An Examination of Cai Zhengsun:Based on His Tang Song QianJia LianZhu ShiGe

Cai Zhengsun was an important poetic commentator of the last stage of the Song Dynasty and the first stage of the Yuan Dynasty, his ShiLin GuangJi was valued. About Cai Zhengsun's life, Guo Shaoyu's Song Shihua Kao told us no more than that he was a student of Xie Fangde. Quan Song Shi includes his two poems only. Cai's poetical theory was only reflected indirectly from the poems and comments of other people elected by him. Few know Tang Song QianJia LianZhu ShiGe 20 volumes edited by Cai Zhengsun, including poems of one thousand poets of the Tang and Song Dynasties, especially the poems of the last stage of the Song Dynasty. On the basis of this book, in the present essay, the author examines and tells Cai Zhengsun's birthday and life, compiles and discusses Cai's 58 poems, researches and comments his poetical theory.