100 must-read books for college students

Chapter 22

Chapter 21 Geography: "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes"

Needham, a British expert on the history of science and technology, commented on "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes" in his book "History of Science and Technology in China" edited by him:

It doesn't read like something written by a 17th-century scholar, but rather like a 20th-century field record. "

From 1607 to 1640, Xu Xiake practiced his wish of "promising the mountains and rivers with his body" with his graduation spirit, and traveled all over 19 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government.

In the book, he did not forget to record the natural scenery he heard and saw and the various landforms and topography in the form of a diary.

They left behind "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes", a "strange book through the ages" and "a great wonder from ancient to modern times".

Collection of Travel Notes of Mountains and Rivers

Xu Xiake (1587-1641), the author of the book "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes", was named Hongzu and styled Zhenzhi.
Present-day Jiangsu
Yinshi) Nanxiqi Village (now Mazhen Township).He was born in the 14th year of Wanli (1587
), died in the 14th year of Chongzhen (1641), and lived for 54 years.

Xu Xiake had a lofty ideal since he was a child, determined to travel all over the beautiful rivers and mountains of the motherland and explore the mysteries of nature.He started at the age of 22
Traveling abroad, until the end of his life, in more than 30 years, he has traveled to Putuo in the east, Youyan in the north, Fujian and Guangdong in the south, and Fujian and Guangdong in the northwest.

Climbing to the top of Taihua Bravely, traveling southwest to the Yunnan-Guizhou border.Traveled the equivalent of today's Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Shandong,

16 provinces including Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou and Yunnan and Beijing
, Tianjin, Shanghai 3 cities.All left his footprints.he will live

He devoted all his efforts to the geography of the motherland.

In the process of investigating nature, Xu Xiake always insisted on sharing his daily travel experience

He recorded the situation and investigation as well as his own experience in detail and vividly. According to him: "I must have a record for the rest of the day."

, never stopped.In the 13th year of Ming Chongzhen (1640), due to illness, his feet could not walk, so it was used by Yunnan Muzhifu.

The sedan chair was sent back home.

After Xu Xiake returned home, he was sick in bed and was unable to sort out his manuscripts of travel notes.Later, through the joint efforts of Ji Shi and Wang Zhongren, You
The manuscript was edited into a book.Unfortunately, when

At the time of war in the late Ming Dynasty, vast areas of Jiangyin County were ravaged and massacred by the Qing army. Most of the manuscripts of "Travel Notes" were burned on fire.

Ji's collated edition is also lost.Fortunately, there are still several manuscripts circulating in the world, but all of them are incomplete and corrupt.Later, Ji Huiming et al.

Collecting and reorganizing for the first time, eliminating the false and keeping the true, this "Travel Notes" can be preserved, which is known as the
It is called Jiben, which was mistaken by later generations as Xu Xiake's original manuscript.

In the 41st year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1776), Xu Zhen, the grandson of Xu Xiake, further edited the quarterly edition and compared it with various manuscripts

survey, examine its deficiencies, determine its similarities and differences, and then print and publish it, becoming the first woodcut edition of "Xu Xiake's Travels".

The book has been handed down to this day.However, this Xu version is still not complete, and there is still a lack of research on Taihu Lake, Mount Tai, Kongling, Nanjing, and Jingxi.

, Gouqu, Luofu, Jingshi, Panshan, Minzhou, Zhanzhou and other places' travel notes and the first volume of "Dian Travel Diary".

In 1980, "Travel Notes" published by Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House is the most famous book in Xu Xia's current understanding and research.

Ke and his "Travel Notes" the most complete book.

True, Large and Odd Characters in Geographical Documents

"Xu Xiake's Travel Notes" (including "Xu Xiake's Journey to the West") is the real record and crystallization of Xu Xiake's more than 30 years of travel and investigation.

The content is very extensive and rich, from the investigation of the source and flow of mountains and rivers, topography and landforms to the exploration of strange peaks, different caves, waterfalls and hot springs;

Descriptions of plant ecological varieties to handicrafts, minerals, agriculture, transportation, and urban construction;
It is recorded in ethnic relations and frontier defense.It is the study of historical natural geography and historical human geography in my country.
study capital
It provides extremely precious information, and it is a pioneering work in my country's geography to investigate nature on the spot and describe itself systematically.

Xu Xiake systematically inspected the limestone landforms (also known as karst landforms) in Southwest my country.

