A Record of the Life of Wang Niansun

was the private record of the life of Wang Niansun by his son Wang Yinzhi. To some extent

Wang Yinzhi’s selection and evaluation of Wang Niansun’s deeds in life were determined by his family background with several generation being scholars holding high positions in the government. This also reflected his own thought for the practical application of studies in life.

A Record of the Life of Wang Niansun

depicted Wang Niansun’s political practice with priority

and focused on his impeaching He Shen and three-time working as river administrator

so as to show his concern for and practice in social issues. At the same time

the record also reflected the author’s Confucian ideals

from which we can get a glimpse of the important characteristics of scholarship during Emperor Qianlong and Jiaqing’s Reign in the Qing Dynasty

which emphasized textual research but not regarded it as the only important thing

and rather attached great importance to practical work. The reason why

A Record of the Life of Wang Niansun

was imbued with the eager spirit of practical application was closely related to the thoughts of Wang Niansun and Wang Yinzhi. Through the concrete analysis of

A Record of the Life of Wang Niansun

we can have a more comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of scholarship during Emperor Qianlong and Jiaqing’s Reign in the Qing Dynasty

and better grasp the development of Confucianism in the Qing Dynasty.