Qing people's life strolls

Author: Fengerkang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-11-01
Features: What is "social life history" is not uniformly understood in academia. This book does not explore this concept or attempt to comprehensively describe the social life of people in the Qing Dynasty. Instead, it delves into certain phenomena in people's lives during the Qing period based on the author's research insights. The book can be divided into four main aspects: social structure and social issues, families, clans, and marriage, women, and the immigrant society, as well as the lives of notable figures. These topics cover the Qing system, policies, ideologies, production methods, the relationship between social economy and people's lives, the personalities and destinies of historical figures as reflected in their lives, and the role of social life in historical evolution.
Excerpt: The later lives of Qing officials and scholars By the time officials and scholars reached old age, they had already achieved fame and success, and it was fitting for them to enjoy a leisurely retirement, indulging in the joys of family and grandchildren, nurturing their days, and savoring a fulfilling life. Zhao Ji (1727–1814), who passed the imperial examination in 1750, in his sixtieth year (1815), during the Lu Ming Banquet, proudly declared: "In middle age, I returned to the countryside, dedicating myself to writing, and finding great joy in my retirement. When the local examination came around, I was granted a special honor by the emperor, allowing me to attend the banquet with the new class." The satisfaction of his later years was evident in his words. Recently, the author read over a hundred biographical chronicles of Qing figures and recalled the biographies of Qing people he had previously read. He found that while there were those who enjoyed a leisurely retirement like Zhao Ji, there were also many who were restless and even more who could not attain such a fate. If their later years were categorized, they could be roughly divided into the following types.
Those who were passionate about writing The author discovered that many scholars who lived by the pen or officials whose primary duty was writing showed interest in academic research at any age. In their old age, they remained diligent, continuing to write as a pursuit of life, producing a vast body of work. Additionally, many officials who focused on administrative affairs, especially those who passed the imperial examination, had the ability to write. In their later years, they spent their time writing and found great joy in it. When people mention the academic masters of the Ming and Qing dynasties, they inevitably mention Gu Yanwu (1610–1695), Huang Zongxi (1610–1695), and Wang Fuzhi. The philosopher and historian Huang Zongxi, with a prolific output of writings, continued to produce new works and compile his earlier works after turning sixty. He was from Yu, and whenever he read collections of writings, he recorded any passages related to his hometown. At the age of 63 (1672), he published the 15-volume Yaojiang Yi Shi, while also compiling Yaojiang Wenlüe and Yaojiang Suoshì. The following year, he visited the Tianyi Pavilion in Ningbo, copied catalogues of books that were not widely circulated, and other scholars subsequently copied them, ensuring their preservation. In the 14th year of the Kangxi reign (1675), Huang compiled Ming Wencai, a massive work of 217 volumes, later included in the Siku Quanshu. At the age of 67, he completed his masterpiece Ming Rujia Xuesan, a comprehensive overview of the academic thought of the Ming Dynasty. At 71, he self-edited Nanlei Wencai, which was later proofread by his disciples. By the age of 79, he revised Nanlei Wencai, Wo Huiji, Zhuan Zhaoji, and Shushanji,, and compiled them into Nanlei Wen Ding. At 83, he fell seriously ill and completely avoided social engagements, yet he still managed to organize his writings, compiling his insights from reading Shuijing Zhu into Jin Shuijing. Coincidentally, as Ming Rujia Xuesan was being printed and proofread, he dictated an introduction, which his son wrote down. From that year onward, his writings were titled Bingtuo Ji. The following year (1693), he selected 482 volumes of Ming Wenhai and further chose the most essential articles to compile Ming Wen Shoudu. At the age of 86, he passed away peacefully. On his deathbed, he still wrote works such as Zangzhi Huo Wen and Liyuzhou Muling.
As recorded in Huang Liyuzhou Xiansheng Nianshu by Huang Binghou.