Complete Notes on the Song Dynasty: Volume 1 (3)

Author: Zhu Yian
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-10-01
Features: Upon reviewing this book, the editor found the following characteristics: First, the book scientifically defines the term "notes" and strives to collect as many notes written by Song Dynasty scholars as possible, truly reflecting the "comprehensiveness" of the Complete Notes of the Song Dynasty, avoiding omissions and disorganization. The compiler insists that "notes" are "impromptu records rather than deliberate compositions," limited to "collected works of notes by Song Dynasty scholars," excluding "scattered individual notes that have not formed a complete collection," "specialized collections with focused themes and rigid structures," such as "poetic discussions, sayings, genealogies, Tea Classics, Painting Spectra, Records of Renowned Officials, Official Precepts, etc." Of course, it also excludes novels and biographies that narrate stories in detail. Comparing this book with the Grand Collection of Note Novels published by Taiwan's Emerging Book Company in 1984, the latter, while including many notes by Song Dynasty scholars, has two shortcomings: first, it mixes Song Dynasty notes with fiction, genealogy, popular narratives, poetic discussions, etc., and second, some of the versions are not refined. Of course, the author evaluates this book only from the perspective of Song Dynasty notes and does not deny its overall documentary value. Comparing it with the Comprehensive Collection of Notes and Novels of the Song Dynasty published by Hebei Education Press in 1995, the latter has the following shortcomings: first, it only includes 188 notes by Song Dynasty scholars, and some important notes are inexplicably excluded, such as Hong Mai's Rongzhai Xueshi, Zhou Mi's Guisin Zazhi, Zhou's Qingbo Zazhi, Wang Guanguo's Xuelin, Yue Ke's Muchen Shi, Luo Daqing's Helin Yulu, Wang Bizhi's Mianshui Yantalu, Ouyang Xiu's Guitian Lu, He's Chunzhu Jiyun, Peng's Moke Huixi (the ten volumes of Xumuoke Huixi have been compiled), Zhao Liantian's Houling Lu, Ye Mengde's Shilin Yanyu, Lu You's Laoxue An Zhi, Gong Mingzhi's Zhongwu Jiyun, etc. Without these notes, it is difficult to reflect the full picture of Song Dynasty notes, which is deeply regrettable. At the same time, the catalog of Song Dynasty notes and novels compiled in the latter contains numerous errors, such as the author of Yanji Yimolu being mistakenly listed as "Wang Muyong" instead of "Wang Yong," the author of Ding Jin Gong Tanlu being listed as "Ding Wei" instead of "Ding Wei," the author of Song Jingwen Gong Zhi being listed as "Song Qi" instead of "Song Qi," the character "zhou" in Pingzhou Ketao being mistakenly written as "zhou," the character "ji" in Jiyou Biance Lu being mistakenly written as "yi," the character "zhou" in Zhuailian Xulun being mistakenly written as "shu," the author of Shupu being listed as "Dai Zhi" instead of "Dai Zhi," the author of Yangkao Manbi being listed as "Zhao Jin" instead of "Zhao Jinlu," and the author of Fuxuan Yelu being listed as "Chen" instead of "Chen," etc. Secondly, most of the notes by Song Dynasty scholars in this book are presented to the public for the first time after being collated and punctuated, reflecting the "new" characteristic. In the 49 notes in this compilation, 13 have been collated and punctuated by Zhonghua Book Company and Shanghai, while 36 have been newly collated and punctuated, accounting for more than 73% of the total. Among these newly collated and punctuated notes by Song Dynasty scholars, some of the more important ones include Zhang Ji's Jia Shi Tanlu, Wang Zeng's Wang Wen Zheng Gong Bilu, Song Qi's Song Jingwen Gong Zhi, Jiang Xiufu's Jiang Linji Zazhi, Zeng Bu's Zeng Gong Yilu, Su Shi's Quchi Bilu, Su Shi's Yujiao Xianhua Lu, Chao Shuozhi's Chao Shi Keyu, Wang Qiner's Wang Shi Tanlu, etc. Some of these notes, though not lengthy, contain content related to the social economy, politics, and customs of the time, leaving behind valuable historical materials for later generations, making them extremely precious. Thirdly, compared to previously collated and punctuated notes by Song Dynasty scholars, this book has a relatively "accurate" characteristic, meaning the collation and punctuation are more precise. The compilers and collators of this book are mostly outstanding scholars in the fields of ancient Chinese history and literature, especially in Tang and Song literature and history. Although it is not daring to call them the best in the world, they can be considered first-class. Taking the compilation as an example, especially Kong Fanli, who collated and punctuated Dongpo Zhilin, Quchi Bilu, Yujiao Xianhua Lu, Longchuan Luezhi, and Longchuan Bi Zhi, Deng Guangming and Zhang Xiqing, who collated and punctuated Sishui Jiyun, Yu Yunuo, who collated and punctuated Nanbu Xinshu, Jinshi Huayuan, Diao Ji Litan, and Ding Jin Gong Tanlu, and Huang Chunyan, who collated and punctuated Sun Weimin Zhengnan Lu, etc., are all renowned experts in Song Dynasty history or Song Dynasty literature research. This is sufficient to ensure that the collation, punctuation, and collation of this book are presented to readers with high quality. For example, the previously published Xiangshan Yelu by Shi Wenying (Zhonghua Book Company, 1984 edition) contains some punctuation errors, such as the original text in the first volume: "The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, Wang Gong, of the Zidao era, served as the director of the Qiao military office in the Bingwen year" (page 23), mistakenly taking the last reign title of Emperor Taizong of Song, "Zidao," as the name of "Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, Wang Gong." This has now been corrected to: "The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, Wang Gong, served as the director of the Qiao military office in the Bingwen year of the Zidao era." Another example is Chunming Chu Chao Lu by Song Minqiu (Zhonghua Book Company, 1980 edition), the first volume originally reads: "In the eleventh month of the Kaobao eighth year, Jiangnan was pacified, and the Bian River was left to await the boat of the Liguang ruler." (page 5). This has also been corrected to: "In the eleventh month of the Kaobao eighth year, Jiangnan was pacified, and the Bian River was left to await the boat of the Liguang ruler." These improvements are evident, thus ensuring that the quality of the punctuation in this book has further improved. In summary, The Complete Notes of the Song Dynasty is the third large-scale anthology in the field of Song Dynasty literature and history after The Complete Poems of the Song Dynasty and The Complete Writings of the Song Dynasty. Although it has only published the first volume so far, with inevitable shortcomings such as some incorrect annotations and punctuation errors, according to the compiler's plan, the entire book will be divided into about 10 volumes and completed within five to six years. The author believes that as the compilers gradually accumulate experience and the collators steadily improve their skills, they will eventually present a brand-new, high-quality documentary anthology to the readers.