Zhi Shi: Complete Ten Volumes

Author: Ma Cao (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Ma Cao, styled Cao Yu, also known as Wan Si, was from Zouping. In 1658 (the 15th year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Shizu Emperor), he passed the provincial examination as a candidate of grace and became a jinshi the following year, being appointed as the judge of Huai'an Prefecture. During his tenure, he spent over three months and overturned many unjust cases, earning a reputation for his integrity and competence. Later, due to the elimination of positions, he was transferred to serve as the magistrate of Lingbi County, Anhui. During his five years in office, he promoted the beneficial and abolished the harmful, suppressed the wicked and helped the good, achieving notable achievements. In 1673 (the 12th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Shengzu Emperor), he died of a sudden illness in his official residence. He was enshrined in the Temple of Famous Officials and posthumously honored as "Mr. Wen Jie."
Ma Cao was intelligent and studious from a young age and, after adulthood, extensively studied the works of various schools of thought. His academic attainments and status far surpassed his political reputation. He was a renowned ancient historian of the early Qing Dynasty, dedicating his life to the study of classics and history, particularly fond of the Zuo Zhuan. He successively wrote works such as Shi Wei of the Zuo Zhuan, Yi Shi, and Shisan Dai Guishu, among others.