Rong Zhai

Author: Zhong Lei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The Rongzhai Miscellany is one of the most renowned and distinctive works among the historical commentary notes in Chinese history. The author, Hong Mai (1123–1203), styled Jinglu, styled Rongzhai, styled Yechu, was a native of Poyang, Ruiyang Prefecture (now Poyang, Jiangxi), a famous scholar and litterateur of the Southern Song Dynasty. Hong Mai was known for his extensive knowledge and strong memory from a young age, with broad interests. He extensively read classics, histories, the Hundred Schools of Thought, as well as medical, divination, astronomy, and astrology books. He was particularly familiar with the customs and events of the Song Dynasty and even copied the Zizhi Tongjian three times by hand. In the 32nd year of Shaoxing (1162), he was sent as an envoy to the Jin Dynasty for peace negotiations and was imprisoned in the embassy, enduring three days without food or water. Upon returning to the Song Dynasty, he was dismissed from office for "dishonoring his mission to the Jin." Later, he served as the governor of Quanzhou, Jizhou, Ganzhou, Jianning, and other regions, known for his incorruptibility and administrative talent. In each place he governed, he pacified rebellious civilians and provided relief to the poor. He later participated in compiling the Records of the Four Dynasties and was appointed as a Direct Scholar of the Furen Pavilion and a Scholar of the Dongming Hall. The Biography of Hong Mai in the History of the Song Dynasty describes him as "examining and reviewing historical allusions, delving into classics, and exploring the transformations of ghosts and gods." In addition to The Rongzhai Miscellany, he also wrote the classical fiction Yijian Zhi in 420 volumes, which is considered the pinnacle of supernatural tales of the Song Dynasty. Other works he left behind include Yechu Leigao and Ten Thousand Tang Poems. The Rongzhai Miscellany consists of sixteen volumes each of Miscellany, Continued Miscellany, Third Miscellany, and Fourth Miscellany, ten volumes of Fifth Miscellany, totaling seventy-four volumes. The book covers an extremely wide range of topics, including classics, historical allusions, astronomy, geography, anecdotes, strange tales, the teachings of the Hundred Schools of Thought, and literary and linguistic expressions. Among these, his commentary on classics, arts, philosophy, and historical events is particularly insightful. Hong Mai was renowned for his profound knowledge in the Southern Song Dynasty, especially in history, so the sections related to historical events in The Rongzhai Miscellany are particularly valuable. The materials he examined on the customs and institutions of the Song Dynasty are often details not found in historical records.