Chao Buzhi

Life

The son of Chao Duanyou, he was descended from Chao Zong'e, his great-grandfather, and Chao Jiong, a fifth-generation ancestor. At seventeen, he followed his father to Hangzhou, wrote *Qishu* to seek an audience with Su Shi, and became known after Su Shi declared himself inferior; in 1065, he studied under Wang Anguo and was esteemed by Su Shi. His brothers included Chao Shuozhi and Chao Jiangzhi; his cousins included Chao Yongzhi and Chao Chongzhi, and his elder cousin was Chao Longzhi. His sons were Chao Gongwei and Chao Gongsi; Li Zhi and Han Jin were his sons-in-law, and Du Chun was his father-in-law. After 1098 he moved to Jinxiang.

He passed the jinshi examination in Yuanfeng 2 (1079) and was assigned as a Sihu Canjun at Chanzhou; after an examination for academic posts, he was appointed professor at Beijing Imperial College and promoted to Taixue zheng. Early in Yuanyou, he took an examination at the Academy of Academicians, was appointed Secretary Provincial Corrector and promoted to Collator; in Yuanyou 5 he served as Palace Library Collator and assistant prefect of Yangzhou, was recalled as a Secretary Drafter, and made prefect of Qizhou. With Huang Tingjian and others, he was counted among the Four Scholars of Su Shi's School.

In the first year of Shaosheng (1094), his inclusion in the Yuanyou faction register led to repeated demotions: he supervised the wine-tax office in Xinzhou, while one account also assigns him to Chuzhou. After Huizong's accession, he was recalled as a Secretary Drafter and promoted to Vice Director of the Department of Personnel, Director in the Ministry of Rites, and compiler of the National History; he also served as a reviewer of the Veritable Records. He later served as prefect of Hezhong, Huzhou, and Mizhou, and his service also included Guozhou. During Chongning, when Cai Jing became chief councillor, renewed factional controversy led him to resign and return home; he lived on a shrine stipend, renovated Guilai Garden in admiration of Tao Yuanming, and adopted Guilaizi as his sobriquet. After the factional dispute was settled in Daguan 4, he was recalled as prefect of Dazhou and transferred to Sizhou, where he died in office at the age of fifty-eight.

Literary and Artistic Work

Chao Buzhi was accomplished in poetry, prose, ci poetry, calligraphy, and painting; his prose was described as ornate, unusual, and outstanding. He was also characterized by extensive learning and a strong memory, and by an interest in antiquities.

Works

His works include the seventy-juan *Jilei ji* and the six-juan *Qinqu waipian*; the latter is also titled *Chao shi qinqu waibian*, and *Wujiu tiba* is likewise attributed to him.