典藏书目

In the fourteenth day of the eighth month of the Ren-Shen year (1872), Hu Fupu, a Langzhong (Director) in the Ministry of Revenue, died of illness in his Beijing residence at the age of forty-eight. When the obituary arrived, I, Peixi, wrote an essay to mourn him. The *Jiaoyi Suwen* (Corrected Meanings of the *Suwen* chapter of the *Huangdi Neijing*) written by Mr. Hu has now been engraved and published in the capital by Pan Boyin, the Minister of Justice. Considering that scholars from the south find it difficult to obtain this book, I have reprinted and disseminated it. I feel that having studied together in our youth and shared similar aspirations in adulthood, I know Mr. Hu most profoundly. Having compiled his life events, I write this biography to request its inclusion in historical records, so that future generations may have something to reference.

Mr. Hu’s given name was Shu, courtesy name Fupu, also known as Ganbo, and pseudonym Shisheng. He was from the north of Jixi County. His ancestor, Sanshan Gong, named Shunzhi, was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the imperial examination) in the third year of Daguang (1109) during the Song Dynasty. He served successively as Daizhi (Attendant Official) of the Huiyou Pavilion and was posthumously granted the title of Grand Preceptor. His official career is recorded in the *History of Song*. He authored *Lunyu Yi* (Meanings of the *Analects*), *Shilv* (Military Regulations), *Zhenyuan Zouyi Wenji* (Collected Essays on Military Strategy and Memorials), *Yongshi Shi* (Poems on Historical Events), and *Sanshan Laoren Yulu* (Recorded Sayings of Old Man Sanshan). His second son, Tiaoxi Gong, named Zai, served as Magistrate of Jinling County and authored *Kongzi Biannian* (Chronological History of Confucius) and *Tiaoxi Yuyin Conghua* (Miscellaneous Talks from Tiaoxi Fisherman). These works were included in the *Siku Quanshu* (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries) of our dynasty.

Transmitting to the Ming Dynasty, Chonghuan Gong, named Shishen, was a Jinshi in the Yiwu year of Wanli (1655). He rose to the position of Youqian Duyushi (Vice Censor-in-Chief), served as Governor of Baoding and other prefectures, and supervised the Zhangji Pass and other fortresses. His official career is recorded in local gazetteers. He authored *Dufu Zouyi* (Memorials of Governors) and *Bianyuan Tuji* (Illustrated Records of Border Fortifications); he was the eight-generation ancestor of Mr. Hu. From Chonghuan Gong downwards, until our dynasty, their virtuous deeds remained hidden and uncelebrated.

Mr. Hu’s great-grandfather was named Lisan, posthumously granted Rulinlang (Scholarly Gentleman). His grandfather, Shimwei Gong, named Shiwei, was appointed Dengshilang (Official of the Court) by precedent, posthumously granted Rulinlang, and later promoted to Chaoyidafu (Grand Master of Ceremonies). His father, Zhenghui Gong, named Shangyu, was appointed Rulinlang, selected for the position of Tongzhi (Assistant Prefect) of a Directly Administered Prefecture, and posthumously granted Fengzheng Dafu (Grand Master of Benevolent Governance). His great-grandmother Gao was posthumously granted Anren (Lady of Peace); grandmother Xu was posthumously granted Anren and later Gongren (Lady of Respect); mother Zhou and biological mother Cheng were both posthumously granted Yiren (Lady of Suitability); concubine Ye was sealed as Anren by precedent.

The Tongzhi Gong (his father) was naturally filial and fraternal. As the family was poor, fearing he could not provide for his parents’ sustenance, he abandoned scholarship for commerce, traveling between Jiangsu and Zhejiang for decades, thereby accumulating wealth. He was renowned for his love of righteousness and generosity, participating in all charitable acts in the county. At fifty, he had no sons; at seventy, he had seven sons. People said this was the reward for accumulated goodness, and Mr. Hu was the eldest.

