中國地方文獻數量龐大，內容豐富，富史料意義與參考價值，也得以認識一時一地社會發展與文化現象特徵。傳記在史書中向來有其重要性，特別是地方文獻中鄉賢人物的行止，是其中不可或缺的有機組成。方學漸（1540-1615）是明中葉桐城一地重要的學者，對心學的反省和實體達用之學的實踐，居承先啟後的位置，為桐城一地振風興教貢獻良多。其所撰寫之《桐彝》及《桐彝續》，一方面承續史傳文學的敘事傳統；而其不拘泥身份，為鄉邦民眾進行之傳記書寫，更可視之為其學思踐履的落實。《桐彝》及《桐彝續》確立桐城傳記文章的書寫特徵，將抽象的道德倫理綱常在地方人物選擇與形塑中具象化與典範化，也揭示作者對道德倫理價值的秉持。此二種文獻為桐城文章的內涵奠基，並以此傳達桐城一地文士對儒家道德倫常矢志不渝的堅持，以及典範人物的品格意義與審美價值。

China has a large number of local literatures, which are rich in content and with historical reference value, is an important cultural resource. By combing relevant local literature and research, we are able to recognize the characteristics of social development and cultural phenomena in a specific area at one time. Among which, biography is important in both the official history and the local literature. The ethical behavior, meritorious deeds and achievements, as well as thoughts worth pondering of the local prominent personage are all indispensable organic components for the local literature. Xue-Jian Fang is an important scholar in the middle of the Ming Dynasty. His practice of introspection of the mind and the practice of physical learning made him live in a critical place of inheritance. He has contributed a lot to the promotion of moral conduct and revitalization of education in Tongcheng area. The book “Tongyi” and “Tongyi Expansion” written by Xue-Jian Fang inherits the narrative tradition of historical literature. In addition, Xue-Jian Fang extensively writes biographies for the villagers in Tongcheng area without considering the position of the objects he writes. This can be regarded as the practice of his academic thought. The book “Tongyi” and “Tongyi Expansion” described the local people to make the abstract moral and ethical norms concrete, thus established specific features of the biographical writings in Tongcheng. Moreover, the specific and rich biographies written for the villagers also reveal his insistence on moral and ethical values. This book not only lays a foundation for the nature of the articles in the Tongcheng area, but also conveys the unyielding persistence of Confucianism and morality from scholars and even the public at Tongcheng, as well as constructs the significant characters and aesthetic values that have emerged from the book.