Bai Yang's Colloquial Version of Zizhi Tongjian: First Series - Qin Wind and Han Rain

Author: Sima Guang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The new edition of "Bai Yang's Colloquial Version of Zizhi Tongjian" published by Beiyue Literature and Art Press has undergone extensive revisions. The version is complete in content, with elegant and noble design, and the gift set further highlights the extraordinary temperament of the owner.
Zizhi Tongjian is an official compiled chronicle history that presents a clear and organized account of Chinese history from 403 BC to 959 AD, covering a total of 1,362 years. It was edited under the leadership of Sima Guang, a representative of the conservative faction in the Northern Song Dynasty in the 11th century. The content focuses on the deeds of emperors and ministers from various dynasties, as well as the rise and fall of dynasties, with the aim of providing a mirror for rulers to reflect on their governance. Liang Qichao called it the "textbook for emperors." Setting aside Sima Guang's political stance, the value of Zizhi Tongjian is extremely high. It is a condensed of over a thousand years of Chinese history, yet due to its classical Chinese language, it remains inaccessible to modern readers, as if reading an ancient scripture.
From 1983 to 1993, Bai Yang completed the translation of Zizhi Tongjian with his exceptional historical insight and unique perspective. During the ten years of translating and writing Zizhi Tongjian, it almost became another form of imprisonment for Bai Yang. He hung a prison number, "297," in front of his study to commemorate his arduous writing career, turning his study into a prison. Every night, he dreamed of Zizhi Tongjian, often waking up suddenly from confusion and frustration.
Features of "Bai Yang's Colloquial Version of Zizhi Tongjian"
The appeal of "Bai Yang's Colloquial Version of Zizhi Tongjian" extends beyond historical records—it also includes the author, Bai Yang. Bai Yang is a prolific writer who has served time in prison, written novels and essays, and whose works like "The History of the Chinese People" were listed among the ten most influential books in 1985. His works "The Brutal Collision of the Pickled Jar Culture" and "The Ugly Chinese" criticized Chinese culture as rotten, causing significant shock. His writing style is sharp and critical. Readers who enjoy Bai Yang will also enjoy "Bai Yang's Colloquial Version of Zizhi Tongjian." In the original text, Sima Guang appended "Zheng Guang said" to express his thoughts, while in Bai Yang's translation, he added "Bai Yang said" to record his reflections on history. As mentioned earlier, we can imagine the tone in which Bai Yang would critique history or Sima Guang's "Zheng Guang said," which adds to the reading pleasure.
In addition to wars and disasters, the descriptions of historical figures are vivid. Over a thousand years of history—what types of characters wouldn’t you find? There are villains, loyal ministers, scoundrels, demons, beasts, martyrs, harlots, and those who love gossip. For example, who was the father of Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng? Was it Ying Yi or Lü Buwei?
"Bai Yang's Colloquial Version of Zizhi Tongjian" is a gift for ambitious or elite individuals in 2007, offering insights into the psychology and thought patterns of the Chinese people, as well as the dynamics of Chinese politics and power transitions. If you just want to pass the time without too much effort, you can read it as a storybook covering 1,362 years of Chinese history, with no dull moments. The Bible of Chinese power games, Taiwan's most influential book, one of the top twelve publishing news in Taiwan, a treasure of Chinese cultural heritage, and an annal of medieval China.
Mirror of copper can correct attire,
Mirror of people can reveal gains and losses,
Mirror of history can reflect rise and fall—
Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang)
Taiwanese scholar Bai Yang's colloquial version of Zizhi Tongjian, Volume "Qin Wind and Han Rain" (4 volumes), is published by Beiyue Literature and Art Press. Bai Yang began translating Zizhi Tongjian in 1983, publishing it in monthly installments by Taiwan's Yuanliu Publishing Company under the title "Bai Yang's Version of Zizhi Tongjian." Over the years (1983–1993), Mr. Bai Yang translated Zizhi Tongjian into modern language, personally redrawn maps, and infused his own historical perspectives, discussing the causes of historical success and failure. This made a history book originally intended for emperors and generals so accessible to modern readers. The series has undergone extensive revisions, correcting names and places in the original text, fixing numerous errors, and adapting language and narrative styles to suit contemporary Chinese readers. Additionally, historical maps and charts were redrawn based on the "Historical Atlas of China" and the latest research.
Zizhi Tongjian is a monumental work that condenses the political struggles and power games of ancient China. It was a must-read for emperors and generals to learn from past events and govern wisely. Nine hundred years later, Mr. Bai Yang spent ten years (1983–1993) translating it into modern language, personally redrawing maps, and injecting his own views, discussing the causes of historical success and failure. This made a history book originally intended for emperors and generals so accessible to modern readers.