The 12th Preface
(Old Preface XII)

(Text)

The 12th Preface
(Old Preface XII)

The Lu of Fanyang was one of the preeminent surnames of Zhuo Commandery (in modern Hebei in the north). Together with the Cui, Zheng, and my own Li, they were called the Four Great Surnames. Among the Lus who migrated to the east of Zhe River, those living in Yaxi have been the most prosperous. In the Xianping reign period (998-1004) of the Song Dynasty the Hanlin Academician^[1] Lu Lian moved from Zhuo Commandery to Taizhou (on the coast of Zhejiang). During the Zhiping reign period (1064-1068), the Recorder of Wu County, Lu Shi moved to Qiaoxi in a western township of Dongyang county. One of his fourth-generation descendants, Lu Yuanfu, moved to Yaxi, in the eastern suburb of the Dongyang county seat and stayed there. This is the home of the Lu of Yaxi.

Throughout the Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties, they graced the histories with innumerable men who were holders of degrees and of literary accomplishment, who were loyal and filial, who possessed integrity, and righteousness; with the political accomplishments of renowned ministers and the Learning of the Way of eminent Confucians, with the hidden virtues and the great kindness of exceptional personages and erudites; and with the fragrant virtue and exemplary qualities of wise wives and virtuous daughters.

The genealogy of the Lu family began in the jiazi year in the Zhiyuan reign period of the Yuan Dynasty (1264). Since then it has been recompiled every thirty years or so. What was doubtful was left out and what was certain was transmitted. The genealogy incorporated earlier content what was not recorded was sought out and appended. The origin (of the lineage) has been illuminated, the generations have been connected, the hierarchy put in order, and the form of the genealogy is coherent. Oh! How carefully it has been done! Had not there been great virtue and renowned members in every generation, how could it be as refined and flawless as this?

The difficulties of genealogical studies have long been lamented. The vulgar either attach themselves to the prestigious and forget their true origin or intentionally omit some branches of the lineage and deny their kinship. Neither phenomenon is even worth mentioning. If even later men criticized [the influential models of genealogy by] Ouyang Xiu(1007-1072) and Su Xun (1009-1066) as great Confucian scholars it is easy to imagine the other difficulties of genealogical studies.  The genealogy of the Lu comes close enough that it will likely be spared the criticism of gentlemen.

In the past I, Li Pinfang, was appointed to supervise the education of Yunnan province. Wherever my official carriage went, I never inquire into local customs. Whenever I considered the study of lineage and clans I thought that, having beenshowered and enriched by the education and influence of our August Dynasty, there is no one, even at the remote borders of the oceans and mountains, who does not know the principle of “treat parents as parents ought to be treated, treat elders as elders ought to be treated.” However, one rarely finds a family equal to the Lu in the length of their history and in their continuity and growth, without the slightest decline for over 800 years. Now, I have loosened my official tassel and lived in retirement for thirty years, and this happens to be when the Lus finished recompiling their genealogy. The worthies of the Lu family asked me to write something to head the scroll. Their family and mine have been affiliated by marriage ties for generations; I know them well. For this reason I did not refuse but have recorded the basic facts as above. As for the origins of the lineage, changes in their residence, the prosperity of the Lu descendants, the editions of the genealogy over time, and the famous officials and eminent Confucian scholars, I will not repeat them here as they are already recorded in detail in the [earlier] prefaces. 

On the day of daliang zhici, in the year of shangzhang dunxiang, the ninth year of the Tongzhi reign period (1870),

Respectfully written by:

Metropolitan Graduate, Grand Master for Assisting in Good Governance by Imperial Decree, Academician of the Grand Secretariat, serving concurrently as Attendant Gentleman of Ministry of Rites with promotion in rank, former Junior Compiler of Hanlin Academy, Expositor-in-Waiting, Academician Expositor-in-Waiting, Vice Supervisor of Household Administration of the Heir Apparent, Joint Examiner of the Metropolitan Examination in the jiyou year of Daoguan reign period (1849), Principal Examiner of Provincial Examination of Yunnan Province in xinmao year (1831), Yunnan Provincial Education Commisioner, Joint Examiner of Special Metropolitan Examinationin bingshenyear (1836), Returning Yunnan Provincial Education Commisioner in the dingyou year (1837), Metropolitan Examination Administrator in xinchou year (1841), the humble student Li Pinfang^[2]

• [1] At the time “Hanlin Academy” was an office at court staffed by erudite officials of literary talent; they were responsible for drafting ceremonial imperial pronouncements and compiling imperially sponsored historical and other works.
• [2] Li would have been from the renowned Li lineage of Lizhai in Dongyang.