Research On Jiangling Zhiyu Recorded By Kong Zilai

Jiangling Zhiyu,which "preserves the local literature and fills in the gaps of the old history",is "an important local chronicle compiled privately of Hubei Chorography" codified by Kong Zilai,a scholar in the Late Ming-Early Qing.Previous studies showed that Kong Zilai is the descendants of the vassal prince of Liao in Ming Dynasty,the article further clarifies that he is the seventh generation grandson of Zhu Guifu.Kong Zilai travels almost half of China,social intercourse widely,has deep family learning and is well educated.Specifically,he has many writings in the Shi,Zi,Ji,especially in township literature.The most far-reaching one is Jiangling Zhiyu which has been handed down to now.Jiangling Zhiyu has been copied many times from Kangxi to Guangxu period,it is known that there are four types and eight editions,including the engraved version,the copy,the movable type and the lithographic version.After sorting out and identifying the relationship between the editions of Jiangling Zhiyu,it is found that they can be divided into two systems,the engraved version in the early period of Kangxi is the earliest version available and the engraved version printed by Zheng Ruoliang is the better one.If using this book,other editions also should be referred to such as the edition collected by Zhu Zumou.Kong Zilai has quoted from various sources,examinated facticity,and made innovations,Jiangling Zhiyu is a private chronicle which is "not related to officials",a neo-school of chronicle which is "comprehensive of many schools of thought",innovates in categories,and is of great value in the preservation of literature,the examination of famous objects and the study of local folklore.