Qintang yusu bian 琴堂諭俗編

Qintang yusu bian 琴堂諭俗編 "Book from the Zither Hall to instruct the commoners" is a "brush-notes"-style book (biji 筆記) written during the Southern Song period 南宋 (1127-1279) by Zheng Yudao 鄭玉道 and Peng Zhonggang 彭仲剛 and supplemented and revised by Ying Jun 應俊. A further revision was carried out during the Yuan period 元 (1279-1368) by Zuo Xiang 左祥. Of all four persons, no further details are known. The bibliographical chapter in the official dynastic history Songshi 宋史 lists the Yusubian 諭俗編 by Zheng Yudao and the Yusu xubian 諭俗續編 by Peng Zhonggang, both with a length of 1 juan. The originals of these two books were lost before Ying Jun revised the texts and unified them into one book of 2 juan length. Zuo Xiang also added a part, namely the chapter Zejiaoyou 擇交游.

The book primarily selects passages from the Classics, historical texts, and works from the "Hundred Schools of Thought" that are related to ethical principles and daily life stories. It uses these references to provide subtle admonitions and warnings. The writing is smooth, straightforward, and easy to understand, making it accessible to all readers. The book's purpose is to encourage the practice of feudal ethical norms, urging people to accumulate virtue and do good deeds. However, most of the material is drawn from existing sources, and the author offers little original insight or personal contribution.

The text is included in the series Siku quanshu 四庫全書 and Siku quanshu zhenben chuji 四庫全書珍本初集.