"Yutang Jiahua" "Shanju Xinyu"

Author: Wang Yun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: This book is one of the "Collected Notes on Yuan and Ming Historical Materials," including two Yuan Dynasty notes. Yutang Jiahua (Eight Volumes), written by Wang Yun (1227–1304, styled Zhongmou, styled Qiujian, from Jixian County, Weizhou (now Jixian County, Henan)). The Wang family was a wealthy and prosperous lineage, with Wang Yun's grandfather, Wang Yu, serving as a Dunwu Xuewei under the Jin Dynasty, and his father, Wang Tianze, becoming a principal of the Ministry of Revenue in the early years of the Jin Dazheng era after ranking first in the law examination. Wang Yun was "naturally virtuous in childhood, diligent in learning, and eager for knowledge as if hungry and thirsty.") The content of Yutang Jiahua is half historical records of the late Jin and early Yuan periods, and the other half is of historical anecdotes and customs of previous dynasties, making it rich in content. Shanju Xinyu (Four Volumes), written by Yang Yu (1285–1361, styled Yuancheng, from Hangzhou. Born in the 22nd year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty, died in the 21st year of the Zhizong era, at the age of 77. During the Tianli era (around 1329), he was promoted to the position of Dazhensi Dianbu. Emperor Wenzong admired his integrity and diligence, promoting him to the position of Zaoyi Dafu and Dadianyuan Judge. In the 15th year of the Zhizong era (1355), bandits roamed in Jiangdong and Zhongxi, and he was appointed as the Chief Administrator of Dezhou. Yang Yu treated the people as his own family, and the people regarded him as their parents. The provincial government recognized his contributions, promoting him to Zhongfeng Dafu, Zhedong Road Xuanwei, and Dumenxuanyuan. In the 20th year of the Zhizong era (1360), he retired. Yang Yu wrote Shanju Xinyu (Four Volumes), and the Siku Zongmu recorded his observations and experiences, with many of them incorporating supernatural tales.) The book was completed in the late Yuan Dynasty and contains much information about Yuan Dynasty institutions, social customs, economic culture, and more. These two notes are of high historical value.