A miscellaneous talk can reflect Wu Zhong's scholarly style and the rhythm of the world's people - this is "Su Tan" written by Yang Xunji, a famous scholar in the Ming Dynasty. It is not only a collection of anecdotes, but also a sketch of regional culture intertwined with scenery and humanistic details.
"Su Tan" is a volume written by Yang Xunji (alias Junqian, alias Nanfeng) from Suzhou in the Ming Dynasty. It is a collection of anecdotes, celebrity anecdotes and social customs in the Wuzhong area. There are more than 30 fables and allusions, covering the demeanor of scholars, the spread of medical skills, political style and folk life. The text is simple but meaningful.
The entries in the book, such as Han Gong's flood control, the rise of the Wu School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Suzhou's wine order system, all contain true knowledge and present regional history and cultural features. The author was once a doctor in the Ministry of Rites. He was fond of books and devoted to learning since childhood. He was good at collecting classics and memorizing foreign books. Most of his articles used anecdotes to show human nature and use small things to see big things. He was praised by people.
When you study "Su Tan", you feel like you are strolling through the ancient Wumen Lane, listening to anecdotes about famous officials, and observing the old and new folk customs. You can not only feel the profound heritage of Southeastern culture, but also understand the realm of literati listening to the subtle life between officialdom and the market.
