Even though the title indicates that this work is a
<p>supplement to <em>Quan shu bei kao</em> (Notes to the complete library of the
four treasures), the existence of such a work cannot be confirmed. This edition
contains very finely executed illustrations, which are of sociological and
historical as well as artistic importance. Each volume has an inscription
certifying that the volume was produced by Zheng Shangxuan at the printing
shop, Ren Rui Tang (Hall of auspicious mankind). The contents of the work were
mostly taken from <em>Bu qiu ren</em> (Not seeking help from others), an
encyclopedia written by Yu Wentai in 1607 in 35 <em>juan</em>. This edition has 34 juan, with some
abbreviations. Most works included in <em>Bu qiu ren</em> originate from the late
Yuan and early Ming dynasties; later Ming authors added supplements. <em>Bu qiu
ren</em> can be considered as a folk-level variation of the <em>Yongle
</em></p><em>
Encyclopedia</em> (1403-08).
Zheng, Shangxuan
<p><a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="http://www.wdl.org/media/4453/service/thumbnail/6000x6000/1/1.jpg">http://www.wdl.org/media/4453/service/thumbnail/6000x6000/1/1.jpg</a>
</p>
<ul><li>Gallery: <a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="http://www.wdl.org/en/item/4453/">http://www.wdl.org/en/item/4453/</a></li></ul>