Chubao 楚寶

Chubao 楚寶 "Jewels from Chu" is a collection of biographies of persons from Hubei and Hunan written by Zhou Shengkai 周聖楷 (1594-1643), courtesy name Bokong 伯孔 during the Qing period 清 (1644-1911). Zhou hailed from Xiangtan 湘潭, Hunan, but information about his life is missing.

His book with a length of 45 juan is a combination of biographies with geographical essays on the region. It is divided into 26 chapters, reporting on grand officials (Dachen 大臣), famous civilian officials (Mingchen 名臣), generals (Dajiang 大將), wise advisors (Zhimou 智謀), disputers and remonstrators (Jianzheng 諫諍), literati (Wenyuan 文苑), benevolent officals (Liangshi 良史), envoys (Mingshi 命使), persons of paradigmatic conduct (Diangu 典故), upright Confucians (Zhenru 真儒), various masters (Zhuzi 諸子), persons of filial conduct (Xiaoyou 孝友), persons of loyal conduct (Zhongyi 忠義), persons of outstanding conduct (Duxing 獨行), wise men living in seclusion (Zhenyin 真隱), outstanding females (Lienü 列女), magicians and diviners (Fangji 方伎), outstanding persons (Yiren 異人), eunuchs (Huanji 宦績), persons having moved to the countryside (Qianyu 遷寓), topography (Shanshui 山水), famous shrines (Mingsi 名祀), immortals or Daoists (Liexian 列仙), famous monks (Mingshi 名釋), Zen patriarchs (Zudeng 祖燈).

The book begins with four general statements on the principles of compilation, stressing that it is necessary to define the region in order to "respect its ruler" (ding quyu yi zun wang 定區域以尊王), to discern between (exemplary and average) persons in order to realize their biography (bie renwu yi zheng zhuan 別人物以征傳), to keep to a stringent mode of narration and comment in order to attain an elegant style (yue lunzhu yi gui ya 約論注以歸雅), and to analyse sources critically in order to avoid errors (kao yusheng yi que yi 考遺勝以闕疑). Apart from quoting directly from sources like biographies in official dynastic histories, collected writings of individuals, genealogies or local chronicles, Zhou Shengkai commented some statements.

The collection includes persons from the Spring and Autumn period 春秋 (770-5th cent. BCE) to the Ming period 明 (1368-1644).

A critical revision of the book was carried out by Deng Xianhe 鄧顯鶴 (1777-1851).