| Gong Shitai(1298-1362), alias Taifu, was born in Xuancheng, Ningguo County, to the famous Gong family in Nanhu. This family had great knowledge for generations. His grandfather was Shirui, who had a wide range of knowledge and a noble virtue. His father was Kui, who was famous for his achievements in literature. Gong Shitai as a Zhusheng,an ordinary scholar,studied in Guozixue which was the highest education institution in Yuan Dynasty. In 1327, he started his official career, and served as an assistant to the chief local official of Taihe County. High officials heard about his reputation and recommended him as official of Yingfeng Hanlin. He then held the post of Tuiguan(local judge), and his governance was the best among all the counties. He worked as Yingfeng in Hanlin(Imperial Academy), prepared to revise Concubines, Meritorious Statesmen, and Collected Biographies. He was reappointed as the lecturer of Xuanwen Palace and translator of Imperial Lecture, also Siye of Guozi. In 1352, Han people could be high officials of the central government, which started form Shitai. He then was reappointed as the assistant minister of Ministry of Personnel. In 1353, he was transferred to the assistant minister of Ministry of War. In 1354, he served as the minister of rice production and conservation. In 1355, he was promoted as the minister of investigation office(responsible for maintaining the order of local governance), and the director of Ministry of Rites. Afterwards, he was appointed as the supervisor of Pingjianglu. In 1357, he served as the legate of Salt and Rice Transport Department of Zhejiang. One year later, he was promoted as the councilor of Jiangzhe Province. In 1359, the imperial court appointed his as the director of Ministry of Revenue. He came to Fujian Province in early 1360. At the same year, he held the post of secretary. As the road was obstructed, the Emperor ordered him return to the North capital. He died in Haining. He wrote Commentary on the Book of Songs, Collection of Wanzhai, and Collection of Dongxuan. His Collection of Wanzhai has been handed down.Gong Shitai was an important official of Han in the late Yuan Dynasty and a famous master of poetry and prose. He made outstanding achievements in both his official career and literature. Gong Shitai occupies a certain position in the literature history of Yuan Dynasty, and has an important influence on later scholars. Scholars, however, pays more attention to the literature of Yuan Dynasty and dramatists of Yuan Verse.They pay less attention to masters ofpoetry and prose. As for Gong Shitai, they focus on his poetry. Other aspects of his life are not concerned. Therefore, the chronology biography of this Confucian not only helps us to understand the relations between his noble personalities, extraordinary temperament and his literature, official career, etc, but also to study the literature and politics of Yuan Dynasty.This chronological biography collected all the historical information available about Gong Shitai’s life, including his family, his communication with temporary men of letters as well as his political ideas and related historical documents. The main research focuses on the following aspects:I Sorting out his experience and activities on the basis of the existedChronological Biography, explaining some unclear discussions and addingsome materials to the not detailed history documents;II Sorting out his works in order of time;III Making some details about his close teachers, friends and students;IV For a comprehensive and objective understanding about him, this chronologicalbiography relates to Emperors, politics, literature, travels, Red Turbans, etc. inthe hope of truly reflecting the background of times.The chronological biography is divided into two parts:Paradigm: explain the way and principles of the composition of this chronological biography.Chronology: sort out his activities in order of time, with annotation and comments under each term. |
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