Renlun datong fu 人倫大統賦

Renlun datong fu 人倫大統賦 is a rhapsody on human relationships from the perspective of fate written by Zhang Xingjian 張行簡 (jinshi degree 1179) and commented during the Yuan period 元 (1279-1368) by Xue Yannian 薛延年 (fl. 1313).

Zhang Xingjian, courtesy name Jingfu 敬甫, hailed from the prefecture of Jizhou 莒州 (in today's Shandong province) which was at the time part of the Jurchen Jin empire 金 (1115-1234). He held the offices of Minister of Rites (libu shangshu 禮部尚書), Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy (Hanlin xueshi 翰林學士) and Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent (taizi taifu 太子太傅). His posthumous title is Master Wenzheng 張文正公. Zhang combined astronomy with astrology. Apart from this book, he was also the author of a book on rites, Li lizuan 禮例纂. Zhang's authorship of the 2-juan-long Renlun datong fu is attested in the Ming-period 明 (1368-1644) encyclopaedia Yongle dadian 永樂大典, while the book catalogue Qianqingtang shumu 千頃堂書目 mentions no author.

The preface was written by Xue Yannian in 1313. Xue praises Zhang's book for its elimination of the excessive verbosity of various sources and its ability to carve out the essential principles of physiognomic techniques. The book is well-organized, concise in language, and frequently uses parallel phrases, making it easy to understand and apply. Xue's annotations elaborate on the original text, often expanding its meanings with his interpretations, which sometimes appear overly detailed. The book was one of the more influential works on physiognomy in China.

The version in the Yongle dadian served as a base for the inclusion in the imperial series Siku quanshu 四庫全書. It is also included in the series Linglong Shanguan congshu 玲瓏山館叢書, Shiwanjuanlou congshu 十萬卷樓叢書 and Congshu jicheng chubian 叢書集成初編.