Communication, Civilization and China: Discovering the Tang Dynasty (618–907) (Sociology, Media and Journalism in China)

Referencing more than 40 ancient works as well as 70 books and papers of contemporary scholars, this book opens up the civilization, society, culture and communication of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang period represented unprecedented prosperity in the ancient world. Combining the socio-cultural background of ancient China and academic achievements of modern times, this book presents an intensive and in-depth exploration of the communicative organisations, methods and ideas of that period. The book looks at Tang methods of communication, from the postal delivery system and first newspaper to military communication in times of peace and war. It also considers questions of literature, poetry and public space as well as the impact of folk culture and communication on the Tang Dynasty, and examines the intellectual atmosphere of the time and debates surrounding freedom of speech and thought, positioning the Tang Dynasty as the end of the classic world and the beginning of modern society. Referencing more than 40 ancient works as well as 70 books and papers of contemporary scholars, this book opens up the civilisation, society, culture and communication of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang period represented unprecedented prosperity in the ancient world. Combining the socio-cultural background of ancient China and academic achievements of modern times, this book presents an intensive and in-depth exploration of the communicative organisations, methods and ideas of that period. The book looks at Tang methods of communication, from the postal delivery system and first newspaper to military communication in times of peace and war. It also considers questions of literature, poetry and public space as well as the impact of folk culture and communication on the Tang Dynasty, and examines the intellectual atmosphere of the time and debates surrounding freedom of speech and thought, positioning the Tang Dynasty as the end of the classic world and the beginning of modern society. Front Matter ....Pages i-vii Introduction (Bin Li)....Pages 1-17 Capital Liaison Office and Ancient Postal System (Bin Li)....Pages 19-61 Government Gazette and Chin-tsou-yüen Report (Bin Li)....Pages 63-95 Hsi-Shu and Lu-Pu (Bin Li)....Pages 97-128 Beacon Fire, Placard, and Imperial Diaries (Bin Li)....Pages 129-161 Thoughts on News Communication (Bin Li)....Pages 163-190 Scholars and Their Communication (Bin Li)....Pages 191-226 Ancient Letters and Brush-Note Novels (Bin Li)....Pages 227-266 Wall Inscription Style Poems (Bin Li)....Pages 267-304 The Communication of Ordinary People (Bin Li)....Pages 305-348 Conclusion (Bin Li)....Pages 349-367 Back Matter ....Pages 369-413