Teng Zijing was exiled to govern Balin County

Author: Shen Ji'an, Wu Xinhua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: This book takes the life journey of Teng Zijing, who was exiled to Yuezhou six times during the Song Dynasty, as its main thread. It portrays a local official who was detached from the factional struggles and deeply beloved by the people. Amid the grip of imperial power, he utilized limited resources to suppress bandits, combat corruption, promote integrity, fight floods, provide disaster relief, rescue orphans, promote education, care for families, support commerce, foster culture, and dedicate himself selflessly until his death. Through his upright yet tragic life, he offers a model of people-centered political civilization for rulers across generations. The spirit of "feeling the sorrow of the people before they do and rejoicing with them after" as expressed in the timeless masterpiece "Record of Yueyang Tower" remains admired by political figures worldwide. This novel vividly depicts the social and political life of the twenty-five years from the first year of Emperor Renzong's Tianshi era (1023 AD) to the seventh year of the Qingli era (1047 AD). The two authors have collected extensive historical materials and, based on reasonable imagination and fiction, have realistically recreated the historical backdrop of the Northern Song Dynasty under Emperor Renzong. This reconstruction allows readers to forget their present circumstances and immerse themselves in the historical setting, experiencing firsthand the unpredictable political storms and distant, mysterious customs of the Northern Song era. The temporal and spatial distance thus provides readers with aesthetic pleasure and enjoyment. The historical backdrop presented in this novel is vast, reflecting the rich and profound social life. The corruption within the imperial court, the suspicion among court officials, the treachery and factionalism among ministers, the cruelty of local officials, and the destitution of the lower classes are all vividly brought to life for the readers.