Southern Tang Emperors' Lyrics (Shuyunlou Series)

Author: Li Jing (Southern Tang), Li Yu (Southern Tang)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-06-01
Features: Li Jing and Li Yu, the two emperors of the Southern Tang dynasty, are among the few lyric poets in Chinese history who were universally beloved by people across all social strata. Their lyrics broke through the restrictive conventions of the Five Dynasties era's "Flowers and Jade" style, with Li Jing often employing metaphor and allusion, skillfully conveying melancholy sentiments, while Li Yu predominantly used the narrative style, achieving a natural and unrestrained expression with no trace of artificial emotional manipulation. Especially Li Yu, in his later years, experienced the pain of national subjugation, and his lyrics flowed forth from blood and tears, rarely polished, possessing high aesthetic value.
The "Jinxiang" (pocket-sized) edition originated in the Southern Qi dynasty and flourished during the Song dynasty. From the Ming and Qing dynasties onwards, new designs emerged with each generation. The term "Jinxiang" refers to small portable boxes used in ancient times to store handkerchiefs and other miscellaneous items.，，，，；，，。，“”，。，，；，。，；，，，，。，，，；，；，；，；，，。，，，，、，，。，；，。“”，，。。
The "Jinxiang" (pocket-sized) edition originated in the Southern Qi dynasty and flourished during the Song dynasty. From the Ming and Qing dynasties onwards, new designs emerged with each generation. The term "Jinxiang" refers to small portable boxes used in ancient times to store handkerchiefs and other miscellaneous items.
The ancients carried these boxes with them, whether walking or sitting, and read at any moment. Books were always kept handy, so the size was reduced to fit into the "Jinxiang." This allowed for easy portability while traveling and convenient reading while resting. Leisurely moments were spent enjoying these small books. Thus, although the "Jinxiang" edition is considered a minor branch in the forest of books, it upholds the principle of "learning and practicing at regular intervals" as advocated by Confucius, and its contributions are significant.
However, in recent times, with the influence of Western culture, books have increasingly adopted Western-style bindings, becoming more elaborate and cumbersome. Carrying them is like a burden, and reading while lying down becomes difficult. Worse still, some publishers prioritize outward appearance over substance, treating the book like a mere decoration, misleading readers and drifting farther from the true essence of reading.
The "Ancient Books Society" created the "Jinxiang" series with a clear purpose, drawing on the strengths and weaknesses of past editions. The goal is to return to simplicity and elegance, promoting national culture; to keep the design small yet comprehensive; to keep the price affordable while selecting high-quality versions; to choose appropriate titles while emphasizing personal charm and poetic interest; to organize them by category while allowing for individual purchases or collections that delight readers.
With fragrant paper, vibrant printing, meticulous proofreading, and dynamic layouts, this series demonstrates great effort and dedication to small publications, making them irresistible upon first sight. As the saying goes, "Mountains need not be high to be divine; books need not be expensive to possess charm." Therefore, the series is named "Shuyun Lou," and refined gentlemen will surely appreciate its essence. This is the preface.