Royal Readings on Metallurgy and Geology, Complete in Four Volumes

Author: None
Publisher: Tianjin Ancient Books Press
Publishing Time: None
Features: Zizhi Tongjian is a monumental historical work compiled by the renowned Northern Song historian Sima Guang under the imperial commission of Emperor Shenzong, with the assistance of his collaborators Liu Shu and Fan Zuyu, among others. Based on extensive historical materials, it took nineteen years to complete and comprises 249 volumes and over 4 million words. It records more than 1,300 years of history, from the twenty-third year of King Wu Lie of the Zhou Dynasty (403 BC) to the sixth year of the Xiande era of the Later Zhou Dynasty (959 AD), making it the largest extant chronicle-style universal history in the existing ancient Chinese literary canon.
Zizhi Tongjian is characterized by its continuous and abundant records, significantly expanding the temporal and spatial dimensions of chronicle-style historical works. Its content primarily focuses on politics, military affairs, and ethnic relations, while also encompassing social economy, intellectual culture, and significant historical figures. Amidst the rich and intricate historical narrative, Sima Guang "selects what concerns the prosperity or decline of the state and the well-being or suffering of the people, taking the good as models and the bad as warnings" (specifically detailing "those that can serve as models for virtue and those that must be avoided as cautionary tales"). This approach aims to "examine the rise and fall of past dynasties, assess the gains and losses of the present, praise virtue and abhor vice, and choose the right while discarding the wrong" (from Memorial on the Submission of Zizhi Tongjian), thereby providing a reference for practical political governance. As a result, topics such as "the way of the ruler," "the duty of ministers," "national policies," and "popular sentiments"—concerns that preoccupied feudal-era statesmen—are all included.
For the present day, Zizhi Tongjian still plays an immensely significant role in historical reference. Following its publication, it immediately exerted a profound influence, leading to a flurry of supplementary, adapted,, annotated, imitated, translated, and critical works, forming a spectacular scene of scholarly activity. By summarizing the political experiences, successes, and failures of the more than 1,300 years from the Warring States period to the Northern Song Dynasty, it became a must-read for later generations of scholars, particularly those engaged in government and politics. Mao Zedong once remarked with admiration, "Every time I read it, I gain a great deal. A rare and excellent book, indeed."
Zizhi Tongjian for the Imperial Reading is a rare collectible edition among the many available versions of Zizhi Tongjian in recent years. It not only faithfully preserves the original text but also employs horizontal, simplified characters to align with modern reading habits. Its design as a four-volume, sixteen-page format makes this substantial work more portable and accessible. Additionally, its exquisite packaging enhances its collectible value, making it a valuable resource for journalists and scholars alike.