Abstract：The ideological trend of article reform with “Yan-Xu” as the suzerain occurred in the Periods of Tang Gaozong, Wu Zetian and the early years of Tang Xuanzong. In the long course of “three transforms of essays in the Tang Dynasty”, it has the significance and value of connecting the past and the future. Heretofore, the academic circles have discussed the rise and fall of essays in the Tang Dynasty, with the focus still limited to the “ancient literary movement” advocated by Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan. However, the motivation, process and connotation of the times that Zhang Yue and others promoted the change of essays between the early and prosperous Tang Dynasties have not been given due attention and research.Before Zhang Yue and Su Ting led the literary revolution with “great style”, Li Qiao, Cui Rong, Su Weidao, Du Shenyan, Xu Jian, Song Zhiwen and other “Zhuying Xueshi (珠英学士)” were known as the court and the public for their rich and elegant application of parallel prose. They used classics and histories to help essays, and formed a broad consensus on creative ideas, value judgments and aesthetic pursuits. The works, such as the apocalypse, the preface, inscription, generally presented the elegant style of understanding thoroughly, not only providing a writing example for the world’s students but also a positive and far-reaching impact on the style transformation which can be described as the prelude to the “Yan-Xu”.From the autocracy of Wu Zetian to the Kaiyuan era of Xuanzong, the system design of imperial examinations which emphasized on Ci Fu and Strategy was not only related to the cultivation of the stylistic consciousness and aesthetic taste of the elite class but it also created a considerable number of parallel prose saints, laying an extremely broad social foundation for the change of essays in the Tang Dynasty. In order to meet the imperial examination needs of the students, Zayong Shi (《杂咏诗》), Tuyuan Cefu (《兔园策府》) and Chuxue Ji (《初学记》) and other practical “classic books” were born. This kind of literary enlightenment work, which compiles Confucian classics and history materials, follows categories and takes convenience, was initially set up for the counter measures to master the stylistic requirements, and evolve into an indispensable desk reference book for the authors of Ci Fu and the application of parallel prose. In other words, this practical “encyclopedia” is not only the intermediary between the study of classics and history and the writing of essays but also the academic logic of the change of Tang literature.The wave of cultural change based on “Yan-Xu” was different from the past in terms of theme, task and evolution mechanism. Zhang Yue and Su Ting not only had close contacts with contemporary celebrities such as “Zhuying Xueshi” but they also encouraged new comers, thus preparing talent conditions for leading the change of style of writing. They were in prosperous times, faced new cultural development trends, advocated the Confucian classics, dethroned the impetuous through the “imperial edict” and other parallel prose, discussed politics, expressed emotions, hoping to inspire the students and revitalizing the culture. The parallel prose written by them fully expressed the value pursuit of deep thoughts and literary content. In terms of art, Zhang Yue and others always adhered to an open attitude, absorbed all kinds of strong points. They used classics and histories to assist their essays, and combined parallel prose to form elegant words, thus establishing a more dynamic composition method.
张兴武. 以“燕许”为宗的唐文变革考论[J]. 浙江大学学报(人文社会科学版), 2024, 54(5): 87-96.
Zhang Xingwu. A Study of the Reform of Tang Literature Based on "Yan-Xu". JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, 2024, 54(5): 87-96.
2024, Vol. 54 
