The Secret Records of Shu'an

王无生Nanhai Publication Company · ChinaSep 2023

Rating 2.5
Word count
9K words
Chapters
16

Tags

Folk Literature Folk OdditiesSocial SnapshotUnofficial HistoryStreet LifeNarrative NotesHistorical RecoveryMiscellaneous NotesAnecdotesLate Qing SocietyLate Qing and Early Republic

Summary

This book is The Secret Record of Shu'an, by Wang Wusheng.

Editor's review

The title The Secret Record of Shu'an itself signals a "secret record" character, and Wang Wusheng's account presumably centers on observations, anecdotes, or hearsay, readily arousing a taste for discovery. The value of such notebooks often lies not in a grand system but in the atmosphere of an era and the ways of the world revealed through scattered details: a single anecdote may point to local customs, and a figure's words or deeds may reflect contemporary social relations. The 2023 Nanhai Publishing House edition reissues the book in an edited form, making this notebook text conveniently available to general readers. One should read with a sense of proportion and not take "secret record" material as reliable history; rather, treat it as an account colored by hearsay and personal perspective, appreciating its narrative interest while noting possible exaggeration and errors of hearsay. It suits casual reading in literature and history and is also suitable for readers interested in notebooks and miscellanies seeking to broaden their reading.

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Reading tips

  1. Treat it as casual notebook reading, taking in a few entries at a time without insisting on continuity.
  2. Maintain a critical awareness of hearsay entries and compare them with reliable historical sources or reference works.
  3. Jot down interesting figures and events for later follow-up and verification.

About the publisher

Nanhai Publication Company China · Founded in 1988

Nanhai Publication Company is a comprehensive publisher known for its literature and arts titles, covering fields such as classical poetry, martial arts fiction, and folk literature. Judging from the more than 1,600 books in the database, the company has released classical poetic works including the Nineteen Old Poems and the Nine Songs, as well as multiple volumes of Huanzhulouzhu's series The Swordsmen of Mount Shu, along with related writings by authors such as Guan Hanqing, Qu Yuan, Zuo Si, and Wang Zhihuan. Its publishing character lies in balancing the organization of classic texts with the dissemination of popular literature, placing poetry anthologies alongside long martial arts novels and presenting a relatively diverse literary profile. Public information is limited, and further details about its editorial practices and series planning remain to be supplemented.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 热河行宫之宝藏
  3. 同治帝之轶事
  4. 孝贞后之暴薨
  5. 刚毅之贪诈
  6. 李莲英之机警
  7. 慈禧后致疑于奕
  8. 清宫大贿赂场
  9. 刚毅之筹国
  10. 光绪帝之几废
  11. 恭忠亲王谏复建圆明园
  12. 瓦德西考试书院生
  13. 慈禧于满族及内侍
  14. 珍妃坠井
  15. 八旗兵
  16. 清室轶闻

FAQ

Does "secret record" mean the content is all true and reliable? Not necessarily. In traditional notebooks, "secret record" often refers to rare hearsay or private accounts that have not been rigorously verified. When reading, distinguish observation, retelling, and textual criticism; be cautious about exaggerated or isolated claims and do not cite them directly as reliable history.
Is this book suitable for beginners? It is suitable for beginners curious about the notebook genre as casual reading, but the book may involve Qing figures, institutions, and place names. Beginners who encounter obstacles can skip or look them up and need not understand every entry. Cultivate interest first, then deepen gradually.
How should one pace the reading? A fragmented approach is recommended: read a few entries at a time without chasing speed. Mark entries of interest, review them together afterward, and use reference works to check personal and place names for a more solid reading experience.

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

王无生 Author

Wang Wusheng is an author about whom little public information is available. Two works are currently held in the library, with Shuan Miu (Secret Records of the Shuan Studio) listed as the representative title. Judging from the existing categories, his writing touches on two fields, Eastern philosophy and folk literature, a combination that suggests a body of work blending speculative reflection with folk narrative. The title Shuan Miu carries the flavor of miscellaneous notes, perhaps resembling the traditional literati notebook in which short entries record observations, comments, and philosophical thought. Since neither the dates of birth and death, nor his native place, education, or life experience can be reliably established, this catalogue makes no conjecture about his personal history. On the available evidence, Wang Wusheng's value as a writer lies chiefly in his choice of subject matter: drawing on folk materials within a framework of Eastern philosophy, so that abstract ideas and local experience illuminate one another. The two holdings share the same title, indicating that the text may have circulated in different editions or arrangements. Readers wishing to understand his style and thought may begin with Shuan Miu, while noting his position at the intersection of Eastern philosophy and folk literature.