论桐城古文的“因时”之统—— 以管同『拟言风俗书』为中心

Abstract

The classical prose(古文) of the Tongcheng(桐城) School is deeply rooted in the Confucian classics and histories, characterized by its focus on contemporary social issues and political administration—rightly earning its reputation as the "prose of Confucian scholars." Beginning with Fang Bao, the school emphasized that prose must possess "substantive content"and "logical order". This tradition evolved through Mei Zengliang(梅曾亮), who advocated for literature that adapts to the times, and Yao Ying, who stressed "statecraft" and "broad learning," prioritizing the practical utility of writing. By the time of Zeng Guofan(曾國藩), the school’s focus shifted decisively toward "the study of statecraft". The Tongcheng School possessed an inherent tradition of "adapting to the era" (因時), producing numerous masterpieces that engaged with and critiqued contemporary society. A preeminent example of this is Guan Tong(管同)’s Ni Yan Fengsu Shu(擬言風俗書). Such political essays represent the "temporally relevant" dimension of Tongcheng prose, distinguishing it from the writings of contemporary Jingxue(經學) scholars, which were often criticized for being "entirely detached from the times." This study argues that the Tongcheng School’s engagement with worldly affairs was a crucial factor in its establishment as the "Orthodox School of Classical Prose". Clarifying this pragmatic dimension allows for a more profound understanding of the literary ecosystem during the Qing Dynasty.