Bianyan 辯言

Bianyan 辯言 "Discourses" is a "brush-notes"-style book (biji 筆記) written during the Southern Song period 南宋 (1127-1279) by Yuan Xingzong 員興宗 (mid-12th cent.), courtesy name Xiandao 顯道, from Renshou 仁壽 (today's Linyou 麟游, Shaanxi). He was editorial director (zhuzuolang 著作郎) and then and examining editor (jiantao 檢討) for veritable records of the Historiography Institute (guoshiguan 國史編). Yuan was slandered and dismissed around 1170.

The book of one fascicle gathers insights from the Classics, historical texts, and the works of scholars from the Song dynasty. It meticulously lists and analyzes points that are logically unsound. The book engages in debates on texts such as Zuozhuan 左傳, Zhouli 周禮, Shijing 詩經, Shiji 史記, Hanshu 漢書, and Xunzi 荀子, as well as the teachings of the Neo-Confucian master Cheng Yi 程頤 (1033-1107). The arguments are generally precise and rigorous.

The book also supports the theory of Zheng Qiao 鄭樵 (1104-1162) that the meaning of the Shijing can be understood without relying on the Grand Preface (Daxu 大序), thus rejecting the ancient practice of interpreting poetry through the Preface. This perspective adds a unique voice to the scholarly discourse.

Some arguments are influenced by contemporary events. For instance, the critique of the "Gongyang Commentary" Gongyangzhuan 公羊傳, which reports that Ji Ji 紀季 decided, out of fear of the thousand chariots of the mighty state of Qi 齊, decided to become the latter's vassal, was an allegory for the Song dynasty's fear of the Jin empire 金 (1115-1234) during the Shaoxing reign-period 紹興 (1131-1162). Though not entirely fitting, it reflects the author's thoughtful engagement with current affairs.

The book is part of the series Yihai zhuchen 藝海珠塵, Siku quanshu 四庫全書 and Congshu jicheng chubian 叢書集成初編.