Wu Jun Tu Jing Xu Ji

Author: Song Zhu Changwen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-08-01
Features: Wu Jun Tu Jing Xu Ji (A Continuation of the Illustrated Records of Wu Jun) is a privately compiled work by the author Zhu Changwen. Zhu Changwen, styled Boyuan and styled again as Yuepu, was a native of Wu County, Suzhou. He was born in the second year of Emperor Renzong's Kangding reign (1041) and died in the third year of Emperor Zhezong's Yuanfu reign (1100). He passed the imperial examination in the fourth year of the Jiayou era (1059). During the Yuanyou era, he was recommended by Su Shi to become the professor of his home prefecture, later summoned to become a doctor of the Imperial Academy, and subsequently held positions such as Zhengzi of the Secretariat Department and Compiler of the Bureau of Military Affairs. The History of Song Dynasty has a biography of him. Zhu Changwen loved reading and diligently wrote, compiling works such as Lun Sixing Bie Shuo (Discussions on the Six Classics), Hechi Bian (Collected Works of Hechi), Xiutang Zhi (Records of Xiutang), Wumen Zongji (Comprehensive Collection of Wu Gate), and Yuepu Yu Cao (Remnants of Yuepu). Wu Jun Tu Jing Xu Ji was compiled after Zhu Changwen retired and returned to his hometown, during the seventh year of the Yuanfeng era. Regarding the compilation of this book, Zhu Changwen claimed in his own words, "The study of local chronicles has always been highly valued by the sages of old." Since the Han Dynasty, there have been records of customs by Zhu Gan, descriptions of geography by Gu Yewang, and records of the ten circuits by Jia Dian, all of which "were celebrated in the annals of former dynasties." However, "as cities and towns changed, policies and affairs were amended, and populations rose and fell, it was necessary to pay attention." From this, he developed the desire to independently compile a local chronicle. Wu Jun Tu Jing Xu Ji is divided into three volumes: the upper, middle, and lower. In addition to the table of contents at the beginning, the upper volume contains fifteen sections: Territory, Cities, Population, Markets and Streets, Products, Customs, Gate Names, Schools, Government Offices, Nan Garden, Granaries, Sea Routes, Pavilions and Galleries, Governors, and Notable Figures. The middle volume contains six sections: Bridges, Temples, Palaces and Monasteries, Monasteries, Mountains, and Waters. The lower volume contains seven sections: Water Management, Historical Sites, Gardens and Mansions, Tombs, Steles, Historical Records, and Miscellaneous Records. From the table of contents, the book establishes categories based on events, classifying them separately, with more than double the number of categories in Tang Lu Guangwei's Wu Di Ji (Records of Wu Region). It nearly covers all aspects of the situation in the Suzhou region. The categorization of this book is noteworthy for several reasons: First, the categorization emphasizes geography, with the first section focusing on the founding of the Wu Kingdom. Second, the book sets categories based on events, and some sections reflect local characteristics well. For example, since the Suzhou region is near the sea and is densely populated with lakes and rivers, the book specially creates sections for "Sea Routes" and "Water Management," giving them detailed coverage. Third, it pays great attention to local cultural relics and historical sites. Additionally, the book comprehensively integrates ancient and modern information, with rich and abundant data.