Liao and Jin History Studies

Author: Du Xingzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: This book is the fruit of my labor over more than two decades of studying the history of the Liao and Jin dynasties and exploring specific academic questions. The content of the book is mostly research completed in recent years. Some of the results had previously been published as papers, but were revised and supplemented before being included in this book. The study of the history of the Liao and Jin dynasties has long been considered a weak link in the research of Chinese chronological history. My involvement in this field was not accidental. Over twenty years ago, while pursuing a master's degree in Northeast regional history at Jilin University, under the guidance of my mentor, Professor Zhang Boquan, I wrote a thesis on the imperial examination system of the Jin dynasty, which sparked my interest in Jin history. Due to the close historical relationship between the Liao and Jin dynasties, I later explored certain topics in Liao history as well, but the focus was primarily on Jin history, which is also reflected in the specific chapters of this book. In a sense, this book merely objectively records the process and trajectory of my learning and exploration of issues related to the Liao and Jin dynasties. Regarding the history of the Liao and Jin dynasties, scholars both at home and abroad have conducted various degrees of research, and the results have been quite substantial. As the ancients said, "learning is endless." My personal journey in this field began on the foundation of previous research. As for the basic historical documents and materials of the Liao and Jin dynasties, they were never abundant, and anyone who has entered this field of study is generally familiar with them. However, if one approaches the issue from a different perspective, it often leads to new insights. What is pleasing is that the development of field archaeology and in-depth research in New China have provided a wealth of historical artifacts, inscriptions, and new archaeological findings for the study of Liao and Jin history. Some of the research in this book has drawn on these new materials and findings, leading to new conclusions and perspectives.