A Chronicle of the Spring River

Author: [Song] He Wei
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1997-12-01
Features: This book consists of 10 volumes, with the first 5 titled Miscellaneous Records. It records tales of immortals and strange events, as well as folk legends, promoting the idea that human life, longevity, official positions, and noble titles are predetermined. It includes prophecies, scriptures, dreams, and the miraculous effects of Taoist practices, most of which are absurd and unfounded. However, it provides insights into the superstitious beliefs of Song Dynasty scholars and officials, as well as folk customs. Occasionally, it contains valuable historical references, such as the price fluctuations of Kaifeng after the Jingkang Incident recorded in the fourth volume under the entry "Zongwei Mianzheng." The sixth volume is The Facts of Su Dongpo, which often cites poems and writings not found in Su Shi's collected works, mostly selected by compilers of lost texts. The seventh volume is Brief Records of Poems and Lyrics or miscellaneous tales of Tang and Song Dynasty poets, with more attention given to the Song Dynasty; it also corrects errors in earlier poets' verses. The eighth and ninth volumes are Miscellaneous Books on the Guqin (Moyue attached) and Records of Inkstones, providing many valuable materials. The tenth volume is Records of Alchemical Pills, which contains many fantastical claims. Initially, this book was published in Baoyantang Secret Jingshu, containing only 5 volumes. Later, Mao Jin obtained the complete version and included it in Jindai Wenshu. However, the Jindai Wenshu edition is missing one page in the ninth volume, so the later Xuejin Taoyuan edition is considered the most complete. Lu Wenqing wrote a single volume titled Supplement to Spring Stream Records of News, which was included in Baojingtang Series.