Leshanlu 樂善錄

Leshanlu 樂善錄 "Accounts of delight in good deeds" is a story collection compiled during the Southern Song period 南宋 (1127-1279) by Li Changling 李昌齡. Little is known about him apart from the fact that he lived in the mid-11th century. The catalogue Zhizhai shulu jieti 直齋書錄解題 says, Li Changling hailed from Shu 蜀 (Sichuan) and had the courtesy name Bochong 伯崇. The bibliographical chapter in the official dynastic history Songshi 宋史 (202-209 Yiwen zhi 藝文志) calls the author Li Shi 李石.

The book of 2 juan mainly discusses the causes and effects of blessings and misfortunes, aiming to encourage people to do good. Most of the events recorded in the book relate to the Song period, though it also occasionally mentions incidents from the Han 漢 (206 BCE-220 CE) and later eras. The structure of the work is not entirely consistent. For example, the story of Chunyu Fen's 淳于棼 dream of becoming the governor of the commandery of Nanke 南柯 seems unrelated to the theme of promoting virtuous deeds. Another entry about a fetus, as well as passages citing Daoist talismans and rituals, is presented somewhat superficially and spans several hundred words.

Although its organisation is not entirely systematic, the book remains valuable for preserving historical materials. It is beneficial for understanding ancient moral thought, social customs, unusual anecdotes, and curious tales, making it a worthwhile reference.

The collection quotes from earlier books like Hu Zai's 胡仔 (1110-1170) Tiaoxi yuyin conghua 苕溪漁隱叢話 and Ye Mengde's 葉夢得 (1077-1148) Yanxia fangyan 巖下放言.

The text is, in an arrangement of 10 juan, included in the series Xu guyi congshu 續古逸叢書. In the series Baihai 稗海, it has 2 juan (called Leshanlu lüe 樂善錄略, hinting at an abbreviated version), but in all other series, such as Xu baichuan xuehai 續百川學海, Shuibian linxia 水邊林下 and Shuofu 說郛, it has a length of 1 juan. The Jiuxiaoshuo 舊小說 includes excerpts.