Cultural Interactions and Competitions: The Case of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and the Southern Tang (937-965)

文化互動與較量－以宋朝和南唐為例

伍伯常(NG Pak-sheung)

《饒宗頤國學院院刊》 7期 (2020/07) Pp. 255-319

摘要

This article aims to elaborate on an overarching sense of competition in the area of cultural achievement (wenhua jiaoliang) that existed between the Song and the Southern Tang. By adopting a conceptual framework characterized by regional significance and dynamic interactions in interpreting historical events and issues, the article intends to emphasize that cultural achievement in Song China did not emerge overnight; instead it involved a long process of assimilation and accommodation that led to the new alignment. In this sense, the various expressions of contempt, rejection, and even confrontation that took place during Song Taizu’s reign seemed an inevitable stage that would lead to adaptation and finally, assimilation. Ultimately, all cultural interactions and competitions with the Southern Tang were undertaken by the Song literati for the purpose of establishing dynastic-political legitimacy and strengthening cultural identity. This article also discusses the use of anecdotal information (biji) in historical studies. Historians have long disregarded anecdotal information: it amounted to nothing more than hearsay in its ability to provide meaningful information while the standard histories are perceived to unveil actual historical events. However, exploration of both categories can uncover contradictions, necessitating explanation about the circumstances under which such hearsay can be useful. The author emphasizes that despite their structural defects, anecdotes being recorded in the biji are of particular significance to social and cultural studies. As such, the functions of anecdotal information should not be totally neglected.

關鍵字

Competition in the cultural domain (wenhua jiaoliang) ； legitimate dynastic succession (zhengtong) ； reinstated officials from the defeated Nan Tang (Nan Tang peichen) ； literary sketches (biji) ； the Southern Tang

並列摘要

本文的寫作要旨，是探討宋朝與南唐之間的文化較量以及相關的歷史文化意義。採用突顯地域特點及互動關係的理念架構，本文強調宋代的文化成就並非驟然出現，而是經歷融合調和進而締造新陣容的漫長過程。在這個理念之下，宋太祖時代出現宋代士大夫對南唐文化所作的諸種輕視鄙棄，甚至對抗態度，皆可理解為不同文化在初遇時互相適應以至最終融合的必經階段。與南唐所進行的文化互動及比拼，皆由宋代士大夫倡導，目的是建立朝代正統以及強化文化認同。本文亦探討筆記資料應用於歷史研究的可行性。歷史學者一直不重視軼聞資料，將之貶抑為欠缺事實根據的傳聞；相對而言，正史的記載翔實得多。本文強調軼聞雖然存在結構性問題，但對於社會及文化研究而言，史料價值不容忽視。

並列關鍵字

文化較量 ； 正統 ； 南唐陪臣 ； 筆記 ； 南唐