Mr. Hu was intelligent and perceptive from childhood, deeply loved by his parents. One day, Tongzhi Gong passed by my late father’s study and saw how we brothers were taught. He felt admiration and surprise, and thus arranged for Mr. Hu to become a student under my father. Mr. Hu was nine years old then, and I was twelve. From then until we reached the age of twenty (weak crown), everything regarding reading, writing, eating, drinking, living, and dwelling was shared with Mr. Hu. Mr. Hu was silent and spoke little; his recitation required no supervision or reprimand. My late father regarded him as different from other disciples. At fourteen, he suffered the mourning of his biological mother, Lady Cheng, showing grief and physical decline like an adult, and already had a reputation for literature. At sixteen or seventeen, he formed a society with famous scholars in the county to exchange poems. In the autumn of the Xin-Chou year, they held a purification ritual at Shizhao Mountain east of the county, drawing pictures and composing poems. Mr. Hu was the youngest, yet all his peers were convinced by his talent.

In the autumn of the Gui-Mao year, my late father fell ill. Mr. Hu and I traveled twenty li by night and day to seek medicine. After my late father passed away, I patched clothes and lived with Peixi and his brothers in hardship. The ancients called this "heart-mourning," which was seen in Mr. Hu. In the Jia-Chen year, Mr. Hu and the Peixi brothers studied at the Ziyang Academy in the prefectural city. That year, due to his knowledge of ancient learning, he was recognized by Ji Wenmin Gong Zhichang, the Education Commissioner, and became a Shengyuan (Student) of Huizhou Prefecture. In the Bing-Wu year, Peixi and Mr. Hu went to Jinling to take the provincial examination. We boated through the Han River, visiting scenic spots like Hongqiao and Zhu Xi. Stranded by wind in Jingkou, we climbed the pagoda of Jinshan Temple. Halfway up, Peixi wanted to stop, but Mr. Hu strongly pulled my hand, leading us directly to the summit. Afterwards, we passed Wumen, traced the Qiantang River, and boated on West Lake for a month before returning. At that time, we purchased the works of Mr. Hong Zhicun, Sun Kairu, and Huang Zhongze. Mr. Hu was inspired and ambitious. In Mr. Sun Kairu’s collection, there is an essay titled *Shi Ren* (Explaining People). Mr. Hu extensively researched ancient teachings to clarify and prove its meaning. Mr. Zhu Liangfu Youzeng of Jiading read this work and said, "I am fifty years old and have met many people. It is rare to see someone as young and eager to learn as Mr. Hu." Mr. Hu further encouraged himself, often thinking of achieving fame and success to glorify his parents.

Not long after, Lady Zhou Taiyi and Tongzhi Gong passed away successively. After Mr. Hu completed the funeral arrangements, he carried his books to Hangzhou to study the Eight-Legged Essay under Miao Wulie Gong Zi from Liyang. Before reaching twenty, Mr. Hu’s writings did not strictly follow conventions but often showed vigorous spirit. Thereafter, Wulie Gong taught him the methods of classical prose for writing essays. Mr. Hu was delighted. Whenever he heard the Master’s discussions, he recorded them in a compilation called *Zunwen Lu* (Record of Reverent Listening), striving to master the learning through mental imitation and practical application. In the Ji-Wei year, Mr. Hu passed the provincial examination. In the spring of the Geng-Shen year, he went to the capital for the metropolitan examination, but turned back due to blocked roads at Qingjiang. In February of that year, the Taiping rebels raided Jixi, and Mr. Hu’s former large house burned down in one night, leaving his heritage in ruins. Hangzhou soon fell. When Mr. Hu returned, he had no home, so he took his family and fled east and west of Zhejiang. Since then, amidst raging fires, he had almost nowhere to rely on.

