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Geng and Feng Yuan-jun. These tasks required him to study extensively literary and
historical materials, setting a sound foundation for his future research. In 1973, he
participated in writing History of Chinese Novels, in charge of novels in wenyan
(classical Chinese). Later on, he invited Professor Hou Zhongyi to co-compile
Chinese Novels in Classical Chinese: A Bibliography published in 1982.
In 1978, Professor Yuan published an article titled ―Vertical Approach‖ And
―Horizontal Approach‖ in Guang Ming Daily. It was not a long article, but it was the
first for Professor Yuan to publicly express his own academic aspiration, signifying a
new beginning of his academic career. According to the article, the Vertical
Approach is treating literature as literature, emphasizing research on the occurrence,
development and failing of every phenomena, style and school, research on
achievement of writers of each historical era as well as these writers‘ generational
role and impact. The goal of Vertical Approach is to obtain historical clarification of
literature development of the last three thousand years. The ―Horizontal Approach‖ is
to study literature in connection with studies of history, philosophy, religion, art as
well as natural science, and to identify patterns from the interdisciplinary insights. He
believes there will be more new discoveries, even some new subject areas of study
when combining the Vertical and Horizontal Approaches in researching the literary
history from broader perspectives.
In 1987, Professor Yuan published Study on the Art of Chinese Poetry, followed by
publication in Japan in the Japanese language of the first volume and the entire set
in the Korean language in Korea. The book received the highest award in 1991 of the
Beijing Municipal publications and the special award in 1992 from the State
Education Commission. The recognition from the academic circle brought much
delight to Professor Yuan, yet, whenever he speaks of the book, he would talk about
the elegant and gracious preface by his mentor Professor Lin Geng, reflecting his
gratitude as well as the harmonious echoes of souls of the two generations of
scholars.
In 1994, Professor Yuan published General Study on Chinese Poetry, a collaboration
with his students Professors Meng Erdong and Ding Fangjiao. The book received
numerous awards as well.
Professor Yuan increasingly perfects his academic distinction as he advances his
scholarly research and achievement. He believes there are only two ways of
academic research: one is to simplify a complicated matter, and the other is to
analyze a simple matter meticulously. He gives emphasis to three prerequisite
characters of a scholar: first, ultra respect for and complete devotion to the
profession; second, immense modesty and tolerance without arrogance or bias; and
third, high standard of moral character. Professor Yuan observed that icon scholars
in recent history all share the same character of possessing broad academic views
and perspectives, of an ability to lead and be receptive to all circumstances, to
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