Su Shi's Chronology

Author: Kong Fanli
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Su Shi (1037-1101), styled Zizhan, initially Heshong, styled Dongpo, was born in Meishan, Meizhou, Sichuan. His grandfather was Su Xu. His father, Su Xun, was a scholar of the Northern Song Dynasty, renowned for his literary talent alongside his sons Su Shi and Su Zhe, collectively known as the "Three Su." They were also three of the eight great prose masters of the Tang and Song dynasties. His mother was Lady Cheng. Su Shi was born on the 19th day of the 12th lunar month in the year Bingzi (1037), which corresponds to January 8, 1037, according to the Gregorian calendar.
In the second year of the Qingli era (1042), at the age of seven, he began his studies and became acquainted with the literary reputations of Ouyang Xiu and Mei Yaojun. In the third year of the Qingli era (1043), at eight years old, he entered primary school, studying under the Taoist priest Zhang Yijian of Tianquan Temple. In the fifth year of the Qingli era (1045), at ten years old, he listened to his mother, Lady Cheng, lecture on the "Biography of Fan Pang" from the Book of Han, and was inspired to aspire to greatness in his time.
In the first year of the Zhihe era (1054), at nineteen, he married Wang Fu, the daughter of Wang Fang, a scholar from Qingshen County, Sichuan. In the second year of the Zhihe era (1055), at twenty, he traveled to Chengdu and paid respects to Zhang Fangping, who treated him as a national treasure. In the first year of the Jiayou era (1056), at twenty-one, he accompanied his younger brother Su Zhe to Bianjing (modern Kaifeng, Henan) to take the imperial examinations. In the second year of the Jiayou era (1057), at twenty-two, in the spring, he and his brother took the examinations at the Ministry of Rites and both passed as (imperial scholars) in the same examination session. Ouyang Xiu highly praised him, saying, "Old man, I must yield this one a place to shine!" At that time, the Su family—father, son, and son—were celebrated throughout the capital. In April, his mother, Lady Cheng, passed away in Meishan, and he returned home to mourn her.
In the fourth year of the Jiayou era (1059), at twenty-four, he and his brother Su Zhe, along with their father Su Xun, traveled again to Bianjing. The poems and prose he wrote during this journey were compiled into the Collection of Southbound Writings. That year, his eldest son, Su Mai, was born.
In the fifth year of the Jiayou era (1060), at twenty-five, he arrived in the capital. He was appointed as the chief clerk of Fuchang County, Henan, and his brother Su Zhe as the chief clerk of Mianchi County, but neither took up their posts. In the sixth year of the Jiayou era (1061), at twenty-six, he participated in the Zhike examinations and ranked third in the third division. He was appointed as a Legal Officer at the Court of Judicial Review and as a Signatory Judge of Fengxiang Prefecture. In November, he bid farewell to his brother Su Zhe in Zhengzhou, composing the "In Response to Zhe's at Mianchi" (Hui'an Zhi Yuan). In December, he took up his post.
Kong Fanli compiled and edited this work, published by Zhonghua Book Company. The book is divided into three volumes, totaling approximately one million words, and is organized chronologically. It provides a detailed examination and collection of Su Shi's life, interactions, and literary works, supported by extensive and well-documented research. The chronological arrangement is appropriate, and the book also includes valuable works not found in the Su Shi Poetry Collection or the Su Shi Literary Collection, making it a highly reference-worthy resource.