Chinese Historical Mysteries and Anecdotes. History of the Song Dynasty: History of the Song Dynasty

Author: Zhuge Wen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The history of China spans five thousand years, known for its profound depth and extensive legacy. Each historical period is filled with many brilliant wonders and unexplainable mysteries. Some have compared history to a vast starry sky, with the people or events that emerged in history as stars scattered across it. These stars, though unique, can be broadly categorized into two types: one dazzling and clear, reflecting meticulously recorded historical materials that are well-known to later generations; the other faint and obscure, often incomplete in records, scattered in data, or overly reliant on rumors, becoming unpredictable remnants in the historical starry sky. The true identities of these people or events have long escaped the reach of human vision. The Secret Stories of China’s Dynasties – The Song Dynasty aims to present to readers the second type of stars in the Chinese historical sky related to the Song Dynasty. Though veiled like mist, their truths are not fully known to later generations, yet it is this ambiguity that fuels endless imagination. Whether scholars of Song history or enthusiasts, many have paid close attention to this dim cluster of stars.
The ancients spoke of the "Three Immortals," with virtue at the top, followed by merit, and then words. Looking back at the great figures of the Chinese nation, the Song Dynasty was relatively rare in producing officials renowned for their achievements. Although Yue Fei was celebrated for his military prowess, his legacy as a national hero against the Jin invaders is what is most remembered. In contrast, the Song Dynasty was far more distinguished by the moral strength and ethical radiance of its figures, who were admired by later generations. Figures like Fan Zhongyan, Bao Zheng, Sima Guang, Li Gang, Wen Tianxiang, and many others, such as the Confucian scholars and literati Zhang Zai, Zhu Xi, Lu You, and Xin Qiji, were revered for the ideals and patriotic sentiments embodied in their words. It was these individuals who made the Song Dynasty a time when officials were highly valued and left behind countless enigmatic stories for later generations to ponder.
This book compiles a total of 135 historical events from the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties, most of which remain unexplained, with some still debated by scholars. In the imperial court section, there are unresolved mysteries such as the cause of Emperor Taizu’s death, the existence of the Jin alliance, and the truth about the identity of the Empress Ruofo. In the section on famous figures, questions include whether Bao Zheng’s judgments were truly infallible, who Zhang Sanfeng really was, and the cause of Yue Fei’s death. In the folk section, topics range from Bi Yi’s occupation to the earliest paper money in Chinese history and the origins of Mazu (Tianfei). In the military section, the book explores the historical truth behind the saying "killing Jin Yu Shu to death, laughing to death Song Ni Gao" and analyzes the records of Yue Fei’s defeat of the "Twisting Horse" tactics. These events have attracted the attention of numerous scholars, and such research will continue.
This book is compiled with a comprehensive, vivid, and persuasive approach, supplemented with illustrations to enhance readability. Additionally, the author has included their own perspectives on certain issues, hoping to engage readers in discussions about these historical events and restore a measure of "purity" to history.