In the interview, Professor Shi Jirui shared his deep interest in and research journey through ancient Chinese literature, particularly Song dynasty poetry. Born in Chicago, USA, Professor Shi came into contact with German poetry while exploring his family heritage, which sparked a strong interest in poetry. While studying Chinese at the University of California, Berkeley, he was influenced by his teacher Chen Shixiang, which set him on the path to researching ancient Chinese literature. Although the process of learning Chinese was filled with challenges, the encouragement from Professor Chen and the literary works he recommended, such as the "300 Tang Poems," allowed Professor Shi to appreciate the charm of classical poetry. During his time studying Chinese in Taiwan, two teachers, Wu Xuanchen and Yu Dacheng, further fueled his interest in classical literature. In particular, Teacher Yu's suggestion to focus on post-Tang poetry had a significant impact on his later research.

During his master's and doctoral studies at the University of British Columbia in Canada, Professor Shi received guidance from several mentors, including Li Qi, Edwin G. Pulleyblank, and Ye Jiaying. Teacher Ye's extensive knowledge and freedom in guiding students allowed him to delve deeply into his areas of interest. Professor Shi chose to study the poetry of Yang Wanli from the Song dynasty, partly because of the rich content and natural style of Yang's poetry, and partly inspired by Zhou Ruchang's annotated "Selected Works of Yang Wanli." He believes that Song dynasty poetry has its unique qualities in both content and style and should not be overlooked.

Professor Shi also explored the influence of Song dynasty poetry on late Qing poetry, particularly the connection between the Song Poetry School and the "modernity" of late Qing poetry. He pointed out that Song poetry emphasizes rationality, a quality that was continued and developed in the late Qing period. Late Qing poets like Zheng Zhen not only demonstrated an interest in technology in their poetry but also showed profound insights into social realities, reflecting the emergence of a local Chinese consciousness of modernity. Professor Shi believes that Zheng Zhen's poetry integrates emotion, scholarship, and knowledge, a fusion that represents an ideal state of poetic creation. He also mentioned that some poets in the late Qing period, such as Li Shuchang, Li Ruqian, and Huang Zunxian, were able to combine Western modern technology and culture with traditional Chinese culture after being exposed to Western modern technology. This integration reflects both the internal development of Chinese literary tradition and the exploration of modernity.

In terms of teaching, Professor Shi emphasized the importance of interest and personal life experience in learning ancient literature. He believes that students should first develop an interest in literature and then use their own life experiences to understand and appreciate classical poetry. While teaching classical literature at the University of British Columbia, Professor Shi focused on cultivating students' independent thinking abilities, encouraging them to read original texts, question existing viewpoints, and propose their own insights. He believes that there are still many issues in the writing of Chinese literary history, and scholars need to approach research and discussion with a more rational attitude.