Yìzhōu jì 益州記
Records of Yizhou by 李膺 (Lǐ Yīng, fl. Southern Liang dynasty, 502–557 CE) — zhuàn 撰
About the work
A fragmentary geographic record of Yìzhōu 益州 (modern Sichuan, centered on Chengdu), attributed to Lǐ Yīng 李膺 of the Southern Liang dynasty. The CBDB lists several persons named 李膺, including Han-dynasty figures; the Liang-dynasty attribution is based on the text’s internal references and the standard bibliographic tradition. The text is cited in later encyclopedic compilations.
Abstract
The two surviving passages cover:
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Jiǎnyóu Left-Carry Road 江由左擔道: A road on the maps located in Yīnpíng County 陰平縣 to the north, lying to the west of Chéngdū. A commentary note explains: “The road is extremely dangerous; those coming from the north carry their loads on the left shoulder and cannot shift to the right.” This is the famous Yinping Road by which Dèng Ài 鄧艾 launched the surprise attack that destroyed Shu Han in 263 CE.
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Yizhou city and Brocade City 益州城 / 錦城: “Yizhou city was built by Zhāng Yí 張儀 [Qin-era strategist]; Brocade City 錦城 is south of the capital, the old Shu palace, and is called Jǐn Lǐ 錦里 (Brocade Quarter). East of Yàn Bridge is the terrace where Jūn Píng 君平 (Yán Jūnpíng 嚴君平) practiced divination, several zhàng high.” These notes preserve early topographic traditions for Chengdu’s principal landmarks.
These passages represent the kind of brief but precise geographic and historical notes typical of the jì 記 genre, preserving references to Qin-era city construction, Han-era Daoist recluses (Yán Jūnpíng), and the strategic roads of the Three Kingdoms period.
Translations and research
No substantial secondary literature located.
Links
- ctext.org search: https://ctext.org/search.pl?if=en&search=益州記