讀後心得

The Superior Trading Company in San Francisco's Chinatown, founded by Zhong Beiqian and his wife Zhong Lin Baoyu, has concluded its journey of more than 60 years following their deaths. This family business was a pioneer in the Chinese herbal medicine industry in the United States, having introduced Korean ginseng and maintained long-term cooperation with the South Korean government. Established in 1959, Superior Trading Company not only was the first to procure American ginseng in the 1970s but also brought in large quantities of traditional Chinese medicine and herbs after the opening of trade between China and the U.S., becoming a commercial model in Chinatown. The couple was known for their integrity in business and service to the community, actively supporting local charities and demonstrating a profound sense of family and social responsibility.

The Bao Qian Chang Ginseng and Herbal Medicine Shop in San Francisco's Chinatown officially concluded its more than sixty-year history. This store, operated by founder Zhong Bei Qian and his wife Zhong Lin Bao Yu, was not only a pioneer in the Chinese medicine industry in the United States but also witnessed the struggles of a generation of Chinese immigrants.

Established in 1959, Bao Qian Chang initially operated as a grocery and ginseng and herbal medicine shop, becoming the first agent to introduce Korean ginseng to the United States, establishing an exclusive partnership with the South Korean government that lasted for decades. The store innovatively represented the Tiger Brand Universal Oil for nearly 20 years and has maintained cooperation with the Kyoto Nin Jiom Herbal Cough Syrup for over 50 years, establishing its pivotal position in the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine.

In the 1970s, Bao Qian Chang was the first to deeply engage with Wisconsin, establishing a direct procurement system for American ginseng, helping the state become a premium production area for ginseng while also establishing connections with several well-known suppliers in Asia. As a pioneer in the American herbal medicine industry, Bao Qian Chang was the first Chinese company to travel to Wisconsin for procuring and promoting American ginseng, earning a solid reputation in the industry for selling high-quality authentic American ginseng.

At the end of the 1970s, Bao Qian Chang seized the opportunity of the opening of Sino-American trade, significantly introducing best-selling Chinese patent medicines and herbs, laying the foundation for the development of the Chinese medicine system in the United States. The business adhered to the operation philosophy of “fair prices and honesty,” earning the trust and affection of community residents and demonstrating the integrity of Chinatown's spirit.

The couple raised their children through their entrepreneurial journey while diligently running the Bao Qian Chang ginseng and herbal medicine shop until its closure in 2017. This entrepreneurial journey not only realized the American Dream but also became a model of business ethics in Chinatown. Zhong Bei Qian and Zhong Lin Bao Yu wed at the Old St. Mary’s Cathedral and lived their lives in faith, becoming residents of the parish until they could no longer attend Mass.

Zhong Lin Bao Yu was a shrewd businesswoman and also a dutiful daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother who always worked hard to convey family values to her family. Despite the thriving business, the couple never forgot to give back to society. They were important pillars of the San Francisco Chinatown community, contributing time and money to support various social causes, including the Tung Wah Hospital, St. Mary’s Chinese School, and St. Mary’s Chinese Day School, selflessly giving back to society and benefiting the overseas Chinese community.