Wang Shipeng was a literatus of the Song dynasty; reliable public information about his life, official career, birth and death years, and native place is limited and not clearly recorded. Judging from the two works held in this collection, he was skilled at writing about local scenery and water-conservancy lore. "Three Rhapsodies on Kuaiji" uses the rhapsody form to set forth the mountains, rivers, and culture of Kuaiji, with polished diction and a grand structure, possessing both documentary and literary value. "A Discourse on Jian Lake" discusses the waterworks of Jian Lake in a clear and well-ordered manner, showing concern for local livelihood. One work is literary exposition, the other practical argument, reflecting the author's combination of literary talent and practical awareness. Because materials are limited, details of his life cannot be examined in depth; readers may still appreciate his prose style and local writing through these two pieces.
