In the Western Han dynasty, Mao Heng and Mao Chang compiled this edition. The Book of Odes, the earliest poem anthology ever in China, contains 305 verses from the early Western Zhou period to the mid-Spring and Autumn period. These verses can be classified into ballads, odes and hymns. Though there were three other editions available back then, only this edition, reputed as an encyclopedia of ancient China, has been transmitted to now. Now 10 of the 13 steles of the Mao edition are in good condition. At the end of the last stele lies Qin Hui’s postscript.