Classics of Ancient Chinese (Volume 1 and 2): Treasury of National Literature

Author: Wu Di Hou (Qing Dynasty), Wu Chu Cai (Qing Dynasty) (editors)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-02-01
Features: Guwen Guanzhi is a comprehensive collection of ancient prose selections, consisting of 12 volumes, completed before the 34th year of the Kangxi reign (1695). The book includes 222 prose pieces from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty to the late Ming Dynasty in China. Although it has fewer selections compared to some other anthologies, it prioritizes what is important and de-emphasizes what is less significant. As a result, the book has remained popular for 300 years since its publication and has become one of the most widely circulated and influential prose anthologies since the Qing Dynasty. The phrase "Guanzhi" (meaning "the ultimate") comes from the Zuo Zhuan, implying that after reading these perfectly exquisite articles, there is no need to read any others. Therefore, the compilers of the book indeed devoted considerable effort to the selection process, carefully considering the dynasties, genres, and artistic and ideological qualities of the works. Objectively speaking, most of the selected articles are of high quality, such as Cao Jie Lun Zhuan (Discourse on the Battle of Cao Ji), Gong Zhi Qian Jia Dao (Gong Zhi's Advice to Borrow a Path), Zhao Gong Jian Li Wang Mi Bang (Zhao Gong's Advice to King Li Against Slander), Guo Qin Lun (Discourse on the Fall of Qin), Lun Gui Su (Discourse on the Importance of Grain), Bao Ren An Shu (Letter to Ren An), Taohuayuan Ji (Record of the Peach Blossom Spring), Shi Yue (On Teachers), Bu She Zhe Shuo (Discourse on the), Shizhong Shan Ji (Record of Shizhong Mountain), Qian Chi Bi Fu (Preface to the Red Cliff Ode), Bao Liu Yijiang Shu (Letter to Elder Liu), and Wuren Mu Bei Ji (Epitaph for the Five Heroes). These are all widely known masterpieces, and the genres include discourses, biographies, lyrical prose, practical essays, travel writings, and fables, covering almost every category. It can be said that the book largely reflects the general outline of the development of Chinese prose and the rich diversity of its genres. In terms of organization, the book is divided into seven periods chronologically, with the era as the vertical axis and the authors as the horizontal axis. Each period features key authors and works. This approach breaks away from the traditional and often complex classification by genre, allowing readers to clearly grasp the evolution of classical prose and the distinct styles of different authors. These are the reasons why the book has won the admiration of readers across different eras.