Lao Xue An Notes

Author: (Song) Lu You
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-04-01
Features: "Old Learning Pavilion, the foundation of learning, dare not deceive oneself even with the finest detail? Often silent in study, yet the master resides within the closed doors. Through hardship and danger, the true heart is known. Tang and Yu are before my eyes, yet this life is not a sharp horn. This is a poem by the famous Southern Song patriotic poet Lu You (styled Wuguan, styled Fangweng, 1125–1209) inscribed on his study, the Old Learning Pavilion (see Vol. 50 of Jian Nan Shi Gao). The naming of the Old Learning Pavilion dates back to the late Chunxi period (1190), when Lu You retired to his hometown Shanyin (now Zhejiang Shaoxing, near Jinghu Lake). The pavilion was located by the lake, with only two thatched rooms, but backed by green mountains and facing clear waters. For the poet, it was an excellent place for studying and writing. Lu You also explained the meaning behind the name, saying it was "inspired by Shi Kong's saying that 'even in old age, learning is like walking at night with a candle'" (see Vol. 33 of Jian Nan Shi Gao, self-note to the poem "Old Learning Pavilion"). His notes from the Old Learning Pavilion were likely written during this period, though some entries may have been composed earlier, but the final completion must have occurred while he studied by the lake, as otherwise, he would not have used the name of the pavilion as the title. Lu You's youngest son, Lu Ziyu, said: "The Notes from the Old Learning Pavilion were written during the Chunxi and Shaoxi periods by my late Grand Historian father [3]." This statement is largely reliable. Lu You was a renowned poet and a scholar with extensive knowledge. The "Continued Records of Wuxi" described him as "possessing comprehensive learning, extraordinary literary talent, and a deep love for poetry. His other records, memorials, and biographies were equally profound. He was particularly well-versed in the customs, historical developments, and the lives of figures from the preceding dynasties, which earned him a reputation that shone in his time." Among Lu You's numerous works, the Notes from the Old Learning Pavilion may not occupy a large proportion, but the content recorded is rich in personal experiences, observations, and hearsay, making it highly valuable for reference. Among these, there are many records of anti-Jin activities, such as Vol. 1 describing how Emperor Gaozong Zhao Gou "crossed the Yangtze from Weiyang in great haste, with the two ministries still setting up canopies and departing in their chariots, while soldiers and civilians ambushed and assassinated Huang Fangxi with bricks," Vol. 2 recounting how a soldier from the Front Hall Corps assassinated Qin Hui, and other entries detailing how the painter Zhao Guang refused to paint for the Jin army, even at the cost of having his right thumb severed, and how a commoner named Li He, famous for roasting chestnuts in the former Song capital Kaifeng, sent chestnuts to the Southern Song envoy to the Jin court with tears in his eyes while the region was occupied by the Jin. These records reflect the patriotic fervor of the people, their anti-Jin sentiments, and their intense hatred for the Southern Song ruling faction's surrenderists. Regarding the exposure of Qin Hui, Vol. 1 describes how Qin Hui "killed Yue Fei in Lin'an and was met with tears from the people," another entry notes how Qin Hui "when in power, repeatedly accused others of crimes, his authority was terrifying," Vol. 3 records Qin Hui's "Ten Guests," Vol. 2 describes how the Southern Song satirized Qin Hui's deeds as an "unattainable achievement," Vol. 8 details Qin Hui's autocratic and cruel nature, and Vol. 2, Vol. 3, and Vol. 5 separately record how Qin Hui's son Qin Xie and granddaughter acted arrogantly and oppressively. Regarding peasant uprisings, Vol. 3 describes Tong Guan's sale of official ranks during the suppression of Fang La's rebellion, and Vol. 9 recounts the events of Wang Xiaoguo (Po) and Li Shun's uprising, providing insights into peasant movements. The notes also contain extensive on the customs, institutions, and various anecdotes of the time, which are helpful for cultural history research. Additionally, Lu You's "Shanhui Po Discourses" were not passed down, but the notes preserve some materials on poetics, revealing some of his views on poetry composition. Regarding the Notes from the Old Learning Pavilion, predecessors have praised it highly. Chen Zhenzong in "Zhi Qian Shu Lüe Jie" said Lu You "knew his predecessors well and, by the time of his advanced age, his records and anecdotes were truly remarkable. The 'Four Treasuries General Catalogue' described the notes as 'often containing anecdotes and old records that are sufficient for verification.' Li Cimeng in "Yue Man Tang Readings" said it "provides miscellaneous accounts of customs and occasionally examines old texts, all of which are meticulous, and his discussions on historical events and figures are mostly fair." These remarks are not excessive. In summary, the notes are rich in content, serious in tone, and highly informative, making them a standout among the notes of the Song dynasty.