Studies On Neo-Confucian Core Area Concerning The Neighbouring Districts Of Fujian, Zhejiang And Jiangxi In Southern Song Dynasty

Neo-Confucianism enjoys a boom period in Song Dynasty. It comes into being in Northern Song and then transfers to South along with state politics and economy due to Jingkang Incident. To be more specific, the heartland of Neo-Confucianism studies is moved to the southeast districts:Fujian Circuit, Liangzhe Circuit, and Jiangnan-Dong as well as Jiangnan-Xi Circuits. With large numbers of immigrants from North pouring in and bringing in advanced production tools and technologies, the economy in the southeast has gained rapid development. Furthermore, people in these districts always value scholars and yearn for knowledge. In that case, as the heartland of Neo-Confucianism is transferring to South, the culture in these districts is taking on a scene of prosperity:waves and waves of academies have been established; the industries of book-printing and book-storing have been developed; many scholars are standing out, and Imperial Examination System is in its glorious time.Based on economy and culture advancement, the adjoining areas of Fujian, Liangzhe and Jiangnan-Dong as well as Jiangnan-Xi become the centre of Neo-Confucianism studies and also the source of Neo-Confucianism in South. There emerge different schools of Neo-Confucianists during Southern Song Dynasty. While Neo-Confucian culture is transmitting and an increasing number of schools of Neo-Confucian scholars are being produced, Neo-Confucian core area has taken shape. Till Qian-Chun ruling period, the Neo-Confucian core area has stepped into prosperity. There are numerous masters of Neo-Confucianism in the adjoining area, mainly divided into three schools:Min School in Fujian Circuit represented by Zhu Xi; Wu School represented by Lv Zhuqian, Yongjia School by Ye Shi, and Yongkang School by Chen Liang in Liangzhe Circuit; Xin School by Lu Jiuyuan in Jiangnan-Dong and Jiangnan-xi. The different schools are constantly competing and integrating with one another. Within the neighbouring districts, masters of schools are enhancing the transmission of Neo-Confucian thoughts, by means of arguing, debating, lecturing and so on. They make joint efforts to promote Neo-Confucianism. However, owing to some masters’passing away and Qingyuan Dangjin Incident, Neo-Confucianism has suffered a great frustration. Until Emperor Songlizong takes over the empire, he tries his best to support Zhu-Cheng School, who gradually dominates in the core area and eventually becomes the dominant thought in late feudal society. As time goes on, other schools are fading away except that Xin School is till advocated by Wang Yangming in Ming Dynasty.The formation and development of Neo-Confucian core area have a far-reaching influence on the neighbouring districts of Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi and even on the whole Chinese society. Due to masters’ arguments, communications, and lectures, the conceptions of Neo-Confucianism become increasingly clear-cut, thoughts of schools are refined, and dynamic Neo-Confucian system is successfully constructed. The masters’ debates, especially those involving Zhu Xi, Chen Liang and Ye Shi, on morality and utility arouse the public’s constant reflection. More importantly, varieties of academic activities and political practices facilitate education, culture and economy development of the neighbouring district and even the whole China.