Xiaoting Miscellaneous Records

Author: Zhao Xiang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1980-12-01
Features: Zhao's book, "Xiao Ting Zhalu" (Miscellaneous Records of Xiao Ting), is a richly detailed Qing Dynasty note. It preserves a vast amount of valuable historical materials related to politics, military, economy, culture, institutional systems, civil and military officials, and social customs before the early years of Emperor Daoguang. The author records his personal experiences and observations, with many historical accounts not found in other records. As a result, books such as Wei Yuan's "Sheng Wu Ji" (Record of Holy Martial Might), Li Heng's edited "De Guo Chao Qi Xian Lei Zheng" (Biographies of Elders of the German Court), and the "Qing Shi Guo" (Draft History of the Qing Dynasty) drew heavily from it, and Qing historians frequently referenced and quoted it. For example, the event of Fu Hai's military campaign to conquer Chahar is not mentioned in the "Biography of Fu Hai" in the "Qing Shi Lue Zhuan," and although it is briefly touched upon in the "Qing Shi Guo," it is extremely concise. However, the entry "Fu Wen Xiang's Military Campaign" in this book provides a more detailed account of Fu Hai's campaign against Chahar and reveals the true reason why Fu Hai was appointed as a deputy commander: "After Wu Sangui was defeated, Chahar stirred again. When the matter was reported, the Holy Ancestor was concerned. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang Wen said, 'Fu Hai possesses outstanding talent and strategy; he can shoulder this responsibility.' The Emperor immediately summoned him and bestowed upon him the general's seal.'" This brief passage reflects the role Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang Wen played in early Qing politics. The entry "The Kuiyou Rebellion" recounts the events of Lin Qing's attack on the Forbidden City in the mid-Jiaqing era, with Zhao personally participating in the suppression. The entry "The Defeat at Muguemu" details the events of the Qing government's campaign to pacify Daxinchi, while the entry "The Battle of Xiaogan" describes the conflict between the Qing rulers and the White Lotus Rebellion forces in Xiaogan, Hubei. These two incidents were personally recounted to Zhao by bright Liangming, who served as an assistant advisor in the former battle and later as the acting Guangzhou Military Governor in the latter. These firsthand materials should be quite credible and can supplement the shortcomings of historical records. The anecdotes of Qing government officials, especially their unscrupulous behavior such as greed, debauchery, cowardice, selfishness, flattery, and intrigue, were things that scholars of the time dared not write about, yet Zhao recorded them without hesitation. The entry "The Rise and Fall of Yue Weixin" explains why Yue Zhongqi lost his title due to offending a minor Manchu official. The entry "The Family Law of the Ming Grand Tutor" describes how Mingzhu felt that his reputation could not be established after being criticized by Gu Huayan and thus formulated a set of practices to preserve his status. The entry "Shi Fan's Frugality" tells the story of how Fa Shishan became wealthy through his stinginess. These records help us understand people and their times. The accounts of institutional systems are also a very valuable part of this book. Li Ciming said in his "Yue Man Tang Reading Notes": "Reading 'Xiao Ting Zhalu,' the records of our dynasty's history are detailed and thorough. For those studying the history of our dynasty, no book is better than this one." Zhao's book, "Xiao Ting Zhalu," is a richly detailed Qing Dynasty note. It preserves a vast amount of valuable historical materials related to politics, military, economy, culture, institutional systems, civil and military officials, and social customs before the early years of Emperor Daoguang. The author records his personal experiences and observations, with many historical accounts not found in other records. As a result, books such as Wei Yuan's "Sheng Wu Ji" (Record of Holy Martial Might), Li Heng's edited "De Guo Chao Qi Xian Lei Zheng" (Biographies of Elders of the German Court), and the "Qing Shi Guo" (Draft History of the Qing Dynasty) drew heavily from it, and Qing historians frequently referenced and quoted it. For example, the event of Fu Hai's military campaign to conquer Chahar is not mentioned in the "Biography of Fu Hai" in the "Qing Shi Lue Zhuan," and although it is briefly touched upon in the "Qing Shi Guo," it is extremely concise. However, the entry "Fu Wen Xiang's Military Campaign" in this book provides a more detailed account of Fu Hai's campaign against Chahar and reveals the true reason why Fu Hai was appointed as a deputy commander: "After Wu Sangui was defeated, Chahar stirred again. When the matter was reported, the Holy Ancestor was concerned. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang Wen said, 'Fu Hai possesses outstanding talent and strategy; he can shoulder this responsibility.' The Emperor immediately summoned him and bestowed upon him the general's seal.'" This brief passage reflects the role Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang Wen played in early Qing politics. The entry "The Kuiyou Rebellion" recounts the events of Lin Qing's attack on the Forbidden City in the mid-Jiaqing era, with Zhao personally participating in the suppression. The entry "The Defeat at Muguemu" details the events of the Qing government's campaign to pacify Daxinchi, while the entry "The Battle of Xiaogan" describes the conflict between the Qing rulers and the White Lotus Rebellion forces in Xiaogan, Hubei. These two incidents were personally recounted to Zhao by bright Liangming, who served as an assistant advisor in the former battle and later as the acting Guangzhou Military Governor in the latter. These firsthand materials should be quite credible and can supplement the shortcomings of historical records. The anecdotes of Qing government officials, especially their unscrupulous behavior such as greed, debauchery, cowardice, selfishness, flattery, and intrigue, were things that scholars of the time dared not write about, yet Zhao recorded them without hesitation. The entry "The Rise and Fall of Yue Weixin" explains why Yue Zhongqi lost his title due to offending a minor Manchu official. The entry "The Family Law of the Ming Grand Tutor" describes how Mingzhu felt that his reputation could not be established after being criticized by Gu Huayan and thus formulated a set of practices to preserve his status. The entry "Shi Fan's Frugality" tells the story of how Fa Shishan became wealthy through his stinginess. These records help us understand people and their times. The accounts of institutional systems are also a very valuable part of this book. Li Ciming said in his "Yue Man Tang Reading Notes": "Reading 'