Ling Wai Da Da Xiao Zhu: Collected Works on the History of Sino-foreign Communications

Author: Zhou Qufei (Song Dynasty), annotated by Yang Wupu
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Features: The Record of the Remote Frontier is the only surviving work of Zhou Qufei, representing his most valuable achievements during his tenure in Guangxi. This book is indeed rich in content and holds significant historical value, earning its place as an immortal work. This can be fully affirmed by examining its significance in the following two aspects:
1. It is an important historical document in Guangxi local history, comprehensive in content and early in time. Guangxi has historically been developed relatively late, with a diverse ethnic population and unique customs. Due to regional differences and varying climates and products, it was often unfamiliar to the Central Plains people, who referred to it as a land of strangeness. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, some northern scholars who visited Guangxi left behind writings, but most were driven by curiosity, bordering on superstition, and were often brief.
2. It is a valuable source for studying maritime trade between China and the West during the Song Dynasty, as well as the ancient history of regions such as the South China Sea, Southeast Asia, West Asia, East Asia, and North Africa in the 12th century. Maritime trade during the Song Dynasty was far more developed than in previous dynasties. The Tang Dynasty established customs posts (huishi jian) to oversee foreign trade, but they were scarce.
In addition to the above two aspects, the book also mentions some areas of present-day Hainan Province and Guangdong Province, which hold considerable historical value for research. Furthermore, it covers topics in biology, folklore, ethnic history, and the history of handicrafts, among others, though these are not elaborated on here.