Records of Things Heard Earlier (Volume One)

祝允明Nanhai Publication Company · ChinaSep 2023

3.9

Word count: 8.4K words
Chapters: 29

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Summary

This is Former Gleanings, Volume One (Qianwen Ji, Shangjuan), written by Zhu Yunming.

Editor's review

Volume One of Former Gleanings is a note-style work by the Ming dynasty literatus Zhu Yunming. Its content mostly concerns old tales from court and countryside, anecdotes about people, and miscellaneous observations, bearing a distinct literati perspective and an essayistic tone. Zhu Yunming was renowned for poetry, prose, and calligraphy, and his writing combines literati elegance with the candor of notes; reading it, one can both sense the pleasures of Ming literati life and glimpse a corner of the social scene of the time. As the first half of the whole work, this volume is relatively independent in its organization of length and content and serves well as an introduction to Zhu Yunming's essay and note-writing style. The 2023 collated edition from Nanhai Publishing House provides modern readers with a convenient text. There is no need to seek narrative continuity when reading; it is better suited to reading piece by piece with notes in the margins, appreciating the leisureliness and information density of the note genre amid fragmented records. Readers interested in Ming dynasty notes, the Wuzhong literati circle, or Zhu Yunming's own writings can use it as supplementary reading alongside related historical sources or collected works for better results.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in Ming dynasty note literature and literati life
Readers using it as supplementary material for research on Zhu Yunming or the Wuzhong literati circle
Casual readers who enjoy short sketches and books they can dip into at random
Readers with some classical Chinese reading ability who are willing to read slowly and savor the text

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a complete plot or long narrative
Beginners who struggle with classical Chinese and do not wish to consult annotations
Researchers needing systematic historical verification or academic conclusions

Reading tips

Read piece by piece, pausing after every few pieces to note interesting figures or observations.
Keep a pen ready to look up and annotate unfamiliar Ming figures and place names as you go.
Read alongside Zhu Yunming's other poems and prose to appreciate the difference between his note style and his poetry and prose.
Do not force yourself to read it through; keep it as a bedside or desk book and finish it in scattered sessions.

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.

版权信息
高皇帝敬天
正经传
平吴仁言
制度
公宴节钱
给有司官钱
驿儿属对
龙须
欧阳都尉
勤政
示俭
持志
天王堂土地
诛李司徒
床下义气
宋祭酒
先曾祖受天恩
危素
嘉定县吏人
道不拾遗
修书
仁庙右文
霍侍郎
睿皇征吴处士
英宗皇帝圣德
英宗免礼官罪
沉孝子
妻代夫死

FAQ

Does this book require a high level of classical Chinese to read?

This is a Ming dynasty note-style work; the language has classical Chinese coloring, but most pieces are short jottings with not particularly difficult syntax. Readers with basic classical Chinese reading ability can get through it with annotations and reference tools; readers with no classical Chinese foundation may need to look things up as they read, and the pace will be slower.

Do Volume One and Volume Two need to be read in order?

Pieces in note-style works are relatively independent, and there is usually no strict continuous plot between Volume One and Volume Two. Readers can read Volume One first to become familiar with the style and then read Volume Two, or skip around according to interest without adhering to order; but reading Volume One first helps grasp the basic tone of the whole work.

Is this book suitable as an introductory read for understanding Zhu Yunming?

It can serve as introductory material for understanding Zhu Yunming's note-writing style, but for a full picture of his literary and calligraphic achievements, one should also consult his poetry and prose and related biographical materials. The book is better as supplementary reading than as the sole introduction.

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About the author

祝允明 Author

Zhu Yunming was a man of letters in the Ming dynasty; reliable public sources on his life, official career, dates, and native place are limited, and this profile makes no conjectures about them. The library holds seven of his works, including the Huai Xing Tang Collection, the upper and lower volumes of Qian Wen Ji, and Ye Ji, as well as a further Qian Wen Ji text that may be a differently titled edition of the same book. His writings span both poetry and prose and miscellaneous notes: the collection contains prefaces, colophons, letters, and travel records in a clear, fluent style, while the notes chiefly record court and local observations, anecdotes about people, and institutional and historical matters, written concisely with an antiquarian bent. Such works are often consulted for insight into the life of Ming literati and the tradition of historical notes, and are classified under Eastern philosophy, classic works, and culture, reflecting his dual orientation toward literature and historical source materials.