Research On Li Fu And His Thought

This thesis attempts to solve three problems on Li Fu. First, the life of LiFu is still a mystery so far, especially that of his later years. Secondly, up till now nosystematic discrimination on the version of "Jushui River Collection" can be found inany literatures pertaining to Li Fu. Thirdly, no one has ever done the work concerning asystematic organization of Li'thought.Li Fu (1052-1128) was also named Li Luzhong, called by the later generations asMr. Jushui River, and lived in Chang'an in Northern Song. He passed theprovincial-level examination at the age of 16. Probably from 1070 to 1076 AD, he was adisciple of a famous philosopher, Zhang Zai, who lived in Northern Song. In 1079, LiFu passed the national-level examination. Once served as a teacher of Yao State from1086 to 1088, Li Fu spread theories of Guan Xue (a school of psychological ideologymainly in Shaanxi in Northem Song, represented by Zhang Zai). Then he wastransferred to Shang Dang. In the following seven years, Li Fu assisted staff officer tomanage the local economy affairs. Between 1096 and 1099, served as staff officer innorthwest military affairs, Li Fu has succeeded in planning to strike back Western Qiangin Qing Tang and Miao Chuan. Between 1103 and 1105, he was in charge of theeconomic affairs in Xi He. Li Fu was praised for his suggestion on canceling buildingcombat chariots as well as man-of-war, which enraged Cai Jing who was an influentialofficial at that time. On the Northwest military problem, Li Fu diverged from TongGuan, another influential official at that time. As a result, he was continually transferredby government, without in the key position. Li Fu probably resigned to go home in 1116.At the age of 78, he was reinstated to fight against soldiers of Jin (1115-1234) in QinZhou. Later he died in harness.Social elites in the Southern Song, such as Qian Duanli, Lou Yue, Hong Mai andZhu Xi, appreciated Li Fu very much on knowledge, administration and training. But inthe eyes of historian later on, Li Fu did not die at his post but surrendered to Jin. Therewere two convincing evidence to support the opinion that Li Fu gave his life for hiscountry. First, in the 56th year after his death, collected works of Li Fu was subsidizedand published by government under the co-efforts of both Qian Duanli and his grandson. Secondly, Lou Yue recorded information that Li Fu gave his life for his country.Furthermore, in the 64th year after Li Fu's death, in the memorial that is given to theemperor, Lou Yue quoted Li Fu' article directly for his proposal to strengthen thenational defense guard against Jin. If Li Fu really surrendered to Jin, then Lou Yue'swords would be difficult to understand. In addition, historian Xu Mengshen, who wasborn in the time when Li Fu was said to give his life for his country, did not clearlyrecord that Li surrendered to Jin. While the even younger historian born in the timewhen Li Fu died more than seventy years, definitely recorded that Li Fu did surrender toJin. This is difficult to understand."Jushui River Collection" is the collected works of Li Fu. Under the co-efforts ofboth Qian Duanli and his grandson, it was published in Shang Rao in 1183. This versionis also called Xin Zhou version. In was reprinted in Ming Dynasty (1368-1164). Thecontemporary version which consists of 16 volumes and widely spread is done by thoseofficials who were in charge of editing an encyclopedia concerning Qing Dynasty. Theysorted out the materials related to Li Fu from the encyclopedias of Ming Dynasty whichwere mostly destroyed. But perhaps in the later period of Qing Dynasty, the completeedition of "Jushui River Collection" may be preserved intact.The thesis makes more systematic explanation for Li Fu's thought from the pointof view of ontology, training theory, policy thought, and ideas in literature. As arepresentative of the new generation of Guan Xue, Li Fu not only inherits but alsodevelops the thought of his teacher, Zhang Zai. While explaining about "Qi" ontologythrough the book "Yi", Li Fu had combined "Content-first" and "Form-first" on"Zhou-yi". On the basis of Guan Xue's theories, drawing lessons from Zhou Dunyi andShao Yong, both of whom emphasized "Taiji", Li Fu explained "Taiji" in terms of"primordial qi". Consequently, he improves "Qi" ontology of Guan Xue.The purpose of Guan Xue's explananation of ontology is moral training. Because of hishigh ethical attainments, Li Fu is known as "famous Confucian scholar in Guan Zhong".His training theory expressed by "realizing the origin" and "taking good care of soul"are simple expression of his personal experiences in practice. He adopts to combine"realizing in training gradually" and "the inspiration flash" together, which improvedthe moral training theory of Guan Xue. In the more than 30 years as local officers, Lihad put into practice some of Guan Xue's ideas. The first and foremost is "thecombination of politics and academy". He adopts the management principle that combines principle with flexibility. This is the summary of historical experiences.Compared with his teachers, and classmates good at the theory on the system"distributing the land equally" and Wang Anshi's political reform, Li Fu seems morepractical. So his opinion improves the political theory of Guan Xue. On literaryconcepts, Li Fu holds the opinion that pays more attention to content without neglectingform. Such a view and his historical view concerning "writing" makes Li Fu's literarycriticism have the implications of summarizing achievement of ancient Chineseliterature movements. Thus Li Fu's theory remedies the deficiency of literary criticismof Guan Xue. Especially, Li Fu's theory on "four stages" of the article form is ofindividuality and innovation in the literary criticism in Song Dynasty.