Lanyan changyu 讕言長語

Lanyan changyu 讕言長語 "Ramblings words and lengthy talks", also called Lanyanbian 讕言編 is a "brush-notes"-style book (biji 筆記) written during the early Ming period 明 (1368-1644) by Cao An 曹安, courtesy name Yining 以寧, style Liaozhuang 蓼莊, from Huating 華亭 in the district of Songjiang 松江 (today part of Shanghai). Cao received the juren degree in 1444 and was educational instructor (jiaoyu 教諭) of Anqiu 安丘. His writings were abundant, but almost everything of his poems and prose essays is lost.

The Lanyan changyu with a length of 1 juan is largely based on the author's own observations and experiences, aiming to elucidate moral principles and correct errors in interpretation. The language of this book is all grounded in sources and is valuable for reference. In particular, its discussion on reading the Classics incisively critiques the flaws of Ming-period popular scholarship. Cao An's desire to transform old chapters such as Gao Yao geng ge 皋陶賡歌 "The Refrains of Gao Yao", Wuzi zhi ge 五子之歌 "Songs of the Five Sons", Hongfan 洪範 or songs of the Shijing 詩經 into three-character, five-character or seven-character forms as a help for people to study and revive antiquity — this is something utterly impractical.

Nonetheless, the book was highly praised by contemporary readers.

The text is found in the series Xu shuofu 續說郛, Jinxian huiyan 今獻彙言, Yingyin Yuan-Ming shanben congshu 影印元明善本叢書, Siku quanshu 四庫全書 and Baoyantang miji 寶顏堂秘笈.