Brief introduction of Wang Anshi
Wang Anshi (1021～1086) was an outstanding reformer, thinker and writer in the Northern Song Dynasty. The courtesy name is Jiefu and the nickname is Banshan. A native of Linchuan, Jiangxi (now Fuzhou, Jiangxi), he is known as Mr. Linchuan in the world.
Wang Anshi was ambitious, erudite and thoughtful. He traveled around the country with his father and witnessed the social conditions of the Northern Song Dynasty when "people's labor and wealth were scarce". He put forward a complete new theory in philosophy, economy, education ethics and other aspects. His ideological system - "Jing Gong New Learning", clearly stated his materialist stance, brought a breath of fresh air to the ideological circles at that time, had a great influence on later Chinese academic thought, and also contributed to Wang Anshi's political reform. laid the ideological foundation.
In the second year of Qingli (1042), he ranked fourth in Jinshi. He served as a local magistrate for many years. Wang Anshi believes that the root cause of social impoverishment in the Song Dynasty lies in mergers. Therefore, in the Wanyan letter written by Zhao Zhen, Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty in the third year of Jiayou (1058), he called for a comprehensive reform of the laws since the early Song Dynasty, to reverse the situation of poverty and weakness, and to immediately implement the reform of the laws. Feudal literati also placed their high hopes for peace in the country on Wang Anshi, expecting him to come to power as soon as possible.
Because he was deeply appreciated by Shenzong, Wang Anshi was appointed as the counselor of political affairs in the second year of Xining (1069). The following year, he was promoted to prime minister and began to vigorously promote reforms and carry out reforms. Wang Anshi clearly stated that financial management is the top priority for the prime minister, explained the relationship between political affairs and financial management, and believed that only on the basis of developing production can the country's financial problems be solved. After taking office, Wang Anshi continued to develop this insight. In the reform, he regarded the development of production as a top priority and placed it in a top priority position.
Although Wang Anshi emphasized the leading role of the state power in reform, he did not agree with the state's excessive intervention in social production and economic life, opposed excessive patent inquiries, and proposed and insisted on "questioning" There should not be too many laws." Under the guidance of Wang Anshi's above-mentioned thoughts, the reformists formulated and implemented a series of new laws, launching extensive social reforms from agriculture to handicrafts, commerce, and from villages to cities.
At the same time, the reformists headed by Wang Anshi reformed the military system to improve the quality and combat effectiveness of the army and strengthen control over the vast rural areas; in order to cultivate more talents needed by society, the imperial examination and school education The system has also been reformed. The reform offended the interests of big landowners and big bureaucrats. The empress dowagers of the two palaces, relatives of the emperor and conservative scholar-bureaucrats united to oppose the reform.
Therefore, Wang Anshi resigned as prime minister for the first time in the seventh year of Xining. The next year he paid homage to the prime minister again. After Wang Anshi returned to the prime minister, he could not get more support and could not continue to implement the reform. In the ninth year of Xining, he resigned as prime minister for the second time and lived in Jiangning Mansion. In the first year of Yuanyou (1086), the reign of Emperor Zhezong of the Song Dynasty, the conservatives gained power and all previous new laws were abolished. Wang Anshi died of illness soon after.
In terms of philosophical thought, Wang Anshi inherited and carried forward some of Laozi's thoughts, which are traditional and simple dialectical thoughts. "Hong Fan Zhuan" and "Laozi Commentary" are his main works in this area. Later The author has been lost. His articles are good at argumentation, and he is listed among the eight great writers of Tang and Song Dynasties. In terms of poetry, he wrote many poems reflecting social reality in his early years. There are collections handed down from generation to generation, one is the "Collected Works of Mr. Linchuan" and the other is the "Collected Works of Wang Wengong", both of which contain other people's works. Wang Anshi was granted the title of Shu and Jing, and after his death he was given the posthumous title of Wen, so he was also called Wang Jinggong or Wang Wengong.
Wang Anshi passed the Jinshi examination at the age of 22 and entered the official career. He served as a local official for nearly thirty years, building water conservancy, developing production, and partially implementing innovative measures to reform bad governance. In 1059, he wrote the famous "Book of Statements of Emperor Shang Zongren", which proposed comprehensive reforms and conceived a preliminary blueprint for the subsequent Xining New Law. From 1069 to 1076, Wang Anshi served as prime minister twice. Based on his Jinggong's new learning thought, he boldly put forward the political thought of "no change in nature, no law in ancestors, and no sympathy in human words".
In order to change the political situation of "poverty and failure" in the Northern Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi ignored the opposition and obstruction of the conservative forces and launched and led a campaign centered on "financial management" and "reorganization of the army" and "rich and strong". For the purpose of "people", it involves a large-scale and majestic social change movement in all aspects of society, politics, economy, military, and culture. It is known as the "Xining New Law" in history. Wang Anshi was praised by Lenin as "China's eleventh century reformer".
In terms of literature, Wang Anshi is not only unique in theory, but also unique in creative practice. His poems were strong and straight, his prose was logically logical, and his writing was sharp and sharp. He left to future generations a rich cultural heritage of more than 1,540 poems and more than 800 essays. In his poem "Mooring the Boat on Guazhou", "The spring breeze turns green again on the south bank of the river, when will the bright moon shine back on me?" is an eternal masterpiece. "Guizhixiang Jinling Nostalgia" is a famous poem that describes the scenery and ambitions. The prose essays "Reply to Sima's Remonstrance" and "A Journey to Bao Chan Mountain" were selected as model essays and included in middle school textbooks. His outstanding literary attainments are indeed the backbone of the eight great writers of the Tang and Song Dynasties. His existing works include "Linchuan Collection", "Linchuan Collection Supplements", "Zhou Guan Xin Yi", "Song Shuo", etc.
His prose is close to the practical problems of society, politics and life, and directly serves his political struggle. "Reply to Sima's Remonstrance" analyzes Sima Guang's words against the New Deal. The words are concise, euphemistic and firm, clearly stating his political opinions.
"Reading the Biography of Mengchangjun" analyzes historical facts, refutes the traditional concept of Mengchangjun raising scholars, and talks about how to "get scholars". Even in short essays like "Shang Zhongyong", the author's intention is not to express literary thoughts, but his actual intention is to emphasize the importance of acquired learning.
In travel notes, the most eloquent and interesting style of writing, Wang Anshi often introduces very philosophical themes. For example, in "Travel to Bao Zen Mountain", nearly half of the page is devoted to discussing such a Rational question: If you want to achieve a state beyond the norm in doing anything, you need to make extraordinary efforts and have a strong will. In addition, there is no shortcut.
Wang Anshi's prose is mostly argumentative. He pays less attention to brewing the atmosphere of his articles and moving people emotionally. Instead, he pays more attention to the current shortcomings and puts forward clear propositions based on in-depth analysis. Therefore, his prose generally has strong generalization and logic, concise and simple language, and extraordinary intentions.
Reference materials: http://221.193.230.7/xxshang/09/XK01_NJ06/ZY20050720162117718/WBZY/SC20051018144533625.mht