Luo Yin was a writer of the Tang dynasty. Public records about his life are limited, and neither his dates of birth and death nor his native place is known. The only work by him in this collection is the Slanderous Writings (Chan Shu). This collection consists mainly of short discursive pieces, often using historical anecdotes and fables to criticize contemporary abuses. Its style is sharp and concise, with a strong satirical flavor, and it is regarded as fairly representative of late Tang short prose. Its subjects often involve the gains and losses of official careers, social conduct and political ills, reflecting the author's concern for and criticism of reality. Because relevant historical records are scarce, the details of his life cannot be reliably established, yet the Slanderous Writings itself sufficiently demonstrates Luo Yin's skill in discursive prose and offers valuable texts for understanding the thought and literary style of late Tang literati.
