Abstract:

The Inscriptional Records on the Establishment of School Farm System by Assistant administrator ZOU Yaochen is an important historical materials for the study on the cultural and educational development in Yunnan border area in Ming Dynasty. The school farm system in Zhaozhou (named Fengyi in Dali today) existed more than 400 years in history until it was abolished in Land Reform after 1949 and exerted far-reaching influence on the cultural and educational development in Fengyi, Dali. However, little is known about ZOU Yaochen, the founder of the system. ZOU Yaochen, being a Jinshi, (examinee passing through palace examination), successively served as Yushi (provincial censor), Fushi (vice-minister) and Canzheng (assistant administrator) and resided in Dali after his retired age. As an important local official in Dali, ZOU Yaochen acquired remarkable effect in incorruption and serving the people,and he is a famous historical figure who had higher prestige and reputation in local society. The records of his life experiences are dispersedly found in official history, chronicles, inscriptions and genealogy, lacking of systematic organization, reliable collation, comprehensive textual research and detailed research. In this paper, the author will make a research on his life experiences and family extraction, based on available historical records and field researches.

Key words: ZOU Yaochen, life experience, family extraction, school farm system