The outstanding contribution is the investigation and research of limestone landforms in Southwest my country.Limestone landform, also known as "karst landform"

.It means that limestone is eroded by water, gradually dissolved, and after a long period of natural changes, it forms peak forests, caves, etc.
A geographical phenomenon of various fantastic shapes.The investigation of karst landforms is closely related to agriculture, forestry, water, transportation construction, etc.
Relationship.According to "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes", Xu Xiake once inspected more than 100 limestone caves and carefully explored each cave.
The structure and internal conditions of the cave and the reasons for the formation of the cave and the wonders in the cave.For example, when he visited the Shuilian Cave in Baoshan, Yunnan

, and came to the conclusion that stalactites are formed by the gradual condensation of calcium-containing water droplets after evaporation.He said: "There are hanging dry branches between the cliffs.
Those that are dripping with water have all the skin turned into stones, covered with gypsum that has been solidified for a long time. "These investigations and records are still in our research.

Study the precious information of the cave.

Xu Xiake inspected the big and small rivers in Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi, Yunnan and other provinces, and carefully studied the source and direction of the water.
Exploring, he has the courage to break the traditional wrong statement, and correct the shortcomings in the previous research and the mistakes recorded in the local chronicles.especially
His "Jiangyuan Kao" correctly pointed out that the source of the Yangtze River is the Jinsha River, not the Minjiang River.

The corresponding erroneous assertion of "Minshan guides the Yangtze River" has opened up a new direction for further exploration of the source of the Yangtze River in the future, and has far-reaching historical significance.
historical significance.

Xu Xiake explained some peculiar natural geographical phenomena and revealed certain natural laws.

In "Travel Notes", it is about the industrial and agricultural production, transportation, local conditions and customs, the types, distribution and characteristics of animals and plants in various places.

There are also many records and understandings of the relationship with the geographical environment, which provide us with a basis for studying historical economic geography and historical animal and plant geography.
some useful information.

In addition, this book also fully reflects Xu Xiake's rigorous academic attitude, practical investigation method and dedication to the pursuit of truth.
Spirit.Xia
The purpose of tourist tourism is to explore the sources of rivers, the meridians of mountains, and climb the peak of geographical science.In order to achieve this

Yes, he made the greatest determination. Before leaving, he told his son: "For example, I am dead, and fortunately I have no family to support me."

During the investigation, he was not afraid of NC033 rocks, did not avoid death, and fought against nature indomitably.

It's not enough to be afraid of me. "

"Travel Notes" is a good teaching material for patriotic education.From "Travel Notes", we can see that Xiake is a
A patriot, he has a clear distinction between what he likes and what he hates, and he is dissatisfied with the political corruption at that time, especially the eunuch leader Wei Zhongxian and his gang.
He does not enter into an official career, does not associate with corrupt officials, and sympathizes with the persecuted Donglin Party members, and is willing to make friends with them.

He is determined to take the road of saving the country through science; he cares about the sufferings of the common people, "sympathizes with the orphans and widows, saves the weak and saves the hungry". He attaches great importance to

Practice, study frequently, and not be superstitious about book knowledge and folklore.He is able to understand and explain nature, often following the principles of science

Various strange phenomena in the world.In short, through "Travel Notes", we can learn many excellent qualities of Xu Xiake.Therefore, where

Anyone who has read travel notes has been inspired by Xiake's patriotic spirit and behavior.

It can be concluded that "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes" is not only a masterpiece of geography, but also a famous literary masterpiece;
Very high
scientific value, but also has a high literary value.The beautiful rivers and mountains of the motherland, the myriad wonders of nature, in Xu Xiake's pen
, picturesque and lifelike.Write dynamic, ever-changing; write static, fresh and beautiful;

The tower is majestic and dizzying; when writing about water, it is rippling blue waves, or clear and cold, which is refreshing; when writing about holes, it is exquisite and exquisite.

Penetrating, or colorful breasts, dazzling; writing adventure, or hanging down, or ape hanging snakes, it is frightening.such
Kind, too beautiful to describe.It has beautiful writing, vivid language, sincere feelings, and profound and meticulous expressions.Scientific literature as well as literary works

, "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes", a great work of more than 60 words, people read it as if they were there, deeply moved, and can't put it down
Hand, really deserves to be called "the world's real characters, big characters, and strange characters."

"Xu Xiake's Travel Notes" has been welcomed by scholars and readers at home and abroad since its publication, and has been highly praised.

Price, today has set off a climax of research on Xu Xue.

(End of this chapter)