Zizhi Tongjian Stories (Upper, Middle, Lower)

Author: Zhe Zi Geng Sheng Zhang Ping
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The Zizhi Tongjian focuses on the successes and failures of governance, selecting historical records of political administration, giving more attention to the present than the past, and skillfully organizing and refining the material to create a systematic and comprehensive work. It provides a panoramic view of political history, serving as a warning for future generations. After Emperor Shenzong of Song listened to part of the book being read by Sima Guang, he believed it "offered lessons from the past for the governance of the present" and happily renamed it The Zizhi Tongjian. Sima Guang once served as a Hanlin Academician and Censor-in-Chief, later becoming Prime Minister. He led historians like Liu Shu, Fan Zuyu, and others in compiling the work for nineteen years. Beyond official histories, they consulted and referenced over three hundred twenty-two types of books, including folk histories, personal notes, collected essays, and miscellaneous histories, ultimately earning the reputation of being "extremely comprehensive, profound in thought, and unprecedented in ancient times." The Zizhi Tongjian depicts the rise and fall of dozens of regimes from the Warring States period to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, vividly portraying the governance, interpersonal skills, and personal destinies—both joys and sorrows—of emperors, generals, and statesmen. While Sima Guang's historical perspective may not be universally accepted, the book brings its characters to life with vivid descriptions, making them seem almost tangible. The narrative style is rich in language, expansive and unrestrained, expressing a serene yet passionate spirit, singing with vigor, and depicting battles with soaring energy and unbridled passion. Though its literary elegance may not rival that of the Southern Dynasties of Qi and Liang, its style and moral backbone rival those of the Han Dynasty. Its content and thought are vast and profound, seeking truth and verification, connecting the past and present, and inclusively preserving, supplementing, and evaluating the successes and failures of previous generations. It serves as a mirror for the past and the present, truly a monumental work. The Zizhi Tongjian has been in existence for over nine hundred years, and the language has changed dramatically over time. Even professional scholars today find it difficult to read, let alone ordinary people. Therefore, The Zizhi Tongjian Stories helps readers appreciate the spirit and essence of this important classic, which was read seventeen times by Mao Zedong, by selecting over one hundred fascinating stories. The exquisite illustrations by the renowned painter Mr. Wang Yongxin add even more brilliance to the book.