China's Classic Anthology · Time-Honored Literary Selections. Classification of Ancient Chinese Prose

Author: Tan Guoqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features: This book is divided into two volumes, with its compilation dating back to the Wen Xuan, a collection that was unprecedented before the Liang Dynasty. Emperor Xiaoming established a rigorous and precise system. However, when the Wen Yan Ying Hua emerged during the Song Dynasty, it prioritized quantity over refinement, resulting in a disorganized and collection. The works of Liu Zongyuan, Bai Juyi, Quan Deyou, Li Shangyin, Gu Yun, Luo Yin, and others were included in the entire volume. Yao Xian's Tang Wen Cuie began to trim the excess, following the style of Mu Xiu and Liu Kai, while uniquely elevating the works of Du Gu and Changzhou as the orthodox tradition. However, Gu Heng still had a gap compared to Wei Yanzhong. The Han and Xu clans, as well as the Four Masters of the Jin and Tang Dynasties, still favored parallel prose, placing Han Yu, Liu Zongyuan, Li Shangyin, and Sun Shao in the Complete Tang Anthology, which clearly did not fit. Those who were not deeply versed in literature could not discern the difference.