Lüshi zaji 呂氏雜記

Lüshi zaji 呂氏雜記 "Miscellaneous notes of Master Lü", also called Shijiang zaji 侍講雜記 or Shijiang riji 侍講日記, is a "brush-notes"-style book (biji 筆記) written during the Northern Song period 北宋 (960-1126) by Lü Xizhe 呂希哲 (1039-1116), courtesy name Yuanming 原明, from Shouzhou 壽州 (today's Fengtai 鳳臺, Anhui).

He was a grandson of Chief counsellor Lü Yijian 呂夷簡 (979-1044) and a son of Lü Gongzhu 呂公著 (1018-1089), who was imperial preceptor. Although he had the right of inheritance to a higher post, he waited until his father had passed away. Only then, Lü Xizhe started his career as ministerial vice director in the Ministry of War (bingbu yuanwailang 兵部員外郎) and was then promoted to the post of lecturer (shuoshu 說書), and then Remonstrator to the Right (you sijian 右司諫) in the Palace of Veneration of Governance (Chongzheng Dian 崇政殿). With the status of subeditor of the Imperial Archives (bige jiaoli 秘閣校理), he was made prefect of Huaizhou 懷州. This career was ended by an impeachment for partisanship with the Yuanyou Faction 元祐黨, whereafter he was sent to Hezhou 和州 to serve in punishment. With the enthronement of Emperor Huizong 宋徽宗 (r. 1100-1125), Lü was made prefect of Shanzhou 單州, then Vice Chamberlain of the Court of Imperial Entertainments (guanglu shaoqing 光祿少卿), and later, with the status of an auxiliary in the Imperial Archives (zhi bige 直秘閣), appointed prefect of Caozhou 曹州. Not long thereafter, he was demoted and made prefect of Xiangzhou 相州, and then of Xingzhou 邢州. Lü received an excellent education and was acquainted with eminent thinkers of the day, from whom he learned the mixture of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism prevalent during that time.

His book of 2 juan length is a miscellany that comments on the Classics and histories, the teachings of various schools, as well as Buddhist and Daoist sayings, and anecdotes from both the court and the common folk. Though it appears to blend the three teachings (sanjiao 三教) into one, its essence heavily emphasizes Confucianism. For instance, it recounts Gu Lin's 顧臨 response during his mission to the north, asserting that those who educate the world should prioritise Confucianism. The book records Sima Guang's 司馬光 (1019-1086) criticism of Buddhism and denounces Laozi's 老子 ideas on breaking the balance and dividing measures, arguing that Confucius was not Laozi's disciple. Additionally, it strongly advocates for the indispensability of rituals and music (li yue 禮樂), all rooted in Confucian thought while incorporating ideas from Buddhism, Daoism, and other schools.

The book does not disparage Wang Anshi 王安石 (1021-1086) and his son, with only minor critical remarks on certain incidents, avoiding sectarian bias and offering much of value. It also preserves old family stories and court anecdotes, which can serve as references for historical records. Moreover, the book contains numerous discussions on poetry (shihua 詩話), which are quite precious.

After its completion, the book was printed at an unknown time, but it was later lost, with only scattered excerpts found in the Ming-period 明 (1368-1644) encyclopaedia Yongle dadian 永樂大典, making it impossible to determine its full extent.

The remainders of it are found in the series Siku quanshu 四庫全書, Zhihai 指海 and Shuofu 說郛 (in the Wanwei Shantang 宛委山堂 edition titled Shijiang zaji; and in the Shangwu Yinshuguan 商務印書館 edition called Shijiang riji).