Inspiring tale of philosopher's younger years prompts new IP

Zhou Jiong, who is in charge of the project, says that the thoughts of Wang, and the stories of the Confucian cultural tradition, possess a strong basis and have had a great impact on a global scale.

"This provides us with a chance to reiterate them using contemporary language and methods. Moreover, our goal is to establish a series IP revolving around Wang with a worldwide outlook, which would help enhance the reach of Chinese traditional culture."

He notes that a novel under the new IP will be published in June, while a musical will be rehearsed in October and is expected to tour the country next year.

Youth forums focused on Wang's philosophy are scheduled to take place, along with study tours for young people to follow the path of Wang's pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment. Beginning in Guizhou, the tour will take them to Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces, and eventually to Beijing, where they will have the opportunity to meticulously explore the historical sites and landmarks associated with Wang's philosophical legacy, while also experiencing the natural beauty of the country's landscapes firsthand, according to Zhou.

Li Bo, a researcher of Wang's philosophy and a professor with Nanjing Normal University, says that in today's world where people are confronted with numerous common challenges, learning the thoughts of Wang might help young generations to embrace a brighter future.