"This title, appearing on line x (plate 5) is ascribed to Lang Zhiben, Sima of Xuzhou and Companion of the Prince of He (ie. Li Yuangui, son of Tang Gaozu). Preceding the text is a selection of graphic variants with phonetic and semantic glosses drawn from the ""Ziyang"" (Models of the Written Word) by Yan Jian. The "Zheng ming yao lu" segment that follows is organized under six categories: correct but slightly peculiar forms with footnotes giving common forms; correct forms, with footnotes giving divergent, popular forms; correct forms in regular script (""kaishu"") with footnotes giving slightly divergent forms; graphic analyses of ondividual and related words; pairs of graphic variants reflecting ancient and contemporary usage; and semantic distinctions of homonyms. ZhouZumo_1988:
Zhou Zumo 1988:45-7 concludes that Yan Jian compiled his text sometime between 649-704 whereas Lang 's work can be dated to ca. 636-49."
(JB)