"shi Liu Note Study

Shi Shuo Xin Yu, written by Liu Yiqing, one of the nobles of Nan Dynasty, is a representative literary work of its period. While the annotation of the book, by Liu Xiaobiao, has been entitled "one of the greatest annotations in history" in China. With the passing down of Shi Shuo Xin Yu generation by generation, the annotation and the book have become inseparable. The annotation, explaining the article, providing background materials for the characters in the book, and correcting the wrong points of the book, not only supplements the original book, but also makes itself very valuable when we descendants research in documentation, literature, history, philosophy, and so on.Before Liu Xiaobiao, Jing Yin, Nan Qi Dynasty, had made the first version of annotation for Shi Shuo Xin Yu, however, we can only trace it in Shi Shuo Xu Lu, by Wang Zao in Song Dynasty.Annotations by Jing Yin and Liu Xiaobiao are very different. Although Jing Yin was the first to add notes to Shi Shuo Xin Yu, which gave the first annotation the position of footstone, his explanation was far more inferior to Liu Xiaobiao's in terms of wording, preciseness, clearness, etc. That is one of the most important reasons why Jing Yin's version never survived after Liu Xiaobiao's distribution.As for Liu Xiaobiao's annotation itself, it is not a traditional and serious one. Liu Xiaobiao didn't explain the words one by one. Yet, he supplemented the original book with materials of background of the characters, or quotation of small stories, which not only made the extent of Shi Shuo Xin Yu more outstanding, but also made itself so special and successful. Moreover, we can infer why through the background of the author, the whole environment of the period and the great success of Annotation of The Three Kingdoms by Pei Songzhi before Liu Xiaobiao.The most attracting points are the values of the annotation. First, many ancient books survived the time relying on the annotation. According to Jing Ji Zhi Sui Shu and Si Ku Quan Shu, a lot of lost books can be found, or part of them can be found out. And, with the help of Epitaph of Han Wei Six Dynasties by Zhao Chao, we can do collation. Secondly, Liu Xiaobiao's annotation has very high value in studying history. From the materials relating to the backgrounds of the characters, we can take a look at the social system, ideology, spirit of the famous people, etc. Thirdly, the annotation has added the whole book a heavy sense of philosophy, making the original book not just an anecdotage any more. Fourthly, Liu Xiaobiao has made a lot of colorful characters, which is why its contribution to literature history cannot be ignored, either. And last, its status in notation has exerted great influence on the subsequent annotations, such as Annotations for Shui Jing by Li Daoyuan and Annotations for Wen Xuan by Li Shan.It is undeniable that Liu Xiaobiao's explanation has some shortcomings. For example, it was short for formal explanation of every word, the ideas of the author was not very advanced and open, etc. But the scrupulous style of annotating, the abundance of materials , the strict selection of materials and the great values it has will always remind us that there is a precious book waiting, if we keep looking, we will get unexpected surprise from time to time.