Libraly Journal

Libraly Journal ›› 2022, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (2): 142-146.

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Textual Research on Wang Xizhi’s True Birth and Death Years in Shi Shuo Xin Yu : Also on Several Issues in Wang Xizhi’s Research

Yang Miaoping (College of Literature and Journalism, Hanshan Normal University)   

  • Online:2022-02-15 Published:2022-02-23
  • About author:Yang Miaoping (College of Literature and Journalism, Hanshan Normal University)

Abstract: There are many hints in Shi Shuo Xin Yu (also known as A New Account of the Tales of the World) about the time of Wang Xizhi’s birth, engagement, and death. Regarding Wang Xizhi’s birth time, it is stated in The Twenty-seventh Chapter of False Intent: when Wang Dun rebelled for the first time, Wang Xizhi was less than ten years old. It can be seen that Wang Xizhi was born no earlier than 313 AD. Concerning Wang Xizhi’s engagement time, The Sixth Chapter of Yaliang states: when Xi Jian was in Jingkou, one of his former students wrote to Wang Dao (Wang Xizhi’s uncle) to ask Wang Xizhi to be Xi Jian’s son-in-law. Xi Jian began to guard Jingkou in 328 AD. It can be inferred that Wang Xizhi’s engagement date should not be earlier than that year. As for Wang Xizhi’s death time, The Eighth Chapter of Appreciation says: Yu Qian (pet name Ni) wrote the inscription for Wang Xizhi. Yu Qian was killed by Huan Wen in November 371 AD. The Twenty-fifth Chapter of Pai Tiao writes: when Emperor Jian Wen was walking on the temple, Wang Xizhi and Sun Chuo followed him. Emperor Jian Wen took the throne in November 371 AD. Hence, it can be extrapolated that when Emperor Jianwen took the throne, Wang Xizhi was still alive. It follows that the time of Wang Xizhi’s death should be 371 A.D. Therefore, Shi Shuo Xin Yu shows that Wang Xizhi’s true birth and death time was between 313 AD and 371 AD.