Text / Photography by Li Zuomiao

My “elder brother” is Wang Guanzhong. (Photo provided by my brother Guanzhong)

I’ve met and met all sorts of people, so I have many friends. But the friends I truly admire and who are kindred spirits with me are very few.

I have many friends. But when I interact with them, I always feel an invisible distance between us, a sense of bewilderment and melancholy that I cannot express.

Among them , there are either snobbish people, profit-driven people, hypocritical people, or sycophants. Only those with pure hearts and strong inner strength are rare. This confuses me greatly.

However, in the years that followed, amidst the vast sea of ​​people, I finally met Mr. Wang Guanzhong through the TV series “Hankou Wharf,” and we became close friends! This TV series was invested in and produced by him and was broadcast on CCTV.

This is it: those destined to meet will always meet. This is the soul dance of those with a heart. This is it: after a long journey through the darkness, after experiencing all kinds of hardships in the world, at dawn when the chaos dissipates, on the hillside in the wilderness, I finally saw the crimson glow of dawn appear on the horizon.

That was a dazzling dawn, that was the opening of a melody; that was the singer’s spring, that was a magnificent symphony!

Mount Everest, photographed in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, May 2025. Photo by Li Zuomiao.

Mr. Wang Guanzhong is two years older than me. But I had heard about his life experiences and struggles long ago.

He stands tall like a pine tree on a cliff, a boulder guarding a river, a solitary peak standing proudly, forever towering in nature. He withstands wind, rain, thunder, lightning, frost, and snow; the changing seasons and the passage of time; his original aspiration remains unchanged, his integrity unwavering; his will indomitable, he forges ahead with unyielding determination. He remains steadfast amidst the clamor and chaos of the world, amidst the complexities and unpredictability of human nature.

He maintains a clear mind and unwavering resolve. He is not swayed by external influences, nor is he defeated by adversity. Within him lies a vast landscape, its own strength, its own radiance, and its own universe.

In life, Mr. Wang Guanzhong gives the impression that he doesn’t live in a hypocritical world. He doesn’t flatter or fawn; he doesn’t pretend or pander. He doesn’t wear a mask, doesn’t say things against his conscience, doesn’t do things against his conscience, and doesn’t associate with hypocrisy; he doesn’t follow the crowd of worldly sophistication, nor is he bound by worldly gains; he isn’t swayed by rumors, nor tempted by money, material possessions, or women. He rejects superficiality, hypocrisy, and compromise, upholding purity, integrity, and sincerity. He treats people with sincerity, acts with his true self, and walks the path of his original aspirations.

“Moonlight over Gangdisi” (May 2025), photographed in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region. Photo by Li Zuomiao.

Mr. Wang Guanzhong was born on November 20 , 1961, into a scholarly family. He currently serves as the founder and honorary president of the China Laozi Culture ( International) Academy, vice president of the China Academy of Chinese Studies and Calligraphy, curator of the China Longguan Tianxia Art Museum, honorary chairman and vice president of the World Jewelry Association, and chairman of Guanzhong Hong Kong Universal Film Entertainment Co., Ltd. He has visited more than 20 countries in Asia and Europe as the deputy head of the China Folk Art Troupe.

Mr. Wang Guanzhong is also a Level 1 Calligrapher. This is the highest level of professional calligraphy qualification certificate, and the only authoritative and nationally recognized calligraphy assessment level. To obtain the Level 1 Calligrapher qualification, one must pass a professional knowledge assessment and a written examination, and their calligraphy works must reach a certain level or above. Calligraphers at this level are typically individuals who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the field of calligraphy and made significant contributions to its development and inheritance.

Mr. Wang Guanzhong is a person who knows how to cherish, how to be grateful, and how to be humble and respectful of others. He is empathetic, knows his limits, is reasonable, and has a broad mind. He cherishes what he encounters, is grateful for what he receives, and reveres nature. He treats others kindly, without arrogance or impatience; he is humble and unassuming, and has a kind heart. He is a person with warmth in his actions.

During his youth, Wang Guanzhong was recruited into the military as an arts troupe member because of his talent for playing wind instruments. Recalling his time in the army, he excitedly said, “Military life nurtured me and strengthened my will! It made my beliefs as strong as steel, unwavering and resilient!” His military service instilled in him a soldier’s true character and an enduring military spirit. In life, he consistently maintains the integrity and pride of a soldier!

“The Gangdise Mountains,” photographed in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, May 2025. Photo by Li Zuomiao.

At the same time, Mr. Wang Guanzhong was also a man of integrity. He was upright and honest, with a clear conscience and a bright future. He acted righteously and stood firm; he stood tall and went far. He was responsible and had a broad vision; he had integrity and a bottom line. He was true to himself, to his conscience, and to the world.

For decades, he has been self-reliant and unyielding. He remains humble yet assertive in the face of adversity, never retreating in the face of hardship, and never giving up in the face of setbacks. He stands firm on his own integrity, moves forward with unwavering will, and achieves success through hard work. He is neither dependent nor blindly obedient; he never compromises or bows his head.

Having weathered storms, he has become invincible. Mr. Wang Guanzhong will surely achieve even greater glory!

“Soaring Seagulls,” photographed in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, May 2025. Photo by Li Zuomiao.

As the ancients said, “A heart filled with boundless landscapes and a spirit as vast as the mountains and rivers.” Embracing heaven and earth, possessing integrity as one’s soul, resilience as one’s bones, and sincerity as one’s heart—this is the mark of a true Chinese man!

Remain clear-headed and self-possessed in the world, and move forward steadily through the long river of time. Refine yourself in adversity, and persevere in prosperity. Stay true to yourself, uphold integrity; venture to distant places, and follow the righteous path. Be neither arrogant nor humble, neither hasty nor flustered, and never give up. Living authentically is the most solid foundation.

Be the most upright and honorable person in the world. Be yourself—always standing tall, always passionate, always strong—that is the true saint!