Meng Qian Bi Tan is divided into 30 volumes, including 26 volumes of Bi Tan, 3 volumes of Bu Bi Tan, and Continued Bi Tan 1 volume. There are 17 items and 609 articles in the book. The content involves astronomy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and other disciplines, which is of great value. The natural science part of the book summarizes the scientific achievements of China in ancient times, especially in the Northern Song Dynasty. In terms of social history, it exposed the decay of the ruling clique in the Northern Song Dynasty, and recorded in detail the military interests of the northwest and the north, the evolution of the etiquette system, and the drawbacks of the old tax system.
Step 2 evaluate
Meng Qian Bi Tan recorded in detail the outstanding contributions of working people in science and technology and their own research results, reflecting the brilliant achievements of natural science in ancient China, especially in the Northern Song Dynasty. The author of the Biography of Shen Kuo in the History of Song Dynasty said that Shen Kuo was "knowledgeable and good at writing, and talked about everything about astronomy, local chronicles, music, medicine and divination". Joseph Needham, a British historian of science, praised Meng Xi Bitan as "the coordinate in the history of science in China". Known by the world as "a milestone in the history of science in China".
3. Introduction to the author
Shen Kuo (103 1 ~ 1095) was a scientist and politician in the Northern Song Dynasty. A native of Qiantang, Hangzhou (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang), Jiayou Jinshi. Xi Ningzhong participated in Wang Anshi's political reform. 1072 (the fifth year of Xining) promoted the company, put on the armillary sphere, talked about the scenery, and recommended Wei Puxiu's Feng, etc. The following year, I went to Zhejiang to inspect water conservancy and officers. 1075 (the eighth year of Xining) made Liao and rejected his land claim. It also shows the situation of mountains and rivers, human feelings and customs, and plays a role in "making a map copy of Qidan". The following year, he served as a bachelor of Hanlin, and made the third secretary right, rectifying Shaanxi salt policy. Advocate reducing the cost of housework service. Later, Yanzhou (now Yan 'an, Shaanxi) was famous for strengthening its defense against Xixia. 1082 (the fifth year of Yuanfeng), Xu Xi captured Yongle City (now Mizhi, Shaanxi) and was demoted. In his later years, he lived in Runzhou and built Meng Xi Park (now Zhenjiang East, Jiangsu Province). Based on what he saw in his life, he wrote Meng Qian's Pen Talk.