References

• 《四庫全書總目提要·卷118 子部·雜家類二》

Source: 'Tánzhāi TōngbiĀn' is a single-volume work whose author remains unknown. However, it is attributed to Xíng Kǎi (邢凱) of the Song dynasty in 'Shuōfú' (《說郛》), though details about his background and era are not provided. The content of the book spans various periods, including events from the reign of Emperor Xiaozong (such as a discussion on surnames with Lěng Shìguāng during the Chúnxī era) and the Qìngyuán era, featuring accounts of Gāo Bǐngwén's assignment of a topic to Jīng Chǔng to criticize the eunuch Wáng Déqiān, and references to Yáng Chéngzhāi's 'Yìzhuàn' (《易傳》). This suggests that the book was completed after the reign of Emperor Níngzōng. The work also includes a record of Wáng Níng serving as the magistrate of Wǔníng in 1171, during the Qiándào era, indicating that the author was from Wǔníng. The book is characterized by its extensive examination of classical texts and historical events, similar in style to Chéng Dàchāng's 'Yǎn Fán Lù' (《演繁露》) and Hóng Mài's 'Róngzhāi Suíbǐ' (《容齋隨筆）). Some of the notable discussions in 'Tánzhāi Tōngbīan' include: - An analysis of the poem "Sī Qí" to argue that Wénmǔ Tàirén was not Tàisì. - A reference to 'Shuōyuàn' to verify the historical use of the phrase "shǐ yú" during the Spring and Autumn period. - A discussion from 'Shìshuō' to clarify the meaning of "Yuánlóng's hundred-foot tower." - A reference to 'Hànshū' to demonstrate that the title "Fúbō" should not be used alone. - An examination of 'Guoyǔ' to show that the term "Western Sage" in 'Lièzǐ' does not refer to Buddha. - A reference to 'Míngtáng Wèi' by Zhèng Zhuān to clarify the term "tūwēng" in 'Hànshū'. - A critique of 'Hànshū' for its internal contradictions, as seen in the biography of Zhū Mǎichén and the 'Zhang Tang Zhuan'. - An analysis of 'Lǐ Jífǔ Zhuan' to highlight inconsistencies in 'Tángshū'. - A discussion of the origin of the phrases "chái láng dāng dào" and "zhì niǎo lěi bǎi," showing that they were not first used by Zhāng Gāng and Kǒng Róng, respectively. - An examination of various topics such as the fallacies in choosing auspicious days and the five tones' association with surnames, the role of human effort versus fate, the importance of addressing corruption during famine, the myth of Luófú Mountain's flying peak, and the differing punishments for the same crime during the Han dynasty. The book also includes philosophical discussions, such as the argument that despite their great wisdom, Confucian disciples like Yán Huí and Zēng Shēn should not be seated above their fathers, and the proposal to build a separate hall to honor their fathers. This suggestion was later adopted in the construction of the Qǐshèng Cí, demonstrating the author's deep understanding of ritual propriety. 'Tánzhāi Tōngbian' is not listed in the 'Song History' or other bibliographies. The original volume and its contents are uncertain, but the existing content has been compiled from various sections of the 'Yǒnglè Dàdiǎn' (《永樂大典》，'Yongle Encyclopedia'). Despite containing only a few dozen entries, the book is rich in valuable insights and scholarly contributions. ==References== * 《四庫全書總目提要·卷118 子部·雜家類二》