Categorize the "Rui Zong" (Complete 10 Volumes) of Current Affairs

Author: Chen Changshen [Qing Dynasty]
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-07-01
Features: ★32-page hardcover, published by Beijing Library Press (predecessor of the National Library) ★The book was compiled during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, divided into six major categories: Domestic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Financial Management, Military Affairs, Natural Philosophy, and Engineering. Each category is further subdivided into specific headings. ★The collected policy discussions and memorial essays include works such as "On Reform as the Greatest Challenge for China," "On the Harm of Non-Reform," "Memorial on Urgent Times and Pressing Situations," "Memorial on Rectifying Official Governance," "Twelve Strategies for Pacifying the Frontier," and "Methods for Nourishing the People." ★News and facts from various countries cover history, geography, politics, economy, military affairs, religious customs, etc. ★Various practical knowledge includes taxation, telegraphs, postal services, mining, railways, and other engineering and manufacturing disciplines, as well as specialized knowledge in chemistry, acoustics, optics, and medicine.
Comprehensive Compendium of Current Affairs Classified is a book in the style of an encyclopedia compiled during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. The compiler, Chen Changshen, styled Xingsun, was from Qiantang, Zhejiang. He became a jinshi in the twelfth year of the Guangxu reign and served as a compiler. He once taught at Shanghai Longmen College. The term "Current Affairs" refers to the pressing issues of the time, reflecting the need for new talents demanded by the call for reform and strengthening. The author adhered to the principle of "Chinese learning as the essence and Western learning as the application," integrating ancient and modern knowledge while bridging Eastern and Western traditions. Over the course of ten years, he compiled his best works into six major categories: Domestic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Financial Management, Military Affairs, Natural Philosophy, and Engineering, further subdividing each category into detailed headings. He extensively collected policy discussions and memorial essays from famous officials of past dynasties, news and facts from various countries, and various practical knowledge. The collected policy discussions and memorial essays include works such as "On Reform as the Greatest Challenge for China," "On the Harm of Non-Reform," "Memorial on Urgent Times and Pressing Situations," "Memorial on Vigorously Abstaining from Compromises," "Memorial on Eight Strategies for Rescuing the Times," "Memorial on Rectifying Official Governance," "On the Livelihood of the Eight Banners," "Proposal for Equal Taxation," "On Alleviating Suffering," "Proposal for Food Security," "On the Abolition of the Eight-legged Examination," "On Water Management," "Twelve Strategies for Pacifying the Frontier," "Methods for Educating the People," "Methods for Nourishing the People," and "Regulations for Translating Books." The news and facts from various countries cover history, geography, politics, economy, military affairs, and religious customs, etc. The practical knowledge encompasses international law, treaties between China and foreign countries, diplomatic relations between nations, trade exchanges, military preparations of various countries, chronological tables of the East and West, international expositions (i.e., world fairs), taxation, currency, telegraphs, postal services, newspapers, mining, railways, various engineering projects, various manufacturing processes, as well as specialized knowledge in astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, electricity, mechanics, steam mechanics, acoustics, optics, and medicine. In summary, it is rich in content, compiling the achievements of previous Chinese efforts to learn from the West, explore the causes of past dynasties' rise and fall, and understand the foundations of other countries' prosperity, as well as the origins and developments. At the same time, it serves as a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional record of modern Chinese history, holding significant value for understanding.