Historical Records of China (Volumes 1-4)

Author: Chen Dengyuan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The Old Chronicles of Chinese History is a collection of the author's extensive reading notes, arranged chronologically by era and organized into thematic units. It serves as a compendium of historical materials with a comprehensive nature. The book cites a wide range of sources, covers diverse aspects, and often includes the author's commentary, introducing much knowledge of ancient and modern Chinese history and culture. It provides numerous clues about the origins of the materials, making it a valuable reference for history and literature enthusiasts and researchers.
Preface: The Old Chronicles of Chinese History consists of seventy-four volumes, authored by Chen Dengyuan. Chen Dengyuan (1899–1975), styled Bojing, was a native of Yu, Zhejiang. He served at Shanghai Commercial Press, Nanjing Jinling University, Hangzhou Zhejiang University, Guangzhou Sun Yat-sen University, and Xi'an Northwest University, dedicating himself to teaching and historical research. He was diligent in writing, publishing works such as The Philosophy of Xunzi, Famous Stories of the Lyricists, The Examination of the Tianyi Pavilion Collection, The Land System of China, Comprehensive Studies on the Chinese Land Tax System, The Cultural History of China, The History of Chinese Land Tax, and The Dispersal and Collection of Ancient and Modern Classics.
The Old Chronicles of Chinese History is his most labor-intensive work, begun in 1938 and completed in 1967, spanning nearly three decades. It is a compendium of historical materials compiled from the author's accumulated reading notes, arranged chronologically by era and organized into thematic units. The book cites a vast array of sources, covers broad topics, and often includes the author's commentary, introducing much knowledge of ancient and modern Chinese history and culture. It provides numerous clues about the origins of the materials, making it a valuable reference for history and literature enthusiasts and researchers. However, it is not a systematically compiled reference book. The quoted original texts have been adapted and are no longer in their original form, with certain errors present. Due to the author's passing, it is now difficult to correct every error. Therefore, readers are advised to verify the original text when citing passages from this book to ensure accuracy.
The book is divided into four volumes. Volume 1 to Volume 23, totaling 283 entries, covers the ancient period, the Three Dynasties, the Spring and Autumn Period, the Warring States Period, the Qin and Han dynasties, and the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Volume 2, from Volume 24 to Volume 41, contains 306 entries, covering the Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties. Volume 3, from Volume 42 to Volume 60, has 219 entries, covering the Ming and Qing dynasties. Volume 4, from Volume 61 to Volume 74, contains 186 entries, also covering the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a focus on the modern era. Volume 1 was published by the Sanlian Bookstore in 1958. Due to changes in publishing arrangements, it was later published by Zhonghua Book Company. Volume 2 was published in 1962, and Volume 3 in 1980. The first three volumes were well-received by readers both in China and abroad. This time, with the publication of Volume 4, the four volumes are being released together to serve the. Before publication, several errors in the first three volumes were corrected, and the preface to Volume 2 was moved to the beginning of the volume.
According to Brief Examples of This Draft, the author originally planned to compile an index for the book's title but did not complete it. This is the reason for its omission, which is hereby noted. The publication of this complete set is largely due to the strong support and assistance of the author's son, Chen Yihuo, and the leadership of Sanlian Bookstore. Gratitude is expressed to them.
Editorial Department of Zhonghua Book Company, November 2000
Excerpt: Lingdi Sold Officials—Simabiao, Chronicles of the Nine Provinces. Book Volume 70: "Lingdi opened Hongdu Gate to sell official positions. Cui Lie paid five million taels of silver and was appointed as Minister of Works. On the day of his appointment, the emperor presided from the balcony, and all officials gathered. Lingdi looked at his ministers and said, 'I regret not being more reluctant. It could have reached a million.' Cheng Fuji, who was present, said, 'Cui Gong is a renowned scholar of Jizhou. How could he buy an official position?' Later, Cui Lie asked his son Jun, 'What do people think of my appointment as one of the Three Ducal Ministers?' Jun replied, 'Father has long been celebrated for his talent and has served as a governor. People have long expected him to become a minister. Now he has joined their ranks. The only thing people regret is the stench of money.' Cui Lie was furious and struck Jun with a cane. Jun fled. Cui Lie said, 'To refuse a father's strike is filial. Is it filial to run away?' Jun replied, 'If the strike is severe, I run. If it is light, I endure. This is not unfilial.' Cui Lie eventually stopped."
Chen Dengyuan's Note: Cui Lie's purchase of an official position is recorded in The Later Han by Fan Chu Volume 81, Biography of Cui Lie. As for Lingdi selling officials, The Later Han by Fan Chu mentions it in the Lingdi Chronicle. In the first year of Guanghe, it states, "Initially, Lingdi opened Xidi to sell officials." It is also mentioned in the Biography of Liu Tao. The Later Han by Fan Chu Volume 87 states, "Selling officials to fund the repair of the palace." Other records, such as the Biography of Cao Xun's Son in the Weilü and the Biography of Dong Zhuo in the Wei Records, also mention this.
Xie Cheng, The Later Han by Xie Cheng, Yun Ni Volume 452: "Xun Shuang advised Emperor Huandang, 'Fuyao once warned Shun not to wander in the fields. The Duke of Zhou warned King Cheng not to wander in the fields. Shun and King Cheng still had such warnings. How much more so for those less virtuous than them? In this era, there are three 'empties': the fields are empty, the granaries are empty, and the court is empty. Moreover, the army has not yet fought, and the people are scattered. This is the time when the emperor should be anxious and weary, waiting for dawn. How could it be appropriate to display military might and ride in chariots?'
Kong Pingzhong, New Discussions of Jinghuang, Page 8: "Now, when fighting against the barbarians, we lack funds, unlike the Han dynasty. The Later Han records in the Biography of Duan Ling: 'In the Yongjing era, the Qiang rebelled. For fourteen years, it cost 2.4 billion. In the late Yonghe era, after another seven years, it cost over 800 million. Despite such expenses, they were not completely defeated. Later, when discussing the suppression of the Qiang, it was said, 'The original plan was to spend three years, totaling 540 million. Now, after a year, half the cost has been spent, and the remaining bandits are on the verge of being destroyed.' According to the biography, Duan Ling later spent 440 million to suppress the Qiang. Annually, only a million is spent on the barbarians, which is not nearly as high. According to Yuan An's biography, Dou Xian, wanting to establish a northern single leader in the northern frontier, where the land was empty, argued against it in a memorial to Yuan An. He stated, 'According to Han tradition, supplying the southern single leader costs 190 million per year. The Western Regions cost 74.8 million annually. Now, the northern frontier is even farther, and the cost would double. This would drain the empire, not be a sound policy.'"
Chen Dengyuan's Note: In Emperor Huandang's reign, the empire was already in three 'empties.' This followed the wasteful spending on the suppression of the Qiang, which set the stage for Lingdi's sale of officials in the Western Courtyard. This, along with the incident of the Imperial Store later recorded, was not accidental. Emperor Huandang reigned for twenty-one years and died at the age of thirty-six. Emperor Lingdi reigned for twenty-two years and died at the age of thirty-four. For those who poorly understood matters, during a time of national hardship, this truly reflected the 'Heaven is dead' prophecy of Zhang Jiao.