Shen Kuo's life can be summarized in two aspects: politics and scientific research. The following are the main viewpoints: A.D. 1070 (the third year of Xining), he participated in Wang Anshi's political reform and was the backbone of the reformists; A.D. 1075 (the eighth year of Xining) was sent to Liao country to "refute the unreasonable demands of Liao country and safeguard the sovereignty of Song Dynasty; Then defend Yanzhou (now Yan 'an, Shaanxi), strengthen military equipment, fortify sleeping, and effectively resist Xixia. Shen Kuo has always attached importance to building water conservancy projects, supervising weapons and managing finances, hoping to promote the country's prosperity. During his political career, Shen Kuo paid attention to the record of scientific research and scientific inventions all his life. A wide range of scientific research has been carried out, such as observing astronomical phenomena, drawing the scene table of the armillary sphere, and compiling the abundant calendar (similar to today's solar calendar); In mathematics, he founded "gap product" and "meeting circle"; In physics, the existence of magnetic declination was discovered more than 400 years earlier than in Europe, and the vibration law of * * * was also studied. Geologically, the formation of alluvial plain is inferred from rock biological remains, and the naming of oil is also put forward. In addition, he also studied medicinal plants and medical technology. Shen Kuo wrote a lot in his life, among which the famous works passed down to later generations are Bi Tan, Chang, and so on. In the long edition of Zi Jian, there are still some historical materials of Zi Zhi written by him, such as the application for entry and entry records.
A.D. 1082 (the fifth year of Yuanfeng), because Xu Xi captured Yongle City, Shen Kuo was demoted, lived in Runzhou, built Meng Xi Park (now the eastern suburb of Zhenjiang), and devoted himself to writing. He died in a.d. 1095 at the age of 65.