Wu Shidao

Life

His great-great-grandfather was Wu Qi and his great-grandfather Wu Hui; his grandfather was Wu Ruzong (1212–1301), his father Wu Li (1251–1331), and his adoptive father Wu Xin (1246–1323). His wife was Xu; his eldest son was Wu Shen (1321–1341), his second son Wu Chen (1323–1386), and his son-in-law Zhao Huchen.

From childhood he pursued learning, had a strong memory and wide reading, and was skilled in literary composition. At the age of twenty, after reading *The Posthumous Writings of Zhen of Xishan*, he committed himself to learning for the self, aiming to elucidate principle and refute heterodox teachings.

In the first year of the Zhizhi era under Emperor Yingzong (1321), he passed the jinshi examination. He was appointed Assistant Magistrate of Gaoyou, transferred to Recorder of Ningguo Route, and then became magistrate of Jiande in Chizhou; his administrations were praised for their benevolence, and he also relieved people during a famine. He was later recommended by Lü Sicheng, Left Vice Director of the Central Secretariat, and Kong Sili, Investigating Censor; summoned as Assistant Instructor at the National Academy, he was soon promoted to Erudite. In the third year of Zhizheng (1343), he went south because of his mother’s death. The following year he retired as a Fengyi Dafu and langzhong of the Ministry of Rites, and died at home.

Learning and associations

His teaching was grounded in Zhu Xi’s principles and followed Xu Heng’s established method; at Chengjun, the students of the six colleges were all pleased with him. He befriended Huang Jinqing and Liu Daochuan, exchanging poems with them. His clansman Wu Lifu held him in particular esteem, sent him a poem, and received a poetic reply; he was also a friend of Du Ben. Xu Qian both recommended him and was his teacher; his students included Hu Han, Xu Yuan, and Zhao Liangong.

Writings

His writings include 《吳禮部詩話》, 《敬鄉錄》, the twenty-volume 《吳正傳文集》, 《易詩書雜說》, and 《春秋胡傳附辨》. Other titles include 《三經雜說》, 《六書淵源字旁辨誤》, 《戰國策校註》, 《春秋胡氏傳附辨雜說》, 《書雜說》, 《禮部集》, 《禮部集附錄》, 《詩雜說》, and 《讀易雜記》.