Yanshan Tang Bieji (Complete 4 Volumes)

Author: Wang Shizhen [Ming Dynasty]
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1985-12-01
Features: The Anshan Hall Collection in 100 volumes, compiled by Wang Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty. This book is titled "The Collection," but it is not a poetry and prose collection; rather, it is a historical work. The reason it is called "The Collection" is because "[Yuanmei's poetry and prose have the Anshan Hall Main Collection, while this one contains the anecdotes and records of our dynasty, surpassing the treasures of each generation]." Wang Shizhen himself explained, "[Why is it called The Collection? It contains nothing relevant to Confucian classics or governance, even if it is just the art of writing, it is still like a bird's nest—hence, it is called The Collection]." The Qing scholar Zhou Zhongfu criticized Wang Shizhen for "[not knowing that poetry and prose should be called The Collection]," but this is likely not the case. With Wang Shizhen's erudition, he would not be unaware of this point. Wang Shizhen, in order to expose the euphemisms in the "National History," pointed out the hidden truths in the biographies of officials executed by the Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang under false pretenses, thereby restoring the facts. The Anshan Hall Collection is a valuable historical source that reflects Wang Shizhen's historical thought.