Zhang Jian (1853-1926), whose ancestral home is Changshu, Jiangsu, was the number one scholar in the late Qing Dynasty. He was a famous industrialist and educator in modern China. He advocated "saving the country through industry" and "saving the country through education". Zhang Jian founded more than 20 companies and more than 370 schools in his life, which not only benefited one area, but also had an impact across the country. Zhang Jian's achievements are closely related to the good family tradition and family training he accepted and practiced.

Unlike many famous people in history who wrote their own family precepts, Zhang Jian’s family precepts were compiled from the famous sayings of seven ancient people between the Han and Song Dynasties. They were named "Family Precepts" and were engraved on a stone screen. patio. "Family Commandments" collects many aphorisms from the ancients on cultivating one's moral character, such as "If you receive blessings, you will be arrogant and extravagant, and if you are arrogant and extravagant, you will suffer disaster", "Quietness is used to cultivate one's moral character, frugality is used to cultivate virtue", "Don't interact with others rashly", etc. In the biography of his father written by Zhang Jian's son, Zhang Xiaoruo, he summarized the main purpose of "Family Commandments" into eight words, namely "Be content with poverty, be happy with morality, be independent and self-respecting". This not only absorbs the essence of ancient family training, but also is Zhang Jian's inheritance and condensation of his family's family tradition.

Zhang Jian said in the opening chapter of "Family Commandments", "If the words and deeds of the past are sufficient to teach the Dharma, there will be a "Shu Xun"." "Shu Xun" was written by Zhang Jian on his father's orders when he was young. It describes the inheritance and evolution of the family, especially the family's fine family tradition. Zhang Jian once recalled that his father "strongly established good righteousness" and "although he was poor, he did not ask for help from the rich; although he was a farmer, he did not impose punishment on powerful people." He also recalled what his father often taught: "Since ancient times, there is no limit to man's destiny. If humans are lazy, then the sky will be poor." "Being light and heavy is a sign of nobility and inferiority. People must not be humbled by lightness, and never be noble by weight." And Zhang Jian His mother also warned him when he entered the local government that "a gentleman will not accept favors lightly" in order to maintain the character of "independence and self-respect".