{167} Glossary of People’s Names
This is a list of the principal Neo-Confucian figures mentioned in the book. The names of local friends and acquaintances are not included, except for his student Hu Jiushao. Names in bold are those specifically mentioned by Wu Yubi in his Journal and Letters, with the parenthesis at the end indicating which entry in the Journal or which letter the person is mentioned in. Those names with an asterisk are mentioned or quoted so many times that their locations are not indicated. Chinese usually had at least two other names, a courtesy name (zi 
), and a sobriquet (hao 
), which was a kind of adult name that one chose for oneself. The title of a person’s collected works usually used his hao rather than his ordinary name. I have indicated the hao (abbreviated “h.”) of the most important Neo-Confucians after their names. This will help in locating their works in the Works Cited. Because of the different spellings of these men’s names between the older Wade-Giles system of romanization and the now more commonly used pinyin system, I have given a conversion of the names from Wade-Giles to pinyin at the end of the Glossary.
Chao Gongwu 
(d. 1171)—Song dynasty scholar. (35)
Chen Xianzhang 
, h. Baisha 
(1428–1500)—noted Neo-Confucian of the mid-Ming who studied under Wu Yubi in the mid-1450s. He moved away from Cheng-Zhu school teaching and put more emphasis on the mind-heart and meditation. Some regard him as the forerunner of Wang Yangming’s School of the Mind.
*Cheng Hao 
, h. Mingdao 
(1032–1085)—one of the principal Neo-Confucian thinkers of the Northern Song and the older brother of Cheng Yi. His thought is usually characterized as more intuitive and affective than his brother’s more intellectual and philosophical approach. Next to Zhu Xi, he was one of the biggest influences as a role model on Wu Yubi.
*Cheng Yi 
, h. Yichuan 
(1033–1107)—leading Neo-Confucian thinker of the Northern Song, on whose ideas Zhu Xi drew {168} heavily. His comments on the Book of Changes are widely quoted by Zhu in the anthology Reflections on Things at Hand. The younger brother of Cheng Hao by a year, he was more prolific and scholarly in his writings. The tradition usually speaks of them together as the Cheng brothers.
*Confucius 
(551–479 BCE)―Zhou dynasty philosopher and teacher who addressed the political and human issues of his times. His mission can best be summed up in his answer to a critic who suggested he drop out of society and stop the impossible task of trying to reform it: “I cannot herd together with the birds and beasts. If I am not a human being among other humans, what am I to do?” (Analects 18.6).
Dong Zhongshu 
(179–104 BCE)―the most important Confucian of the Han dynasty who, as advisor to the emperor Han Wudi, was instrumental in making Confucianism the state orthodoxy. Reflecting the tenor of Han thought, he had a strong sense of the cosmological inter-penetration of Heaven, earth, and the human. He is most famous for his commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. (77)
Duke of Zhou 
(c.1050 BCE)—brother of King Wu of the Zhou dynasty, he served as regent to his brother’s son, King Cheng, promoting the idea of moral government in the concept of the Mandate of Heaven (tian-ming). Confucius felt a sense of closeness to him, once lamenting, “How extreme is my decline. It has been so long since I have seen the Duke of Zhou in my dreams” (Analects 7.7). (83) (Letter 3)
Han Yu 
h. Changli 
(768–824)—the most famous Tang dynasty Confucian, who is seen as the precursor of the revival of Confucianism in the Song. He championed the Confucian Way over that of the Buddhists and Daoists, calling for its revival. Placing a large emphasis on education as a means of reviving the Way, he championed the role of the Confucian teacher. (174, 175, 176)
Hu Anguo 
(1074–1138)―one of the most noted Confucians of the Southern Song whose specialty was the Spring and Autumn Annals text. His commentary on this text, heavily promoted by Zhu Xi, became part of the civil service examination curriculum. (197, 239)
Hu Jiushao 
(fl. early-15th century)―was Wu’s favorite student and closest friend. (59, 66, 71) (Letters 6, 7, 9, 14)
Hu Juren 
h. Jingzhai 
(1434–1484)—one of Wu Yubi’s students who put great emphasis on personal practice, especially the {169} performance of Confucian rituals. Historians of thought such as Huang Zongxi paired him with Wu Yubi as members of the Cong-ren school of Zhu Xi’s thought.
Hu Yan 
(1361–1443)―Ming dynasty scholar-official who headed the National University and appointed Wu Yubi’s father to be the Director of Studies under him. Wu Yubi stayed in touch with him even after his father’s death. (215)
Huang Zongxi 
”
(1610–1695)―late-Ming and early-Qing Confucian thinker who compiled the all-important anthology of Ming thought, Case Studies of Ming Confucians, as well as the anthology Case Studies of Song and Yuan Confucians.
King Cheng 
(reigned c.1042–1021 BCE)―succeeded the throne from his father, King Wu, of the Zhou dynasty. Because of his young age, his uncle, the Duke of Zhou, served as his regent in the early years of his rule. (83)
King Tang 
(“Tang, the Completer”) (c.1675–1646 BCE)—founder of the Shang dynasty, virtuous ruler. (10, 83)
King Wen 
(“cultured”) (c.1152–1056 BCE)―regarded as one of the founders of the Zhou dynasty, although it was his son, King Wu, who actually defeated the Shang for good. The Confucian tradition held him in highest esteem as the guardian of Chinese culture. (1)
King Wu (“martial”) (r. 1046–1043 BCE)—son of King Wen who actually brought about the defeat of the Shang and founded the Zhou dynasty. Out of filial piety, he made his father the honorary founder.
