New Interpretations of the Zhou Offices
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Summary
Anshi's intent was rooted in the fact that Song, after a long period of weakness, needed to be strengthened through wealth and power; and fearing that the doctrine of wealth and power would surely be attacked by Confucians, he attached it to the meaning of the classics in order to silence them—he did not truly believe the Rites of Zhou could be put into practice." It is thus clear that Wang Anshi's exposition of the Rites of Zhou was in fact paving the way for his reform policies, and the work naturally embodies his philosophical and political thought, carrying strong practical significance.
Editor's review
From the perspective of scholarly history, this book is a model work in which Song-dynasty learning of underlying meaning replaced the Han–Tang exegesis of chapters and sentences. Wang Anshi swept aside the tedious textual criticism of traditional commentary and aimed directly at the "great meaning" behind the classics; this approach of "interpreting the classics by one's own lights" was both highly creative and imbued with the spirit of the age, and it also provoked enormous controversy in history. It is not only an indispensable primary source for studying Wang Anshi's reform thought but also a key text for understanding the transformation of Song classical learning and the interaction between politics and scholarship.
This edition from Sichuan University Press makes this important and somewhat daunting work accessible to modern readers. For today's reader, opening New Meanings of the Zhou Official is like opening a window onto the intellectual world of that magnificent reform movement in the Northern Song. What we see is not only how a reformer used traditional resources to defend change but also an intellectual effort to change the world by reinterpreting it. Its successes and failures, and the distance between ideal and reality, can still prompt deep reflection today.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Scholars and students interested in the history of ancient Chinese political thought, especially the interaction between Song-dynasty reforms and classical learning
- Readers who wish to understand deeply the theoretical foundations and philosophical content of Wang Anshi's reforms
- Enthusiasts of traditional Chinese political and economic thought, and of the Rites of Zhou and its interpretations through the ages
- Deep readers who enjoy classical texts rich in argument and historical tension
Not a good fit for
- Casual readers seeking light storytelling or modern vernacular translation
- Complete beginners unfamiliar with ancient institutions and classical interpretation who lack the patience to overcome the barrier of classical Chinese
Reading tips
- It is advisable first to gain a basic understanding of the historical background of Wang Anshi's reforms and the basic content of the Rites of Zhou, perhaps with the help of works on Song history or the history of classical learning
- While reading, focus on Wang Anshi's interpretations of offices such as the "Spring Office" and "Equalizer," and observe how he transforms ancient institutions into a blueprint for reform
- Readers may compare this book with the relevant arguments of Sima Guang, Su Shi, and others who opposed the reforms, to form a more three-dimensional historical understanding
About the publisher
Sichuan University Press is a comprehensive publisher grounded in academic publishing with a multidisciplinary outlook. Judging from the books in our catalog, the press has invested considerably in science fiction, issuing titles such as Interstellar Navigation: Selected Chinese Science Fiction, China's Best Science Fiction of the Year (2024), and Science Fiction World Selections 2024: The 36th Galaxy Awards Winning Works, bringing together authors including Liu Cixin, Wang Jinkang, He Xi, Han Song, Jiang Bo, and Wang Nuonuo. It also covers military science fiction and speculative futures, as seen in No War Tomorrow and The Idea Machine. Beyond fiction, the press publishes in language and writing, philosophy, history, and personal growth, including Practical Guide to News Spokesmanship and New Interpretations of the Zhou Officialdom. Public information is limited; the above is drawn only from the 26 titles in our catalog.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 自序
- 天官
- 叙官
- 大宰
- 小宰
- 其余
- 地官
- 叙官
- 大司徒
- 小司徒
- 其余
- 春官
- 叙官
- 大宗伯
- 小宗伯
- 其余
- 夏官
- 叙官
- 大司马
- 其余
- 秋官
- 叙官
- 大司寇
- 小司寇
- 其余
- 附卷 考工记
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About the author
Wang Anshi (1021–1086), courtesy name Jiefu and style name Banshan, was a native of Linchuan, Fuzhou (present-day Jiangxi) in the Northern Song dynasty. An outstanding statesman, thinker, writer and reformer, he is counted among the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song. During the Xining era he twice served as chancellor and led a reform movement, introducing the Green Sprouts and Corvée Exemption laws; Lenin called him "a reformer of China in the eleventh century." He was posthumously honored with the title Wen and is commonly known as Wang Jinggong. His writings circulated widely, and this site holds fifteen of his works, including Collected Works of Wang Anshi, the six-volume Complete Works, several multi-volume editions of his prose, and commentaries and poetry anthologies. His prose and verse are noted for their concise, sharp style and lofty purpose, combining political ambition with literary talent.
