ABSTRACT
L i Chih (1527-1602) has written numerous works and the bestknown are the Tsfang-shu [TS] and Hsü TsTang-shu [HTSh]. During the reigns of Wan-li and T len-ch^i，M r. L i was suc cessively impeached in memorials, being regarded as eccen tr ic and heretical, confusing and deluding the mind of the peo ple. Ku Yen-wu [1613-1682] launched the most v itr io lic attack against him in Jih-chih lu, ch. 20，under the entry tTL i Chih,n even to the point of castigating him as a sick man. 2 In recent years, however, L i Chihfs status has gradually received in creased attention, and，because the times have changed, the evaluation has also been completely different, and he is being hailed as a representative of the progressive thinkers of the Ming period. [The title of] his TS was originally taken from the idea of "concealed in the famous mountain” ( 翁 絲 皂 J j )，3 and he did not plan to print it at firs t. In the 18th year of Wan-li (1590)，when he published his Fen-shu [FS] in MachTeng. L i Chih already took notice of the TS in its preface. Moreover, in his introduction to ” Lao-jen hsing” [The Journey of an Old Man], in HFS, ch. 2，he mentioned that he would send the manuscript to Chiao Hung to let him take charge of the printing and ask him to write a preface for its circulation. It was not until the 27th year of Wan-li (1599) that the TS was be latedly published in Nanking.1
