From: Yuan Biography of the History of Song Dynasty, Volume 97
Excerpts: Su Shi, Zi Zizhan, Meishan, Meizhou. Ten years of life, my father traveled around the world, and my mother Shicheng personally gave books, and I heard about the success or failure of ancient and modern times, which can hit the nail on the head. Cheng breathed a sigh of relief when he read the biography of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He asked, "If I were a poet, would my mother allow it?" Shi Cheng said, "Can you be an evil mother?"
Translation: Su Shi Zi Zhan, a native of Meishan, Meizhou. When he was ten years old, his father Su Xun went to various places to study, and his mother Shicheng personally taught him to read. Su Shi can tell the general idea when he listens to the success or failure of ancient and modern times. When Cheng read the biography of the Eastern Han Dynasty, he sighed angrily. Su Shi asked, "If I become Fan Pang, will my mother approve?" Cheng said, "If you can do it, I can't be a good mother?"
The expanded material History of Song Dynasty is one of the twenty-four histories, and it is included in the official history category of the history department of Sikuquanshu. From the end of Yuan Dynasty to Zheng Zheng for three years (1343), it was edited by Prime Minister Tuotuo and Arutu successively. It was written at the same time as Liao History and Jin History, and it is the largest official history work in the twenty-four histories.
The protagonist of the excerpt is Su Shi's mother. Her name is not as famous as Meng Mu and her mother-in-law, but she has made great achievements and educated Su Shi and Su Zhe. Under her guidance, the two brothers studied classics and history since childhood. However, when the two brothers entered high school, their mother Cheng died alone at home on the eighth day of April of the same year.
Although there are many omissions in The History of Song Dynasty, its contents are extensive and rich, and its historical materials are of high value. It preserves many lost original materials and is an important historical book for understanding and studying the history of the Song Dynasty.