Plain Taiping Guangji, Vol. 1-5

Author: Ding Yuzhen/Wang Shi/Yu Qinghua, etc.
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1995-06-01
Features: The Taiping Guangji is a massive book compiled by Song Dynasty scholars. It was named Taiping Guangji because it was completed in the third year of the Taiping era (978 AD). The book consists of 500 volumes and a 10-volume index, specializing in unofficial histories, biographies, and miscellaneous writings primarily by novelists. Approximately 400 sources are cited, usually noted at the end of each entry, though occasional errors have led to variations in names, making precise statistical analysis difficult. A preface now lists 343 sources, but this does not match the actual number cited in the text, likely added by later compilers. The Taiping Guangji is classified thematically into 92 major categories and over 150 subcategories, such as the "Livestock and Beasts" section, which further divides into subcategories like cattle, horses, camels, donkeys, dogs, sheep, and pigs, making it easier to search.
Content-wise, the book contains the most numerous tales, essentially serving as a compendium of pre-Song Dynasty fiction. Many of these works are now lost, and their fragments can only be found here. Numerous Tang Dynasty and pre-Tang Dynasty tales have been preserved thanks to The Taiping Guangji.
Among the most noteworthy volumes are the nine biographical tales from 484 to 492, including The Tale of Li Wa, The Tale of the Old Man of the East City, The Tale of Liu Shi, The Tale of Everlasting Sorrow, The Tale of the Unparalleled, The Tale of Xiao Yu, and The Tale of Yingying. These are all celebrated works that first appeared in The Taiping Guangji. Other famous tales include The Tale of the Ancient Mirror (in the "Objects and Collectibles" category), The Tale of Li Zhangwu (in the "Ghosts" category), The Tale of Liu Yi (in the "Dragons" category), The Tale of Ren Shi (in the "Foxes" category), and The Tale of the Lord of Nanke (in the "Insects" category), all of which are highly regarded.
However, the classification system is inconsistent. Works like The Night Strange Tales of Dongyang (about supernatural beings) and The Tale of the Dragon Maiden (about a dragon princess) are grouped under "Miscellaneous Biographies," making it difficult to locate them by category. This reveals that early Song scholars referred to some Tang Dynasty tales as "Miscellaneous Biographies" without using the term "legendary tales." The Taiping Guangji's classification is indeed convenient for reference and holds significant research value.
Supernatural tales dominate the book, such as the 55 volumes on immortals, 15 on female immortals, 25 on gods, and 40 on ghosts, along with topics like alchemy, sorcerers, strange people, eccentric monks, Buddhist proofs, and the supernatural transformations of plants, birds, and beasts—all fundamentally belonging to the zhi guai (supernatural tales) genre, representing the mainstream of Chinese classical vernacular fiction. Even the later Qing Dynasty Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio series, a neo-classical imitation, remained within this scope.
The 70 volumes on immortals and female immortals, placed at the beginning of the book, highlight the focus of Tang and Five Dynasties fiction and reflect the academic and cultural trends of early Song society. The Tang Dynasty saw intense competition between Taoism and Buddhism. Though Taoism did not dominate, the mythical tales crafted by Taoist priests and literati had a profound influence, producing many beautiful and moving stories. For example, The Tale of Everlasting Sorrow (about a sorcerer searching for Yang Guifei) is a prime example. Many famous Tang tales, such as The Tale of Liu Yi, The Tale of the Unparalleled, The Tale of the Bearded Guest, and characters like Du Zichun, Zhang Lao, and Pei Hang, are also tied to Taoism.
In late Tang and Five Dynasties, the philosophy of immortals flourished, with Du Guangting being a major author of supernatural biographies. The Taiping Guangji includes many of his works. Early Song fiction retained this trend. The compilers placed immortals and alchemy before eccentric monks and Buddhist proofs, clearly showing reverence for the nation's religious and cultural traditions. While tales promoting Buddhist efficacy and karma might attract some readers, their artistic merit pales compared to supernatural stories. Tang fiction often featured celestial maidens descending to earth, elixirs for immortality, and countless miraculous transformations, captivating audiences.
Of course, all supernatural tales are products of fantasy, often carrying pessimistic, escapist religious propaganda, and should be viewed critically. The most representative works of Tang fiction are those that depict real human life most vividly, such as The Tale of Liu Shi, The Tale of Yingying, and The Tale of Li Wa, whose writing styles lean more toward realism.
Chinese fiction matured during the Tang Dynasty. Most Tang works are collected in The Taiping Guangji, while (Ming-Qing) era compilations of Tang fiction are often distorted forgeries. Thus, Lu Xun advised readers to consult The Taiping Guangji for Tang tales.
Beyond Tang works, The Taiping Guangji also includes many from the Han, Wei, and Six Dynasties periods. Most Tang legends that circulated as individual pieces have been included in modern anthologies like Lu Xun's Tang and Song Legendary Tales and Wang Piqiang's Tang Fiction, making them easier to access. However, many lost collections remain unorganized, and to understand the full scope of pre-Song Chinese fiction, one must read The Taiping Guangji.
The Taiping Guangji has had a profound influence on later literature and arts. After the Song Dynasty, compilers of storytelling scripts (huaben), folk songs (quyi), and drama drew heavily from it, adapting many famous tales. For instance, the Romance of the West Chamber, which tells the story of Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying, exists in various versions and is nearly household knowledge. Yet few people know that its source material, The Tale of Yingying, is preserved in The Taiping Guangji.
The Taiping Guangji is a treasure trove of ancient Chinese fiction and is well worth reading.