Yuzhang Congshu (Volume 6 of the Collection Division)

Author: Tao Fulu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-11-01
Features: The Yuzhang Series is a large-scale series of local literature in Jiangxi, with the most extensive volume and richest content. It consists of two sets. One set was compiled by Tao Fulu, including twenty-six books and forty-eight volumes. The other set was compiled by Hu Sijing, including one hundred and thirteen books and six hundred and fifty volumes (according to the original book's statistics; appendices and collation notes are not included). Although both sets share the same name, none of the books are repeated between them. They collectively include one hundred and twenty-nine works from the Tang Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty, totaling six hundred and ninety-eight volumes. Except for Lushan Annals and Western Jiangxi Poems of the Ming Dynasty, which were compiled by scholars from other provinces, the rest are the works of Jiangxi's former scholars. Examining their content and value, the authors have diverse backgrounds and interests, and their writings cover all aspects of Chinese history and culture. For example, the Eight Histories of Ming People record historical facts of the Ming Dynasty, while the Compendium of Neo-Confucianism reflects the Neo-Confucian thought of the Song and Ming dynasties. This clearly demonstrates that the Yuzhang Series holds significant importance in transcending regional boundaries and encompassing profound and extensive knowledge.
It is well-known that Jiangxi is renowned as a land of "abundant natural resources and outstanding talents." Particularly since the Song Dynasty, it has been culturally prosperous, with an abundance of literary works, enjoying a high reputation nationwide. However, for a long time, Jiangxi's local literature, whether in the form of complete collections or miscellaneous writings, has largely appeared as standalone works or even as privately printed and preserved manuscripts, rarely circulated. Some of them remain in manuscript form and are reluctant to be shared.