In the Ren-Xu year, Hangzhou fell again. Mr. Hu took his young son Liangju and navigated dangerous paths to reach Suzhou, where rescue allowed them to escape. Subsequently, he boarded a steamship in Shanghai and headed north. In the Yi-Chou year, he failed the metropolitan examination and obtained the position of Zhongshu (Secretarial Official) in the Grand Secretariat by precedent. Soon after, he requested leave to return south. In the Wu-Yin year, he failed the metropolitan examination again. He then donated money for the position of Langzhong (Director) and was assigned to the Shanxi Department of the Ministry of Revenue. At that time, the officialdom was crowded, and many clerks were waiting for vacancies. With low seniority, Mr. Hu could not distinguish himself, so he continued to write and avoided casual socializing. His constitution was always weak, and the hardships he endured depleted his energy. In February of the Ren-Shen year, Mr. Hu wrote to me: "I once observed that when rushing through dust and wind, the iron pins on cart axles wear down by more than an inch each year. How much more so for a fragile body subjected to such conditions? Since coming to the capital, my hemorrhoids have become a chronic disease, recurring without rest, and other ailments afflict me monthly. Before reaching fifty, my enthusiasm wanes. In a few years, I will prepare to retire. What is better than having dozens of books to pass on to posterity and good descendants to preserve them? This surpasses being a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households. I ponder and admire this, yet my scribblings achieve nothing, which is terrifying." This was Mr. Hu’s last letter.

Alas! Mr. Hu was indifferent to official career but devoted to writing. Xiangjian, my elder brother Zhucun, and Nianzhang Hao Langao, all served in the Ministry of Revenue and were famous for their unique scholarship. I hoped Mr. Hu would follow their footsteps. Why did Heaven stingily grant him neither opportunity nor longevity? Thus, he achieved neither in officialdom nor in writing, dying depressed with his ambitions unfulfilled—this is the greatest sorrow of human life.

From youth, Mr. Hu possessed extreme filial piety. He always maintained a pleasant expression towards his parents, retaining the devotion of a child throughout his life. He was especially affectionate towards his younger brothers. His youngest brother, Xianglin, served as a military officer in Quzhou as a reserve official. Exhausted and ill, upon hearing the news, Mr. Hu hastily packed and went to Quzhou to procure medicine and measure water for him, never removing his clothes for a whole month. After his brother died, he escorted the coffin back for burial. Passersby were moved to tears by his grief. Mr. Hu was of medium height, delicate and frail, seemingly unable to bear the weight of his clothes, yet he showed courage in emergencies. For close friends, he shared hardships and entrusted lives, resolutely taking responsibility. He was approachable, gentle, and kind, making people fond of him. However, he clearly distinguished right from wrong and refused to conform to vulgar trends. He once kept a private register of his friends, ranking them. I jokingly asked, "Are you conducting a Yue Dan Ping (critical evaluation) or compiling a table of ancient and modern figures?" Mr. Hu smiled and declined to answer.

Peixi and Mr. Hu served under Miao Wulie Gong for six or seven years. Together with fellow students Zhou Shuangeng from Yuyao, Zhao Shu from Kuaiji, Wang Xituo and the brothers Miuzhi Ting and Zixun from Liyang, we exchanged ideas on literature and morality. These gentlemen possessed great talent but all deeply admired Mr. Hu. They enjoyed searching for rare texts and scenic spots, but were unhappy if Mr. Hu was absent. Scholars proficient in classics, such as Yang Jianshan from Gui’an and Dai Zigao from Deqing, felt they knew Mr. Hu from old acquaintance. When residing in the capital, Mr. Pan Boyin, then Vice Minister of Revenue, introduced him as a literary friend. The Tang monk Zhanran’s *Fuxing Ji*, published by Pan’s Pangxi Studio, was compiled by Mr. Hu. When Mr. Hu entered the Ministry of Revenue by donation, Mr. Wang Xituo provided substantial financial support. After Mr. Hu’s death, Nong Si nong (Minister of Revenue) and Bi bu Jia Yunmei managed his funeral, returned his coffin and family to their hometown, and printed his remaining works. The friendship shown by these gentlemen was unparalleled, brought about by Mr. Hu’s virtue.

