Zhou Bangyan (Chinese: 周邦彥; 1056–1121) was a Chinese bureaucrat, literatus and ci poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. He was from Qiantang (in modern Hangzhou). His courtesy name was Meicheng (Chinese: 美成; pinyin: Měichéng), and his art name was Qingzhen Jushi (Chinese: 清真居士; pinyin: Qīngzhēn Jūshì). He left a two-volume poetry anthology called either the Qingzhen-ji or the Pianyu-ci.
. . . Zhou Bangyan . . .
Zhou Bangyan was born in 1056.[lower-alpha 1] He was a native of Qiantang (錢塘/钱塘 Qiántáng, modern-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province).[1][2]
At the age of 23, Zhou went to live in the capital Bianliang as a student at the National Academy.[3] In 1083 he published “Rhapsody on the capital” (汴都賦 Biandu fu), which described the bustle of Bianliang[4] while also praising the Song dynasty’s accomplishments.[3] The poem pleased Emperor Shenzong, and Zhou was appointed Supervisor at the National Academy (太學正/太学正 taixuezheng).[5][2]
In 1087, at the age of 31, Zhou was sent to Lu Prefecture in Anhui where he worked as an instructor (教授).[3] He stayed in the provinces for ten years, mostly as Sub-prefect of Lishui County in Jiangsu, before Emperor Zhezong recalled him in 1097 to be Registrar of the National Academy (國子主簿).[3] He found favour with Emperor Zhezong and his successor Emperor Huizong,[3] and thereafter rose through the ranks in the central government.[3] He left the capital in 1112 to serve as Prefect of Longde-fu (隆德府, in the area of present-day Changzhi) and Mingzhou (明州), before returning in 1116 to become Director of the Palace Library (秘書監), the highest position he received.[6]
. . . Zhou Bangyan . . .