晚明「世說體」之滄海遺珠：林茂桂及其《南北朝新語》述論

A Hidden Gem of“Shishuo style”in Late Ming Literature: Lin Maogui and His“New Tales of the Northern and Southern Dynasties”

明・林茂桂・《南北朝新語》是一部稀世罕見的明版善本古籍，原為金石藏書家霍蔭齡珍藏，後由其夫人陳君瑋捐贈給天津師範大學圖書館，此書始重現於世，極富文獻價值與研究潛力。林茂桂是明神宗萬曆年進士，雅愛江左清談綺語，因事罷官歸田之後，取法劉義慶《世說新語》體例，積三十年歲月檢尋《南史》、《北史》史料，集得名流軼事二千三百餘則。其同鄉學友，有評書知縣美稱的詹世顯「見而異之，亟乞以歸」，認為《世說新語》系列之書「有晉，必不可無南北朝⋯⋯迺積四稔俸餘，捐而付之剞劂氏。」於明熹宗天啓元年辛酉（1621）序刊，惜未為人知賞，即亡佚失蹤，最後由上海藏書家霍蔭齡購得保存。《南北朝新語》全書共分4卷，每卷15-16門類，總計62門類，其中同於《世說新語》者12門，其餘50門類或近似於《世說新語》者，或分化自《世說新語》者，也有新增之篇目，雖有容乃大，但失之龐雜；蓋以一人之力編輯所限也。南北朝繼承兩晉高儁風流，重以胡地驍勇頑強之性，人物瑰傑，軼事警策有趣，加上林茂桂善於選材，且文筆簡練，敘事遒勁，可謂得《世說新語》悠遠冷雋之妙。本文從晚明「世說體」的編輯語境出發，解說林茂桂編輯《南北朝新語》的文化立場；並介紹此書的分篇、版式，詹子忠的刻印、評語，冀能發露《南北朝新語》遺珠之光。

“New Tales of the Northern and Southern Dynasties”, by Lin Maogui, is a rare and precious ancient text from the Ming period, which was originally treasured by bibliophile and epigrapher Huo Yinling and later donated to Tianjin Normal University Library by his wife Chen Junwei. This text has resurfaced with significant scholarly value and research potential. Lin Maogui, a jinshi during the reign of Emperor Wanli, had a deep appreciation for Qingtan. After leaving official service, he followed the model of Liu Yiqing's“Shi Shuo Xin Yu”and collected over 2,300 anecdotes of notable figures from“Nan Shi”and“Bei Shi”. His friend Zhan Shixian, known as a book critic, was struck by its uniqueness and eagerly requested to take it home. He believed that among the Shishuo style series of books, the Southern and Northern Dynasties must not be omitted if Jin Dynasty was covered. Thus, he saved four years' salary for financing the publication. The work was finally published in 1630 during Emperor Chongzhen's reign, but regrettably remained unrecognized and eventually lost to history until Shanghai bibliophile Huo Yinling acquired and preserved it.“New Tales of the Northern and Southern Dynasties”consists of four sections with 15-16 chapters per section, totaling 62 chapters. Twelve chapters match with“Shi Shuo Xin Yu”. The remaining 50 chapters may resemble with“Shi Shuo Xin Yu”, or are new additions. Although it seems comprehensive, the categorization also appears disorganized, likely due to the limitations of single-handed compilation. The Northern and Southern Dynasties inherited the refined culture of Jin dynasties while incorporating the martial valor characteristic of the northern regions. The remarkable characters, inspiring and interesting anecdotes, the author’s skillful selection of materials and concise and vigorous writing style, capturing the subtle charm of“Shi Shuo Xin Yu”. This article will examine Lin Maogui's cultural perspective in compiling“New Tales of the Northern and Southern Dynasties”within the context of late Ming“Shishuo style”literature and introduce the chapters, format, Zhan Zizhong's printing and comments of this work, aiming to reveal the brilliance of this hidden gem.