Huang Zhen

Life

At the age of forty-four, he passed the Jinshi examination in the fourth year of the Baoyou era (1256), ranking 105th in the fourth class, and was appointed county lieutenant of Wu County. In the first year of the Jingding era, he served as acting magistrate of Huating and then of Changzhou, earning a good reputation in both; he was subsequently appointed to clerical work in the Eastern Zhejiang Changping office and then to the Zhenjiang transshipment granary branch.

During the reign of Emperor Duzong, Huang was promoted to proofreader in the Historiography Institute and helped compile the official histories and veritable records of Ningzong and Lizong; after submitting remonstrances on current abuses, he served as assistant prefect of Guangde Army and was then transferred to Shaoxing Prefecture. In the seventh year of the Xianchun era (1271), he became prefect of Fuzhou, implemented famine relief, and brought stability to the population; promoted to the Jiangxi Changping granary office, he aided orphans and the poor, saving many lives.

As commissioner for judicial affairs in Jiangxi, he cleared long-pending cases and civil suits. His suppression of powerful interests aroused the resentment of wealthy families, and slanderous impeachment removed him from office; he was assigned to the Yuntai shrine. After Jia Sidao was dismissed as chancellor, Huang was summoned as Registrar of the Court of Imperial Clan, transferred to the Eastern Zhejiang Changping office, and promoted to the Directorship of the Baozhang Pavilion; his other appointments included the office supervising communications with foreign missions, the Transport Administration accounts office, and the Eastern Zhejiang Changping and Guanghui granary office.

As the Song approached its end, Huang withdrew to Baozhuang Mountain. After the fall of the dynasty, he died of starvation at the age of sixty-eight; his disciples posthumously gave him the private title Wenjie xiansheng.

Thought and associations

Huang followed the learning of Zhou Dunyi, the Cheng brothers, and Zhu Xi. He upheld Zhu Xi’s teaching, distrusted empty lecturing, and emphasized practical conduct; he was known for integrity and self-discipline. His friends included Wu Ziran, Tang Zhen, and Han Qiuyan.

Dong Jing’an had studied under Rao Lu. After Rao’s death, Dong, Han Qiuyan, and Huang established a memorial place in the Fuzhou prefectural office and mourned together; Huang later appointed Dong as head of Linru Hall. When Han Qiuyan and Dong passed through Fuzhou in mourning, carrying a spirit tablet, Huang went out to receive them, put on mourning dress, and set up a place for ritual mourning.

Works

Huang’s works include 《古今紀要》 in 19 juan, 《古今紀要逸編》 in 1 juan, and 《戊辰修史傳》 in 1 juan, all described as extant. 《黃氏日鈔》 appears in a 97-juan version, lacking juan 81, 89, and 92; another account gives 100 juan. Other works associated with his authorship include 《新刻讀詩一得》, 《理宗實錄初稿》 in 190 volumes, 《理宗日曆》 in 292 volumes, and 《又日曆》 in 180 volumes.

Family

His great-grandfather was Huang Yunsheng, his grandfather Huang Shiyao, his father Huang Yie, and his mother Tao; a collateral grand-uncle was Huang Deyi. His first wife was Zhao. His sons were Huang Menggan, Huang Shuya (1267–1320), and Huang Shuying (1273–1327).