Li Ao 
(fl. 798)―Tang dynasty Confucian, who, along with Han Yu, is seen as one of the forerunners of Song Neo-Confucianism. (174)
Li Tong 
h. Yan-ping 
(1093–1163)―Song dynasty scholar who is most famous as one of the principal teachers of Zhu Xi. Zhu Xi published Li’s writings in the form of Questions and Answers between Zhu Xi and Li Tong (Yan-ping da-wen 
). (10)
Li Zhi 
(1527–1602)—radical Neo-Confucian of the late Ming who concerned himself with the assertion of the individual and who criticized the patterns of Confucianism he saw as repressive.
Lou Liang 
h. Yizhai — (1422–1491)―the student of Wu Yubi who was the most prominent both in terms of reputation and {170} personal closeness to Wu. He is the author of Wu’s biography, upon which most all others are based.
Lu Dalin 
(1046/4–1092/3)—noted disciple of Zhang Zai and the Cheng brothers. (57)
Lu Zuqian 
(1137–1181)―prominent scholar and political figure of the Southern Song who was co-compiler of Reflections on Things at Hand (Jinsilu) with Zhu Xi.
Lu Zhi 
(754–805)―famous minister of the Tang dynasty, especially noted for his memorials to the throne. He served as advisor to Emperor Dezong (r. 779–805). (288)
*Mencius 
(372–289 BCE)―regarded as the first main successor of Confucius. He expanded Confucius’ thought in two main areas: providing rulers with much more specific policies to show benevolent government, and addressing the deeper dimensions of human nature.
*Shao Yong 
h. Kangjie 
(1011–1077)—considered one of the five principal Neo-Confucians of the Northern Song dynasty, who is most famous for his work on the Book of Changes and numerology. Wu Yubi was more interested in his poetry, especially those in the collection Songs of Slapping an Old Gourd by the Yi River.
Song Taizong 
(r. 976–997)―second emperor of the Song dynasty, suspected by some to have killed his brother, the reigning emperor, Song Taizu, for the throne. (3)
Shun 
(22nd century BCE)―legendary sage ruler, to whom Yao passed on the throne. They are often spoken of together. (3) (Letters 3, 4, 5)
Su Shi 
(1037–1101)―one of the most versatile and talented figures of the Northern Song, known for his abilities in statecraft, poetry, calligraphy, literature, and philosophy. (182)
Tang, the Completer (see King Tang)
Wang Dao 
(276–339)―helped establish the Eastern Jin dynasty and served the two succeeding emperors as Assistant Grand Tutor. (83)
Wang Yangming 
(1472–1529)―courtesy name of Wang Shouren 
, who was the most famous Neo-Confucian of the Ming, seen as having started the Lu-Wang school as opposed to the Cheng Zhu school.
{171} Wu Cheng 
h. Caolu 
(1249–1333)—foremost Neo-Confucian thinker during the Mongol-ruled Yuan dynasty, who hailed from an area of Jiangxi province near to where Wu Yubi lived. He is regarded as having kept the tradition alive during the Yuan period. (45)
Wu Pu 
h. Guai 
(1363–1426)—father of Wu Yubi and the Director of Studies at the National University from 1408 to 1426. (Letters 1, 13a–d)
Wu Yubi 
h. Kangzhai (1392–1469)—Neo-Confucian of the early Ming.
Xue Xuan 
(1389–1464)―Neo-Confucian thinker of the early Ming, who lived at the same time as Wu Yubi. The author of Case Studies of Ming Confucians put him in the category of the northern school. His thought was characterized as more philosophical than Wu’s.
Yan Hui 
(c.500 BCE)―favorite student of Confucius, known for his love of learning despite the straightened circumstances under which he lived.
Yang Pu 
(1372–1446)―held the position of Librarian in the Supervisorate of Instruction of the Heir Apparent. He was an important teacher of Wu and a close colleague of Wu’s father. (13)
Yang Shi 
(1053–1135)―regarded as one of the four Masters of the Cheng School. (182)
Yao 
—legendary sage ruler of China, traditionally thought to have ruled around 2300 BCE. The Confucian tradition has regarded him as the greatest exemplar of benevolent rule and the standard to which contemporary rulers should aspire. (3) (Letters 3, 4, 5)
Yi Yin 
(1648–1549 BCE)―virtuous minister who served the founder of the Shang dynasty, King Tang. (83)
You Zuo 
h. Chishan 
(1053–1123)—Song Neo-Confucian scholar who was a disciple of Cheng Yi. (57)
*Zhang Zai 
h. Hengqu 
(1020–1077)—one of the five principal Neo-Confucians of the Northern Song, famous for his theory of the monism of qi and for his “Western Inscription.”
Zhang Yi 
(b. 1081)―Song Neo-Confucian who was a disciple of Cheng Yi. (302)
{172} Zhen Dexiu 
(1178–1235) ―major proponent of Zhu Xi’s thought after Zhu’s death when his teachings were banned. Zhen helped raise the importance of the institution of the “classics mat,” where emperors were lectured on Confucian values. He is most famous for his Questions and Answers on the Great Learning. (Letter 5)
*Zhou Dunyi 
h. Lianxi 
(1017–1073)—one of the five principal Neo-Confucians of the Northern Song noted for his “Explanation of the Diagram of the Supreme Polarity,” and Penetrating the Book of Changes. He was one of the teachers of the Cheng brothers. (Letter 8)
Zhong Yu 
(151–230)―Wei dynasty literatus and famous calligrapher, known as the first and finest master of the regular script. (130)
*Zhu Xi 
h. Huian 
(1130–1200)—Neo-Confucian thinker of the Southern Song who is regarded as the principal architect of the Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucian tradition. Prolific writer.
Zisi 
(c.481–402 BCE)―grandson of Confucius and the author of Practicing the Mean. (57, 75)