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In the 70s of the 19th century, the United States flourished, the development of the western region entered a climax, one of the great projects, the construction of the Pacific Railroad attracted widespread attention. The more than 3,000-kilometer railroad would span the entire North American continent and become an important part of the modern American transportation system. However, few people know that behind this magnificent project is a labor force from China, known as "piglets", a title that condenses the bitterness and misfortune of their time. They were trafficked to the United States for coolies involved in a high-stakes project, and many died before even reaching their destinations. However, in this labor force, there is a different person, his name is Ding Long. Ding Long's life not only witnessed the hard work of Chinese in a foreign country, but also promoted Chinese culture to the world in an unusual way in the final stage.
After first coming to the United States, Ding Long joined a business run by Carpentier, a wealthy American businessman, and began his life of slavery. However, unlike other "piglets", Ding Long quickly won the trust of his boss because of his sincerity and diligence, and even became a servant in Carpentier's household. The wealthy American businessman has a violent temper, but after a drunken rage to drive all the servants away, Carpentier's remorse and Ding Long's insistence make a huge difference in their relationship. Ding Long quoted the words of Confucius to express his loyalty and sense of responsibility to his master. This positive attitude deeply moved Carpentier and made him deeply interested in the ideas of Confucius. Although they come from very different social backgrounds, this friendship that crosses cultural differences becomes increasingly close.
With Ding Long, Carpentier not only made a lot of money in business, but also became a legend, building the new city of Auckland, founding a bank, and conducting useful business contacts with China. Ding Long's loyalty and wisdom became the mainstay of Carpentier's career, and the friendship between them deepened. After the success of his business in China, Carpentier donated a large sum of money to Guangzhou Boji Medical Hall, an act that is still recorded in the history of Lingnan University. This special friendship not only changed the fate of the two, but also affected the relationship between the two countries.
However, when Ding Long reached retirement age, he insisted on resigning as a servant, much to Carpentier's conflict. While Carpentier can offer a generous pension, Ding Long insists on maintaining a frugal lifestyle and wants to return to China. He gave Carpentier the $12,000 he had saved over the years, but instead of offering something in return, he expressed a shocking wish. He hopes to use the money to support the creation of a sinology department at Columbia University to promote Chinese culture. Carpentier's sincerity and love for Chinese culture moved Carpentier, and although the proposal seemed impractical at the time, Carpentier agreed without hesitation.
Carpentier sent a letter to the president of Columbia University proposing the establishment of a department of Chinese and Chinese languages, literature, religion, and law, naming him the "Ding Long Chair Professor of Sinology." Although the proposal encountered some difficulties, Columbia University eventually accepted the gift and announced the establishment of the Department of Sinology at the graduation ceremony. Carpentier's generous donation also moved the Qing government to some extent, and Empress Dowager Cixi and other officials also made donations. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, Ding Long's name first appeared in American statistical reports, and his identity was listed as a Chinese domestic servant in Carpentier's residence. At this point, Ding Long's dream was realized, and Carpentier's donation became an important support for the study of Chinese sinology.
However, Ding Long's later life became a mystery. Although there are sources that he spent his later years with Carpentier, there is almost no record of his life after 1906. There is speculation that he may have died between 1906 and 1910, or that he returned to China before that and did not return to the United States. Although Ding Long's fate in his later years is so mysterious, Columbia's Department of Sinology will forever remember his name in honor of his contributions to Chinese culture. This department has trained many Sinologists, and everyone who comes here has heard the saying: "Let's remember Dean Lung!" ”
Ding Long, an ordinary Chinese, lived bravely and tenaciously in a foreign land, touched a wealthy American businessman with his good deeds and courage, and finally left a special mark in world history. His story shows us that even in the face of adversity, the resilience and wisdom of Chinese can change the world, and this is their true strength.
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