Page 298 - Decorative Arts, Part II: Far Eastern Ceramics and Paintings, Persian and Indian Rugs and Carpets

The text, dated in accordance with 8 October 1690, is a in the Hanlin Academy in 1682, Yan had the opportunity
birthday commemoration for Pan Qisheng, prefect of to learn more about them, as it was his duty to "revise"
Huzhou, Zhejiang, from 1688 to 1692, composed for the the imperial rhyme-prose piece commending the prize
occasion by Yan Wosi, a native of Huzhou who passed the essays. Pan's brother had finished first in the Jiangnan
metropolitan examination in 1661 and the palace exami- provincial examination of 1677, passed the metropolitan
nation in first place (zhuangyuan) in 1664. Yan, who had examination in 1682, and was himself a corrector in the
retired from public service and was living at home, was Hanlin Academy at the time of these birthday festivities.
renowned for his literary style, and produced this essay at The Pans hailed from Liyang County in Jiangsu, just
the request of Pan's official subordinates. Appended are north of Lake Taihu. Qisheng passed the provincial
the signatures of the sub-prefect, a Qing Plain Yellow examination in 1657, and began his civil service after fail-
Bannerman, and the current magistrates of the seven ing the metropolitan exam in 1661, where Yan first
counties subordinate to Huzhou Prefecture. became aware of his literary talent. He began his tenure as
Huzhou lies at the southern end of Lake Taihu, a prefect in 1688 after serving elsewhere.
marshy region famous for silk production and literati cul- There were seven ways in which Pan distinguished him-
ture. The river that runs through the prefectural city, self in comparison to the ancient prefects, according to
called Tiao, is named for the blossoms that fall from the Yan. First, Yan compares Pan to Lu Dan of the Jin (c. 326),
grasses (Chinese trumpet creeper) lining its banks and who was known for subsisting on tea and fruit and who
cover it like snow in the autumn. Yan Wosi praises Pan for banished his sons and brothers for eating too well. Pan
his good work as prefect, comparing him to ancient mod- dressed and ate plainly and never burdened the people
els and offering him as proof of how selfless, benevolent with his own needs. "The people were comforted by his
service in local office leads to long life and happiness. frugality." Second, Yan compares him to Xie Lan of the
A summary translation follows: "Gentlemen of extraor- Liang (c. 513), who put an unruly group of aristocrats in
dinary talent and great reputation have often served as order upon his arrival. When Pan arrived, there were secret
officials in this place," Yan wrote. "Their writings and their reports of treachery, to which he responded with strict
administrative deeds glorify the historical record, and application of the law. Thereafter, the previously unregu-
among them were many who are 'notable for their good- lated gentry were restrained. Third, Dugu Wensu of the
ness.' Since Jin (265-419) and Liu Song (420-478) times, Tang (762-764) dredged the moat around the prefectural
there has been an orderly procession of them. With clarity city where it had silted up. When Pan arrived, waterworks
and caution of speech, forcefulness and earnestness of along the Tiao were in disarray, the blockage and flooding
action, they have left countless signs of their lasting causing serious damage in the region. Pan organized a
achievements. Densely spread over the mountains and massive labor project, building stone dikes and dredging
streams, these achievements enabled them to enjoy long streams until the problem of flooding was ended.
life. For, whoever loves the people as his own children the Fourth, Yan recalls Teng Yuanfa of the Song (1084-1085),
people do not fail to celebrate in song. The old folks sing of who responded to the provincial educational official Hu
their kindness as blessings from heaven, ensuring that the Yuan's call to revive the schools and recruit scholars. Pan
achievements of worthy prefects of olden times are passed assembled the local scholars and promulgated the
down and meticulously recorded. If we would look among Emperor's instructions concerning the recruitment of
them for one man not only of grace and majesty, but also learned men. He rebuilt the schools, encouraged student
of talent and virtue, one whose achievements are perfectly discipline, honed student skills, and restored scholarship
rooted and destined to last, then over these many thou- funds for the indigent. Fifth, Zhang Ji of the Liang (c. 516)
sands of years none can surpass Pan Qisheng." is remembered for listening closely to the people and less-
Yan regretted that he was unable to know Pan and his ening their burdens by reducing the silk levies and poll tax.
famous brother (also named Pan Qisheng, though the When Pan began to assess the mulberry tax, he learned
names are represented by different characters), when from the villagers that the transport of tribute silks for
their literary reputation as "brothers at home in benevo- which the Tiao region was famous was a particularly oner-
lence" (Analects, 4:2) first began to spread. As a corrector ous burden, and that even the clerks of neighboring pre-

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