Wang Shizhen and the Literary Circle

Wang Shizhen, a poet in early Qing, once assumed a post of Tui Guan in Yangzhou for five years. This official experience served as a crucial step towards his success on politics and literature. Wang took advantage of his family background, social status, and literary talent to cultivate close relations with adherents of Ming in the South of the Changjiang River. The latter had influence on public opinions. He frequently gave banquets in Yangzhou and many invited poets wrote poems on the spot. In addition, he made friends with many poets in Suzhou, Changzhou, and Jinling. Wang was then acclaimed by adherents of Ming as a friend of common people. Wang also helped young scholars publish their works. He became a leader in the literary world.