Xu Xiake, a renowned traveler and geographer in Chinese history, whose footprints covered the length and breadth of the motherland. However, there is considerable controversy about the evaluation of Xu Xiake, and some people believe that he is a "rogue". So, why is there such a statement? This article will analyze Xu Xiake's identity and achievements from multiple perspectives, aiming to present a true image of Xu Xiake.

First, Xu Xiake's background. Xu Xiake, originally named Xu Hongzu, styled Xiake and called Dongli, was a famous traveler and geographer from the late Ming Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty. He was born into a scholarly family in Shangyu District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, so it can be said that Xu Xiake was not born into poverty. However, his family was not wealthy, and his father died early, leading to a gradual decline in the family's fortunes. This made Xu Xiake have to face the hardships of life during his growth process.

Second, Xu Xiake's traveling career. Xu Xiake had a passion for reading since childhood, especially for geography books. After becoming an adult, he decided to abandon the official career and devote himself to traveling. Starting from the age of 22, he embarked on a traveling career that lasted for more than 30 years, covering the length and breadth of the motherland, including today's Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangdong, Guangxi, and other regions. During his travels, he not only enjoyed the beauty of the motherland's vast landscape but also recorded detailed information about the geography, climate, customs, and other aspects of each place. His work "Xu Xiake's Travelogue" is known as the "Eastern Marco Polo" and has had a profound impact on subsequent geographical studies.

Third, Xu Xiake's reputation as a "rogue". The term "rogue" used to describe Xu Xiake mainly stems from his family background and personal behavior. Firstly, although Xu Xiake came from a scholarly family, his family was not wealthy, which made his social status relatively low. Secondly, Xu Xiake chose a path that deviated from mainstream social values by abandoning the official career. In the social environment of that time, such behavior was considered heretical. Finally, during his travels, Xu Xiake had conflicts with locals over minor matters and was even accused of "immoral conduct". These reasons led some people to view Xu Xiake as a "rogue".

Fourth, Xu Xiake's great achievements. However, we cannot negate Xu Xiake's achievements solely based on some personal behaviors and family background. As a great traveler and geographer, Xu Xiake's contributions are invaluable. His "Xu Xiake's Travelogue" has left us valuable geographical data that is highly valuable for subsequent research. In addition, his spirit of adventure and love for the motherland's vast landscape deserve our respect and learning.

In conclusion, Xu Xiake is a complex historical figure who has both a "rogue" side and great achievements. We should view him comprehensively, acknowledging both his flaws and his contributions. In this sense, Xu Xiake is not only a great traveler and geographer but also a brave pursuer of dreams.

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