The Rural World of the Song Dynasty in Lu You's Verses

Examining Lu You's (1125-1210) poems about the countryside, this book recreates the rural communities of the Shankuai Plain in eastern Zhejiang during the Southern Song Dynasty. Spanning six chapters, the book recounts the history of the region, covering topics such as the development of the area, rural community life, and the farming-based economy. Through examining aspects such as the local geography, village layouts, crops cultivated and trade activities, it depicts the daily lives of ordinary villagers and the educated elite. Drawing on small details from a vast number of Lu You's poems, the author explores how local markets and businesses operated, and the influence of the educated elite on the rural world. By using ancient poems and local historical records to support each other, the book describes the social and economic networks of the plain. In a vivid manner, it portrays Lu You as an exceptional chronicler of pastoral life in ancient China. It is intended for general readers, as well as students and scholars of literature and history, and anyone interested in traditional Chinese culture. Focusing on the history of the Southern Song Dynasty, it also offers insights into literature, sociology, economics, and more.

Bao Weimin, Professor and Director at Center for Historical Research, Hangzhou City University and President of the Chinese Society for the Study of Song Dynasty History (2014-2022). His research interests are Song Dynasty history, ancient Chinese economic history, and the modern regional history of south-eastern China. He has published a substantial number of influential articles and seminal works in the field of historical research. He is Chief Editor of Selected Documents from the Longquan Judicial Archives (2012-2019), a landmark historical source collection published in five series comprising 96 volumes. In 2012, he was appointed as a Yangtze Scholar by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

1. Introduction 2. The Regional Development: Whispers of Poetry Dance, Where Beauty Convenes 3. The Rural Society: Men Toil with Shared Purpose in Spring's Breeze 4. The Agricultural Economy: The Rice Seedlings Yet to Plant, Wheat Ripens in the Sun 5. The Rural Diet and Livelihood: Feasting on Fish, Chu's Custom, A Taste I Gloat 6. Commerce and Trade: Village Shops Display Beans on Trays that Glow 7. The Rural Life: A Sight Embraced by Villagers with Awe and Delight 8. Concluding Remarks