YUAN CHEN

born 779, Lo-yang, China died 831, Wu-ch'ang, China Pinyin Yuan Zhen, courtesy name Wei-chih a key literary figure of the middle T'ang dynasty of China, influential in the ku-wen, or ancient literature, revival. Yan entered state service through the examination system and briefly held ministerial rank. While in office he joined a famous literary circle under the poet-official Po Ch-i, which espoused Confucian ideals. Deeming literature an instrument of ethical and social improvement, the group rejected the courtly trends of the time and called for a revival of the moral themes and the straightforward style of ancient literature. Yan thus joined Po Ch-i in reviving an old ballad tradition associated with social protest. Though famed for these hsin yeh-fu, or new music bureau, ballads, as well as for his more conventional poetry, Yan was best known for his short fiction. Using contemporary settings, figures, and themes, he adapted the traditional ch'uan ch'i, or marvel tale, to serious moral and social purposes. Works such as his semiautobiographical Ying-ying chuan (Story of Ying-ying) thus set a new standard for the genre of the tale in Chinese literature.