方苞『狱中杂记』与桐城派之建构

Abstract

Fang Bao, despite his entanglement in the notorious "Nanshan Collection Case," a significant literary inquisition of the Qing dynasty, was fortunate to be pardoned due to the intercession and recommendation of Li Guangdi, coupled with Emperor Kangxi's extraordinary leniency. This turn of events marked a significant shift in his fortunes, leading him to become a close confidant of Emperor Kangxi. Fang Bao's experiences during his imprisonment led him to pen Random Notes from Prison (Yuzhong Zaji), a work that meticulously records his observations and experiences within the Ministry of Punishments' prison. This document, while seemingly a personal account, objectively contributed to the reform and management of prisons within the Qing court. It is crucial to note that Fang Bao's intent in writing this piece was not to critique the Qing regime. Instead, it served as a means to offer strategic counsel to the court, thereby affirming his unwavering loyalty to the Qing political establishment. Random Notes from Prison thus signifies a pivotal moment for the literati-officials of the Tongcheng School. Following the "Nanshan Collection Case," their political stance and literary style underwent significant adjustments and transformations. This evolution was a direct consequence of the interplay between the Qing court's stringent political and cultural pressures and the Tongcheng literati's subsequent submission and self-adaptation. This period is now recognized by later generations as the genesis of the Tongcheng School's unique "ancient prose" (guwen) paradigm and its associated theoretical framework.