Heaven and Earth as One Guest: Xie Lingyun's Biography, Series of Biographies of Famous Cultural Figures in Zhejiang Province

Author: Song Hong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: The words and deeds of Xie Lingyun in the book are either based on historical records or deduced from his poems and writings, striving to be realistic and reasonable. For some historical records where the causal relationships are not clear, logical connections are made. For example, why was Xie Huilian, known as a "child prodigy," recognized by Xie Lingyun but not by his father Xie Fangming? The surface reason is that Xie Lingyun loved talent, but did Xie Fangming not love talent? Even if he didn’t recognize Huilian’s talent, did he lack a loving heart for his son? In Xie Lingyun’s case, this is a mystery, but in the biography of Xie Huilian, the answer can be found: because Xie Huilian was involved in a same-sex relationship with a subordinate of his father Xie Fangming, which would naturally cause embarrassment for Xie Fangming, who was the governor of Wuxi. This is the direct reason for the father-son conflict. By comparing and cross-referencing the materials of relevant figures and comparing different sources from the same period, a richer and more realistic understanding can be reached. Therefore, in reading and studying, two ancient maxims must not be neglected: 1. Every book read is beneficial; 2. Relying on books is better than having no books. To pursue the truth, accuracy, and vividness of the record, the author traveled to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in March and April 2004 for field research, tracing the footsteps of Xie Lingyun. The author visited nine locations, including Wenzhou (Yingjia), Shaoxing (Jieli), Shangyu (Shining), Shengzhou, Jinhua (Dongyang), Meicheng, Tonglu, Hangzhou (Qiantang), and Nanjing (Jiankang), covering both land and water, with transportation and vehicles. The journey lasted 15 days, capturing nearly a thousand photographs, obtaining a wealth of firsthand materials, and receiving strong support from old and new friends in various regions. The hardships and rewards of field research, as well as the warm friendships and kindness of friends, have all been woven into the words of the book.