Yangzhou Zuzhenglu -- A Collection of Local Documents on Yangzhou

Author: (Qing) Jiao Xun, compiled by Xu Weiping, edited by Xu Weiping
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-09-01
Features: The Record of Yangzhou, compiled by Jiao Xun of the Qing Dynasty. Jiao Xun, styled Litang, also known as Litang, later styled Litang Laoren, was a native of Ganquan County (now Yangzhou, Jiangsu) in the Qing Dynasty. Born in the 28th year of the Qianlong reign (1763) and died in the 25th year of the Jiaqing reign (1820). Jiao Xun was erudite and possessed extraordinary insight. After passing the provincial examination in the Jiaqing era, he became disinterested in official career and devoted himself to studying and writing in his later years, gaining fame for his extensive and profound scholarship. He excelled in the study of classics, history, mathematics, phonology, and etymology, and was proficient in poetry, prose, medicine, opera, and the works of various schools. He was particularly skilled in the Shou Yi (Hand Yi) and was an outstanding representative of the Yangzhou school, earning the reputation of a "learned scholar." The Record of Yangzhou collects 300 works related to Yangzhou by scholars, literati, and reclusive scholars from the late Ming to early Qing and the Jiaqing era. These include various types of writings such as chronicles, biographies, prefaces, postscripts, annotations, letters, records, inscriptions, memorials, invitations, decrees, responses, and eulogies. Jiao Xun gathered these works through three means: first, collecting existing published editions. Second, compiling some works that had not yet been published but later lost. For example, the Complete Works of Lin Huichang included Jiao Xun's compilation of Wang Fangqi's Postscript to the Biography of Wu Yuan Ci, the Songquan Collection included his compilation of Wang Youdun's Biography of the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy and Minister of Personnel, Posthumously Honored as Wen Su Wang, the Zhang Family Genealogy included his compilation of Zhou Yi's Biography of Zhang Diluan, Song He's Biography of Zhang Jin, and Biography of Zhang Diluan, etc. Works such as those listed in The Draft History of the Qing Dynasty: Art and Literature Catalogue, Supplement to the Draft History of the Qing Dynasty: Art and Literature Catalogue, and Jiangsu Art and Literature Catalogue: Yangzhou Volume are either omitted or listed as lost. Third, single articles that had not yet been compiled or published. Among them are works by renowned scholars of the time, such as Zhu Yizun, Cheng Yaotian, Zhang Xuecheng, Wang Chang, Sun Xingyan, Ruan Yuan, and Shi Zhao, among others. Some of these works were not included in their published collections. For instance, Ruan Yuan's Biography of Chen Tai Shi, which records the actual events of Chen Huyao being summoned by the Kangxi Emperor for an examination of mathematical skills and appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, is not found in The Collection of Yanjing Studio. Thanks to The Record of Yangzhou, later generations can still access many rare or lost historical documents.