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Abstract
Liu Zongyuan has occupied a lofty position in the history of Chinese literature. Many of his works have been often discussed in a topic study so far, such as “Jiang Xue”, “Feudalism” and “Eight Records of Excursions in Yongzhou”, of which the “Eight Records of Excursions in Yongzhou” is a masterpiece of travel notes of ancient China. In this work, it has vividly expressed people’s love of nature, not only enriching human life but also making a soul grow up. In addition to allegory poems, Liu Zongyuan wrote many fables, among which “San Jie”, “The Donkey of Guizhou”, “The Rats of a Yong’s Householder” and ‘Riverside’s Elk” have become famous ancient fables. Liu Zongyuan is a man who are erudite, talented, motivated and aggressive. During his service in the imperial court, his talent was highly appreciated and praised by some high-ranking court officials and his peers and friends.
This paper puts its research focus on the two periods Liu Zongyuan lived in Yongzhou and Liuzhou by using Liu Zongyuan Ji (Liu Zongyuan’s collected works) as its text research, which is divided into five chapters. Chapter I consists of four sections, including introduction, research motive, research purpose and predecessor research. In chapter II, I have focused on the life of Liu Zongyuan and described it in detail from early stage, middle stage to late stage. In chapter III, I have introduced Liu Zongyuan’s poems in the period of living in Yongzhou when he travelled around the whole Yongzhou and created poems from travel inspiration. In all the works he created in Yongzhou, he very often mentioned his ambition “Reviving the way of Yao, Shun and Confucius so that people can live and work in peace” made in his youth when he witnessed the chaotically political situation. In chapter IV, I have introduced Liu Zongyuan’s poems in the period of living in Liuzhou and have further compared them with those created in Yongzhou. During this period, he endeavered to develop Liuzhou and made it become a prosperous city by means of carrying forward the spirit of benevolence of Yao, Shun and Confucius and also following their way. His benevolent policies, including the establishment of the law, the implementation of benevolent policy and the lifting of the unequal treaties on slavery, were a great benefit to local people. From this point, we have given a positive response to the spirit of Liu Zongyuan and his benevolent actions. Chapter V is to draw a conclusion.
Keywords: Liu Zongyuan, Yongzhou, Liuzhou, poetry
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