Feng Weimin, Feng Pu, Li Zhifang, Tian Wen, Zhang Duzheng, Hao Yixing, Wang Yirong

Author: Liu Yuxin, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-12-01
Features: Feng Weimin (1511-1580), a late Ming Dynasty qu poet. Born in Linqu, Shandong, he was a Jiajing-era scholar and served as a Tongpan of Baoding Prefecture. He authored works such as Haihu Shantang Ci Gao, Shantang Jie Gao, Shimen Ji, and the zaju Liang Zhuangyuan Bu Fu Lao, as well as the chuanqi Seng Ni Gong Fan. There are differing accounts of Feng Weimin's birth and death dates. Zheng Qian's Feng Weimin Nianbiao (published in Yanjing Xuebao, Issue 28, December 1940, in the article "Feng Weimin and His Works") suggests he was born in Zhengde 6 (1511) and died in Wanli 18 (1590), aged 80. Feng Pu (1609-1691), a Qing Dynasty official. Known as Liao Bo and styled Yizhai, he was from Yidu, Shandong. He passed the imperial examination in Shunzhi 4 and rose to the position of Right Vice Minister of Personnel. In Kangxi 9, he was appointed Minister of Justice, the following year as Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall, and in Kangxi 20 as Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent. He was posthumously honored as "Wenyi." He authored Jia Shan Tang Ji. Li Zhifang (1622-1694), a Qing Dynasty official. Styled Ye Yuan, he was from Wuding (now Huimin), Shandong. He passed the imperial examination in Shunzhi 4 and was appointed as a prosecutor in Jinhua Prefecture, Zhejiang. He was successively promoted to Vice Director of the Left, Governor of Zhejiang Military Affairs, and later served as Minister of War and Personnel, ultimately becoming Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall. He authored works such as Ji Ting Cao, Wenji, and Zongyi. Tian Wen (1635-1704), a Qing Dynasty official and poet. Styled Zilun and Lünxia, styled Yiting, and self-styled Shanjiangzi, later known as Mengzhai, he was from Dezhou, Shandong. He passed the imperial examination in Kangxi 3 and was appointed as a Censor-in-Chief. In Kangxi 19, he was appointed as the Education Commissioner of Jiangnan, in Kangxi 26 as Governor of Jiangsu, and in Kangxi 38 was ordered to oversee the repair of the Gaohai Weihai River Project. He resigned due to illness and returned home. His poetry was renowned alongside Wang Shi and Shi Runzhang. He authored works such as Gu Huan Tang Ji, Qian Shu, and Changhe Zhi Jixie. Zhang Duzheng (1642-1720), a Qing Dynasty scholar. Styled Lijyou, styled Houzhai, styled Kunlun Shanren, and also known as Kunlun Wenshi, he was from Zichuan, Shandong. He was recognized by the Education Commissioner Shi Runzhang in his youth. Living near Kunlun Mountain, he was highly knowledgeable, exceptionally talented, and renowned for his poetry. He authored works such as Ban Fan Fang Jie, Liang Han Gao Shi Zhuan, Wu Dai Shi Fang Jie, and Kunlun Shanfang Ji. Hao Yixing (1757-1825), a Qing Dynasty Confucian scholar and lexicographer. Styled Langgao, he was from Qixia, Shandong. He passed the imperial examination in Jiaqing 4 and served as a chief clerk in the Ministry of Revenue. He was deeply versed in various fields and diligent in writing, authoring over 300 volumes of works, with his masterpiece being Eya Yi Shu. The New History of the Qing Dynasty states that Hao Yixing died in Daoguang 3 (1823) at the age of 69. Wang Yirong (1845-1900), a late Qing Dynasty official. Styled Liansheng, he was from Fushan, Shandong. He passed the imperial examination in Guangxu 6 and held positions such as Compiler, Court Secretary, and Director of the Imperial Academy. In 26th year of Guangxu, when the Eight-Nation Alliance conquered Beijing, Wang Yirong, as the Commissioner of the Capital's Martial Law, seeing the inevitable defeat, bravely took his family and committed suicide by throwing himself into a well, dying for his country. He authored works such as Tianran Tang Cangqi Mulu and Wang Wenmin Gong Yijipin. According to relevant materials, Mr. Zhao Lisheng compiled a one-volume Chronology of Zhang Erqi, and Mr. Wu Kangben compiled a Chronology of Wu Kangben of Haifeng, both planned to be included in this book. I contacted Mr. Zhao Lisheng, who replied on April 12, 2001: "The initial draft of the Chronology of Zhang (Erqi) was very poor and was put aside. During the Cultural Revolution, it was confiscated, and when returned, the draft of the Chronology of Zhang was lost. With the loss of the draft, the project was abandoned. Thus, the Chronology of Zhang lost a child." Wu Kangben, also known as Wu Shuzheng, was the great-grandson of Wu Shifen and a teacher at the Chinese Department of Shandong Normal University (the predecessor of Shandong Normal College). He passed away after the Cultural Revolution. I contacted Wu Kangben's daughter, Wu Shuying, who said, "The manuscript was confiscated during the Cultural Revolution." Unfortunately, these two chronologies no longer exist and cannot be presented to the public.