Song Ci, a familiar and unfamiliar name. As the originator of forensic science in China, he is the author of the forensic science masterpiece "Collection of Records of Clearing Grievances", which laid the foundation of forensic science in China. However, when we try to delve into the life of this master, we find that his life is full of mysteries, and many questions remain unsolved. What kind of secrets does Song Ci's life hide?
Song Ci was born in Jianyang during the Southern Song Dynasty and was born into a scholarly family. Many of his family members were officials, and he himself studied at the famous Lin'an Taixue, where he studied under the master of science, Zhen Dexiu. It stands to reason that with Song Ci's background, he should have become a Confucian scholar or an ordinary official. But unexpectedly, he chose an unusual path, became a forensic doctor, and wrote a book, becoming one of the pioneers of forensic science in China.
How did this change happen, and where did Song Ci's forensic knowledge come from? This is the first mystery in Song Ci's life. We know that in the Song Dynasty, forensic science was not a mature discipline, and the relevant writings and records were very limited. How did Song Ci accumulate such profound forensic knowledge in such an environment and systematize and theorize it?
Another suspicion is that in the "Collection of Grievances", Song Ci rarely mentions the specific cases he handled. As a veteran forensic doctor, he must have handled many cases, but it is difficult to find the details of these cases in his writings. Does this mean that Song Ci deliberately concealed something, or did he have some unknown secrets in the cases he handled?
What is even more puzzling is that in the literati writings of the Southern Song Dynasty, almost no one mentions Song Ci. You must know that the era in which Song Ci lived was the prosperous period of Southern Song Dynasty culture. A great Confucian like Zhu Xi has lectured in Song Ci's hometown of Jianyang for many years. Jianyang was also a well-known book publishing center at that time. In such a culturally rich environment, Song Ci, a knowledgeable forensic doctor, deserves widespread attention and discussion. But this is not the case, and even Liu Kezhuang, who wrote the epitaph for him, does not seem to be familiar with him. The reason behind this is even more intriguing.
All indications show that Song Ci's life is far more complicated than we imagined. His transformation, his knowledge, his case, his reputation, every seemingly mundane detail, hides an untold story. Perhaps, it is these unknown experiences that have created Song Ci's extraordinary achievements.
As a forensic doctor, Song Ci's work inevitably involves many sensitive and even dangerous cases. In those turbulent times, power struggles and partisanship were fierce. Whether Song Ci was involved in some of these incidents and thus had to keep a low profile? Did he offend some powerful people because of this, causing his name to be deliberately erased? These are all questions that we cannot confirm with certainty, but we have to think about.
Another possibility is that Song Ci himself deliberately kept a low profile. As a forensic doctor, he is well aware of the peculiarities and sensitivities of his work. He may have preferred to focus on his own research and writings rather than get caught up in the political maelstrom of the time. This detachment from the world may be one of the reasons why he has been able to achieve so much in the field of forensic science.
Of course, all this is just speculation. The mystery of Song Ci's life may never be completely solved. But it is these mysteries that add a mysterious color to him, and also make his image more three-dimensional and full.
Song Ci's life is a story about knowledge, justice and humanity. With his profound knowledge and noble character, he set an example for future generations. His "Collection of Grievances" is not only a foundational work of forensic science, but also a monument of human wisdom and justice.
Today, when we look back at Song Ci's life, those unsolved mysteries still attract our attention. But more importantly, it is the precious spiritual wealth he left us. He taught us that the power of knowledge can transcend time and space, and that the voice of justice can penetrate history. His life is destined to be an eternal mystery, but his spirit is an eternal solution.
Song Ci's story is far from over. As time goes on, more historical sources and clues may be unearthed, revealing more of the master's lesser-known side. But in any case, Song Ci has been forever engraved on the monument of Chinese forensic science and even the entire history of China.
As future generations, we may not be able to restore Song Ci's entire life, but we can draw wisdom and strength from his story. On the road of pursuing knowledge and defending justice, Song Ci will always be our lighthouse and guide.
Let us continue to explore the mystery of Song Ci's life with respect and curiosity. In this process, we will not only have a deeper understanding of this master, but also think more deeply about ourselves, human nature, and society. This may be the most valuable wealth that Song Ci left us.