The Death of Woman Wang

F’eng K’o-ts’an was the chief editor of Local History of T’an-ch’eng, a collection of biographies, government decrees, and other historical documents. F’eng’s view of the county’s history is fairly grim. As Spence notes, he “seems to have been content to compile an authentically bleak record, not touched up with the brush of nostalgia or propriety” (xiii).

F’eng’s personal life might have influenced his views. As the holder of the highest possible degree from the Chinese imperial exam, the chin-shih, he received a position as magistrate. However, he lost his position due to mishandling finances and the post stations. He stayed in T’an-ch’eng and worked as a teacher and the editor of the Local History before returning home to the province of Fukien. After refusing to serve as an official for a rebellion, he went to the mountains, where he died from exposure (2-3).

Huang Liu-hung was the magistrate of T’an-ch’eng from 1670 to 1672. He participated in several of the events described in The Death of Woman Wang and eventually wrote a memoir and handbook discussing his time as magistrate. During his time ruling over T’an-ch’eng, he showed a genuine concern for the area.