A study of WANG An-shi's Yi jie

The Yz jie 易解, Interpretation of the Yi (Book of Changes) was completed by WANG An-shi in 1035-1036 during the reign of Emperor Ren zong of Song. Not discussing huti 互体 interlocking method (by which in a hexagram the second, third, and fourth lines can form a new trigram. and the third, fourth, and fifth form another new trigram), not applying the images and numbers in interpreting Yi are characteristic of the book, belonging to philosophical school in the Northern Song Dynasty' s Yi studies. It stresses lexical exegesis by which the implications are made clear, and proves the connotations conceived in Yi by historical events. In the book, the discussions on social philosophy, reform, and finance administration play an important role in WANG An-shi's whole academic system.