Abstract：Zhang Jian's patriotic thought experienced a transition from loyalty to his sovereign to bu min hu guo(without people,without nation),as other elites of modern China.They realized that if they wanted to reform their country radically and to make her strong,they must resort to the public's spiritual and material sources.In modern Chinese history,China had always been invaded by imperialistic countries,so that popular feelings,popular discontent and financial resources of the people would easily integrate with national indignation.This indignation was very cherishable,but if it couldn't be sublimated to a rational sense,it would be misled into general exclusionism.Zhang Jian is admirable in the fact that he realized this danger and stuck to rational practicalism.At the same time,he carried out his patriotism in educational,economic and political reform,even risked everyone's condemnation for it.It is a crucial problem to develop this rational patriotism and how to defend and develop national interest,when we are currently promoting patriotic education.
