Wang Shizhen

Wang Shizhen (1634–1711), courtesy names Zizhen and Yishang, art names Ruanting and Yuyang Shanren, was a native of Xincheng, Shandong (present-day Huantai). A jinshi of the fifteenth year of the Shunzhi reign in the Qing dynasty, he rose to the post of Minister of Justice. He was a leading literary figure of the early Qing and dominated the poetry world for fifty years, advancing the theory of "spirit and tone" (shenyun), which had a profound influence. His works include the Dai Jing Tang Ji, Chibei Outan, and Yuyang Shihua. This library holds 24 of his works, notably the Chibei Outan sections (on presentations, precedents, and art, as well as the combined edition), the Juyi Lu and its combined edition, Xiangzu Biji, and Feng Gan Yuhua. These note-style works cover institutional history, anecdotes, and poetry criticism; they are often classified under Eastern philosophy, classic works, philosophical readings, and social fiction, reflecting both historical and literary value.