Ming and Qing Historical Materials Notes: Mountain Records

Author: Wang Hongzuan (Qing Dynasty), He Benfang
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Features: This book is a collection of the author's reading notes and personal observations. It records materials on Confucian studies, history, linguistics, calligraphy, painting, and the study of inscriptions and stone artifacts, as well as social customs and folk traditions of the time. It holds significant reference value for understanding and researching the social history and academic culture during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The book dedicates considerable space to recording miscellaneous observations, with the author's focus primarily on benefiting society and correcting societal flaws. For instance, in the section on fire prevention regulations, it teaches people how to save themselves after a fire. In the sections on lying on ice and cutting flesh from one's thigh, it rejects the cruel practices of sacrificing children, cutting livers, or amputating limbs in a desperate attempt to seek official commendation. In the sections on paying respects to Buddhist and Taoist monks, it expresses disapproval of Buddhism and Taoism while also advocating for the respect they deserve, considering Cheng Yi's criticism excessive. In the sections on Qin Shi Huang, technology, and Zao people, it criticizes the harm caused by sorcery, such as the harmful practices of Xian technique and Mai Yi face-reading. The recorded observations contain very few supernatural or fantastical events, and they provide abundant material for the study of the history of ancient Chinese social life.