Notes of Fan Chengda: Six Types (Series of Tang and Song Historical Materials Notes)

Author: (Song) Fan Chengda
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Fan Chengda, styled Zhi Neng, was from Wu Jun. He passed the imperial examination in the 24th year of the Shaoxing era (1154) and rose to the position of Vice Chancellor. His biography is detailed in the Song History. This book, including its incomplete copies, comprises six extant notebooks by Fan Chengda, arranged chronologically. The first is the Lan Pei Lu, written in the 6th year of the Xining era (1170) during the reign of Emperor Xiaozong of Song. The historical research value of the Lan Pei Lu is very high. This book meticulously records the daily distances and routes from the Song-Jin border at Sizhou (as per the Longxing Agreement) into the Jin territory, as well as the distances between Jin's prefectures, counties, and towns, while also exploring some famous scenic spots and historical sites. These are all primary sources for studying the historical geography of the Jin Dynasty.
Second, the book provides detailed records of the layout of the palaces in Jin Zhongdu. These records often serve as corroboration and supplementation for Volume 24 of the Jin History, which covers the Zhongdu Circuit.
Third, Fan Chengda paid close attention to various people and events, showing that he was a meticulous observer.
Fourth, in the 3rd year of the Shaohui era (1192), when Fan Chengda was still alive, his close friend Lu You read this book and was moved by the passage "Many local elders in the Central Plains shed tears upon meeting the envoys," leading him to compose a quatrain in response (Lu You's poem is included in the appendix of this book).
Additionally, Fan Chengda noted that the common people living in Jin had long adapted to the customs of the northern tribes, with their habits and preferences gradually changing, particularly among the younger generation.