Bao Xi Xiao Zhi

Author: Gu Chuanjin (Qing Dynasty) compiled, Minhang District Office organized
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-07-01
Features: Townships serve as intermediaries between cities and rural areas and play a special role in the process of urbanization. Therefore, urban history research should not only focus on the study of urban districts but should further expand to the level of townships in order to better elucidate the depth and breadth, as well as the radiation and attractiveness of urbanization. Particularly in the current construction of urban-rural integration, uncovering the historical and cultural characteristics of townships is of great practical significance for accelerating the urbanization process of townships and promoting coordinated development between urban and rural areas. Jiangnan is one of the areas with the highest level of urbanization in China today, which is closely related to its historically active urban-rural interaction and numerous towns. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to clarify the rise, development, and fluctuations of townships in this region.
In light of this, Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House has launched the Jiangnan Famous Town Records series, aiming to provide readers with convenient access to the local gazetteers of famous townships in Jiangnan through their compilation and publication. This series differs from general annotated editions of ancient texts, where a few individuals simply punctuate and mark the text. Instead, it invites scholars and experts who were born and raised in these townships to utilize their familiarity with local customs and culture to annotate and organize the texts, correcting all errors and annotating all misinterpretations, making them more reliable and authoritative. Additionally, each township gazetteer is accompanied by ancient and modern maps of the town and color photographs of scenic spots, making the entire series visually rich and engaging.
The series premieres with three titles: Puxi Minor Records, Nanxiang Town Records, and Anting Records. They were all compiled during the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns. The former is actually a record of Qibao Town, which was not published after completion but was only printed from a manuscript in the early days of the People's Republic of China and distributed internally. This time, it is published based on the printed version, supplemented by various manuscripts, marking its first official publication. A comparison table of differences between the two main manuscripts is also included at the end. The latter two were published in the Jiaqing era and underwent revision and re-publication during the Republican period, making them relatively refined. However, this publication still uses the Jiaqing edition as the base to preserve authenticity and ensure credibility.
China has a long tradition of compiling local gazetteers. As early as the Warring States period, the first practices of such compilation emerged. After more than two thousand years of exploration and refinement, it reached its zenith in the Qing Dynasty, not only in terms of comprehensive formats and rich content but also in quantity and quality, covering all types of administrative divisions, including provinces, prefectures, prefectures, counties, and townships, setting a record in history. Statistics show that of the more than 8,000 existing local gazetteers in China, over 5,000 were compiled during the Qing Dynasty, accounting for about 70%, with a significant number being township gazetteers. The aforementioned three gazetteers are products of the heyday of Qing-era township gazetteers. They respectively record the historical evolution, economic, and social customs of Qibao, Nanxiang, and Anting, holding high historical value and serving as important documents for studying the humanistic history of Shanghai.
First, all three towns are ancient towns with millennia of history and have been major sources of tax revenue since the Ming and Qing dynasties. As a result, their administrative structures have undergone frequent changes, and their divisions have been complex. Through careful research and cross-referencing by the compilers, the evolution of each town has been clarified, providing with insights into their origins and development.
Second, all three towns are typical Jiangnan water towns, and their rise and decline are closely tied to the condition of water conservancy and water transport. When water conservancy was well-maintained, merchants gathered, and agricultural activities flourished; when neglected, salt marshes accumulated, and livelihoods declined. This demonstrates that the construction of water conservancy was the top priority in agricultural societies, even for water towns. The vast amount of material preserved in the gazetteers can provide first-hand data for studying the relationship between towns and water conservancy, as well as the operation of the ancient Chinese government's four major policies—river engineering.
Third, all three towns were major producers of cotton, with a thriving textile industry. The locally produced cotton fabrics were diverse, including koubu, biobu, xibu, and jiangbu, known for their smooth texture, thickness, and high quality, renowned nationwide. As a result, the towns were filled with shops and bustling commerce, with a luxurious customs, where weddings and funerals were elaborate, and various cultural and entertainment activities were abundant. Of course, undesirable customs such as gambling, cricket fighting, and opium smoking were also prevalent. The gazetteers provide detailed records of all these aspects, serving as valuable resources for researchers of socioeconomic history.
Fourth, the prosperity of industry and commerce in these towns inevitably fostered cultural development. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Qibao, Nanxiang, and Anting produced numerous talents, not only continuous imperial scholars and prominent officials and scholars but also outstanding commoners, skilled physicians, and master craftsmen. As a result, the region was a hub of culture, often visited by renowned figures such as Zhao Mengfu and Gui Youguang. They gathered in associations, taught students, or met with friends through poetry and painting. The gazetteers preserve many records of their visits and deeds, providing valuable materials for to study the cultural mindset, life interests, and social interactions of Jiangnan scholars during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing periods.
In addition to the above, the numerous poems and articles included in the gazetteers can supplement the gaps in existing literature. For example, Lin Zexu's decree on preserving the Puhui Lake tidal dam in Puxi Minor Records is missing from the Lin Zexu Collection published by Zhonghua Book Company. Four essays, including A Plea for Repairing Yuanquan Temple, in Anting Records, are absent from the Complete Collection of Jading Coin Qian Daixin published by Jiangsu Ancient Books Publishing House. Poems such as Returning to Anting After Failing the Imperial Examination and others are missing from the Collection of Zhenchuan Master published by Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House. In Nanxiang Records, poems related to Nanxiang Temple, such as A Record of Building the Mountain Gate and Bridge and Poems on Nanxiang Temple, were also omitted from The Complete Writings of the Song Dynasty and The Complete Poems of the Song Dynasty. These poems and articles, now scattered and lost, have been compiled in the gazetteers, making it possible to fill the gaps in historical records.
Local gazetteers encompass a wide range of topics and have long been regarded as precious cultural heritage and abundant cultural treasures. Indeed, the Jiangnan Famous Town Records series also belongs to this category. Each gazetteer in the series not only reflects the level and achievements of Qing-era gazetteer compilation but also serves the functions of preserving history, providing governance insights, promoting benefits, and fostering education. It is believed that with their publication, they will have a positive and beneficial impact on urban-rural integration, the advancement of local gazetteer studies, and the development of Shanghai history research.