Origin,Compilation,and Spreading:Humble Opinions on the Life History of Wanli Putai Records
As the earliest Putai county records in existence,Wanli Putai Records was created out of the sense of mission in inheriting local literature on the part of Wang Eryan,a county resident,and the sense of duty consciously in local records compilation on the part of Li Shifang,the county magistrate.Its compilation lasted for 26 years,and experienced a shift from private venture supported to government sponsorship.It was circulated for about a hundred years after publication,but was"lost"at a certain time during the following sixty plus years period.Its core readership included officials from upper-level departments,friends and successors of the county magistrate,and scholars familiar with local status.As a set of local records privately compiled that won government support,it established the structure of Putai county records,recorded Putai county history from aspects such as population,policy on horses,and village agreements,while at the same time reflected the features of Ming Dynasty history.However,there are also shortcomings including entry attributions that need optimization,certain contents that need examination and correction,as well as entries lack of prudence.