Wu Jun Tu Jing Du Ji -- Jiangsu Local Literature Series

Author: (Song) Zhu Changwen, edited by Jin Julin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-08-01
Features: Wu Jun Tu Jing Xu Ji is a privately compiled work by the author Zhu Changwen. Changwen, styled Boyuan and styled as Yuepu, was a native of Wu County, Suzhou. He was born in the second year of the Kangding era of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty (1041) and died in the third year of the Yuanfu era of Emperor Zhezong (1100). He passed the imperial examination in the fourth year of the Jiayou era. During the Yuanyou period, he was recommended by Su Shi to become the professor of his home prefecture, later summoned to become a doctoral scholar at the Imperial Academy, and then served as the chief clerk of the Secretariat and the compiler of the Bureau of Military Affairs. His biography is recorded in the History of the Song Dynasty. Changwen loved reading and diligently wrote, compiling works such as Lun Sixing Bie Shuo, Hechi Bian, Xi Tang Zhi, Wumen Zongji, and Yuepu Yu Gao. 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, "The study of local chronicles was highly valued by the scholars of old," and since the Han Dynasty, there had 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 "noted in the annals of former dynasties." However, "as cities and towns changed, policies and affairs were altered, and population numbers rose and fell, it was necessary to pay attention." Thus, he developed the desire to compile a local chronicle independently. Wu Jun Tu Jing Xu Ji is divided into three volumes: the first, the second, and the third. In addition to the table of contents at the beginning of the book, the first volume contains fifteen sections: Territory, Cities and Towns, Population, Markets and Streets, Products, Customs, Gate Names, Schools, Government Offices, Nan Garden, Granaries, Sea Routes, Pavilions and Gardens, Governors, and Notable Figures. The second volume contains six sections: Bridges, Temples, Imperial and Buddhist Monasteries, Mountains, and Waters. The third volume contains seven sections: Water Management, Historical Sites, Gardens and Mansions, Tombs, Steles, Local Records, and Miscellaneous Records. From the perspective of its section headings, the book is organized by subject, categorizing matters, and has more than double the number of sections as Lu Guangwei's Wu Di Ji from the Tang Dynasty. It nearly covers all aspects of the situation in the Suzhou region. Several points in its section headings are worth noting: First, the organization of sections emphasizes geography, with the first section focusing on the founding of the Wu Kingdom. Second, the book sets sections based on specific matters, and some sections reflect local characteristics well. For example, since the Suzhou region is near the sea and has a dense network of lakes and rivers, the book specially includes sections on "Sea Routes" and "Water Management," giving them detailed coverage. Third, it pays great attention to local cultural heritage. Additionally, the book integrates ancient and modern information, providing rich and comprehensive data.