Five books

Author: Jiang Gai (Ming), Xie Yao et al. (Qing), edited by Gao Hongjun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: This book collects five rare works from the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as Jiang Gai's Remnants of the Flowing View Hall Poetry Collection, Xie Yao's Remains of the Pine Studio, Chen Chong's Poetry Collection of the Flower Pavilion, and Zhu Rong's Record of Loyalty and Righteousness. All the original texts are manuscripts or unique copies, holding significant documentary value. The Flowing View Hall refers to the posthumous manuscripts of Mr. Jiang Zhenwen of Laiyang. After the Ming dynasty collapsed, Mr. Jiang abandoned his family and fled to Suzhou, where he wrote extensively. His poetry was filled with indignation and lamentation. At the age of forty, he was suddenly summoned to the imperial court. Commentators believed that his righteous heart and sorrowful tone hastened his demise, and this was not without reason. In the Guangxu era, during the year Wuzi, after completing his mourning duties, Yi Rong visited the Viceroy Zhang Langqi in Jin Province. At the time, he was preparing to publish the works of his predecessors and was asked to collect Mr. Jiang's poetry and prose collections. After a long time, he found nothing. Upon inquiry with the Jiang family descendants, they said that Mr. Jiang's older brother, Zhenyi, had once compiled his brother's manuscripts and intended to have them published, with a poem commemorating the event. However, the Jiang family in the north had not seen this collection and may have also had the intention but failed to achieve it. Alas, perhaps this is the case. Later, Yi Rong sent urgent letters, urging the full manuscript. Ultimately, nothing could be gathered, but dozens of pieces were obtained and printed, leaving a lasting legacy in the world. His heartfelt efforts can be somewhat comforted. And of Mr. Jiang's works, at least a tenth have been preserved out of the thousands, preventing them from being completely lost.