Continue Zizhi Tongjian

Author: (Qing) Bi Yuan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-08-01
Features: This book is a classic Chinese ancient text, compiled in the structure of Zizhi Tongjian. Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian connects with Zizhi Tongjian, starting from Emperor Taizu of Song's Jianlong Year 1 (960 AD) and ending at Emperor Zhizheng of Yuan's 28th Year (1368 AD), covering four hundred and eleven years, making it a relatively complete chronicle history of the Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. The entire book is rich in historical materials and follows the style of Zizhi Tongjian, with annotations and textual criticism provided below the main text. The compiler based his work on Xu Qianxue's Post-Zizhi Tongjian, and drew materials from over one hundred books such as the Four Histories of Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan, Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian Longbian, and Annals of Jianyan Since Its Beginning. It took four revisions and twenty years to complete. The book is comprehensive in historical materials and follows the style of Zizhi Tongjian, with annotations and textual criticism provided below the main text. The Northern Song section is more detailed, while the Yuan section is relatively brief. Bi Yuan (1730-1797), a native of Zhenyang in Jiangnan during the Qing Dynasty, styled Xiangheng and styled Qiuwei, served as the Governor-General of Hubei. He was knowledgeable in Confucian classics, history, philology, epigraphy, and other fields. He believed that "the meaning of classics should follow the Han Confucians, Shuowen Jiezi should follow Xu Shen, and the annalistic history should follow Suishui Master (i.e., Sima Guang) in length." He enjoyed associating with scholars and was later joined by famous scholars such as Qian Daixin, Shao Jinhán, Zhang Xuecheng, and Hong Liangjí in his entourage.