Shūlín Qīnghuà Shūlín Yúhuà Jiùjí Xīnkan

Author: Ye Dehuai
Publisher:
Publishing Date: April 1, 1999
Features: The mountains of Suzhou are majestic and lush; the waters of Taihu are clear and gentle. Thus, its people are outstanding, and the customs are sincere and simple. Du Mu chose to live by the Canglang River, and Yu Shang took the name "Fisherman's Ridge." Those who traced their roots to other provinces still yearn for this land, let alone those who originated from it! Ye Huanbin, the Minister of Personnel, is a descendant of Mr. Song Shilin and has lived in Dongting Mountain since generations. During the Daoguang and Xianfeng eras, he fled the chaos of the Cantonese rebels and moved to Hunan, settling in Changsha. Huanbin passed the imperial examination as a native of Xiangtan, served as an official in the Ministry of Personnel, but disliked official life and stayed home to care for his parents. He deeply studied classical texts, calligraphy, geography, and literature, and also explored astrology, medicine, feng shui, and Buddhist scriptures, mastering all of them. He collected all kinds of books, inscriptions, calligraphy and painting, ceramics, and coins. He personally created Xiyuan Garden, enjoying its beautiful scenery of water and trees. His brothers, sons, and nephews joined him in appreciating art, making it a source of joy in life. Friends across the country envy his tranquil happiness. In recent years, the turmoil in Hunan led to the migration of the people, and Huanbin returned to his ancestral home in Suzhou.
Suzhou has long been a major center of learning, with scholars such as the Hui family (father and son), Song Yuting, and Chen Shoufu in textual research; Chen Jingyun, Gu Qianli, and Zhang Shao'an in textual criticism; and Xu Chuanshi, Huang Yaopu, and Wang Langyuan in collecting. None of these achievements can be matched by ordinary people. Huanbin, in particular, had an exceptional understanding of the origins of book printing and engraving, tracing it back to the Tang Dynasty and continuing to the present day, even seeking overseas materials. His collection of old prints, fine copies, and famous collectors' seals—such as He Benxian and He Benbei—was as familiar to him as his own throat and fingers. This collection, The Whisperings of the Book Forest, imitates the Discussions on Stones by his family member Ju Chang, and compares to Yu Lichu's Mills and Salt in preserving the legacy of past scholars and opening new paths for future generations. Qiansun also shared a similar passion for bibliography. During the Dingmao examination in Sichuan, he was inspired by his teacher Li Shunde to study bibliography. For over fifty years, he never ceased his efforts. Reading The Whisperings of the Book Forest, I find that everything he has said aligns with my own thoughts, though there are also aspects I had not considered. His adherence to the subtle meaning of "a humble citizen of the Song Market" and his rejection of the narrow views of "The Heavy Literature Studio" resonate deeply with me. Huanbin found joy in returning home rather than suffering from the chaos. Just as Cao Chuang, who lived in Tiao, still completed the Birds and Flowers of Juhua, and as Bai Shi, who had long resided in Shanyang, took the name "Hidden Valley," few people like you have truly practiced this. However, the academic tradition of Jiangsu has declined, and it is hoped that you will rise to revitalize it.
On the day of the winter solstice in the year Zhuangong, Jiangyin's Miao Qiansun wrote this preface.