英文摘要 |
In Shui Jing Zhu, apart from describing the natural geographical features of waterways such as the terrain, flow, tributaries and drainage basins, there was also copious documentation of the socio-cultural geography. These writings are further distinguished from the commonplace accounts of local highlights, to include heritage, people, products, culture, and artifacts. These, along with perhaps incidental commentaries on other subjects, fully reveal Li's range and depth as a refined cultural scholar of Humanities, and a humanitarian. Therefore Shui Jing Zhu is not only a classical masterpiece in natural geography and its contemporaneous histories, but a valuable reference book in studies into Chinese medieval humanities. This report will not only concentrate on the prevalence of these contents in Li's scholarship, it will seek to identify them in the context of the five following areas: I. Being an effective official who served in the Northern Dynasty, Li nonetheless was well-versed in literatures of Han, Wei and the Six Dynasties. He showed particular interest in poetic writings that contained geographical information. Using appropriate quotes from literary classics to accentuate his geographical documentation was the first striking characteristic of Shui Jing Zhu. II. Chinese medieval Southern Dynasties saw much development in Mysticism, artistic aesthetics, and literary expressions to admire sceneries. Li applied contemporaneous philosophies and aesthetics in his description of the landscapes, to great effect. III. Li as a scholar-official discussed policy considerations buttressing the society and peoples' livelihood, on subjects such as flood control and hydro-engineering, where he paid particular attention to first-hand local experiments, and opposed to un-natural approaches. IV. Li recorded many water-side legends. His choosing of material was predicated on his moral orientation and rational judgment, so as to produce positive influences. V. Li demonstrated ability to reason and a humanitarian standing ahead of his time, toward many questions of the preternatural and spiritual. |