Meng Yuanlao

Also known as Hao You Lan Ju Shi

Meng Yuanlao, who called himself the Recluse of the Hidden Orchid, left no trace in the official histories, and nearly everything known of him comes from the preface to his Dreams of Splendour of the Eastern Capital (Dongjing menghua lu). There he says he came to Kaifeng in 1103 following his father's official postings, lived in the capital for more than twenty years, and fled south after the Jurchen sack of 1127. In old age he set down his memories in ten chapters covering the walls and canals, palaces and offices, shops and markets, food, entertainers, seasonal festivals and state ceremonies of the city, dating his preface to 1147. Zhao Shixia printed the book in 1187, and modern scholars read it alongside Zhang Zeduan's scroll Along the River during the Qingming Festival. His real identity is debated: Chang Maolai took him for Meng Kui, who built the Genyue garden for Emperor Huizong, Kong Xianyi argued for Meng Yue, son of Meng Changling, and Deng Zhicheng judged the evidence insufficient.