Mr. Hu could compose poetry since childhood. Initially imitating Li Bai, he later felt his work unworthy of transmission and stopped writing poetry. He rarely wrote parallel prose with Qi and Liang styles. My late father taught him Duan Yucai’s commentary on *Shuowen Jiezi*, Gu Yanwu’s *Wuyin Shuwu*, and Jiang Shizheng’s *Qisheng Qieyun Biao*, enabling him to master phonology and exegesis. Later, seeing the works of the Wang family from Gaoyou, he cherished them even more. Even in inns, with dust covering the desk, he would read in his spare time, searching for meanings. Finding one insight would bring him joy for days. After the Geng-Shen year, we could not meet often, but whenever we did, we discussed our insights tirelessly.

His early works, including *Shiren Shuzheng*, *Zuozhuan Fushi Zhu Yi*, and *Tongsu Xuan Shuzheng*, were destroyed in the war. In middle age, frequent illnesses led him to study medicine, showing occasional profound understanding. Later, in a Beijing bookstore, he acquired a Song edition of the *Neijing*. He meticulously collated it using the Yuan Xiong edition, the Ming Daozang edition, and pre-Tang ancient texts, elucidating ancient meanings to draft the *Neijing Jiaoyi*. Unfinished, only dozens of entries remain. His explanations are precise, following the style of Wang Niansun’s *Dushu Zazhi*. He also edited and annotated his elder brother’s *Kongzi Biannian*, adding a preface based on extensive research into Confucius’s deeds found in other books, praising its comprehensiveness. He also produced collated editions of *Huainanzi* and *Yiqie Jing Yinyi*. He authored *Moshou Bian* and *Zhengming Lu*, both unfinished. Mr. Hu excelled in seal script, inheriting the style of Qin and Han dynasties, which scholars still cherish. He loved collecting books, visiting the Liulichang bookstores after work daily. If he liked a book, he bought it regardless of cost, even pawning items. His collection reached over 5,000 volumes. He once said, "I admire Shuxiang from the Spring and Autumn period and Liu Xiang from the Western Han. I wish to name my hall 'Erxiang Tang' (Hall of Two Xiangs)." Such was his aspiration.

Our clan is numerous. Peixi and Mr. Hu share the same ancestor for fifteen generations before branching out. Peixi is Mr. Hu’s clan uncle-grandfather. Mr. Hu studied under my late father in his youth, leading to close intimacy. Through many hardships, he relied on each other like left and right hands. When Peixi faced difficulties, Mr. Hu often pawned clothes to help. When Peixi was framed by a relative, Mr. Hu protected him without avoiding suspicion or resentment. Peixi’s temperament was narrow and hasty, often mishandling affairs. Mr. Hu gently admonished him. When Peixi was depressed, a single word from Mr. Hu dissolved his gloom. From youth to old age, for decades, sharing joys and sorrows without changing hearts due to rise and fall, there was only Mr. Hu. I thought he would be my Bao Shu (friend) in life and Ju Qing (martyr for friendship) in death. Who expected him to pass away before me? How sad!

Mr. Hu was born on the second day of the fourth month of the Yi-You year (1825) in the Daoguang era. He died and was buried at Hongshangtang outside the south gate of the county. He married Lady Zhou, sealed as Yiren, and later Lady Wan. Sons: Lianggong (eldest, from Zhou), nominated for a ninth-rank office; Liangju (second, from Wan), Imperial College Student. Daughters: two (both from Zhou), one married to Li, one to Sun. The grandson, Liangju, had a dignified appearance and mannerisms resembling Mr. Hu, likely capable of continuing his scholarly legacy.

In the eighth month of the Geng-Chen year (1880), Clan Uncle-Grandfather Peixi respectfully writes this biography.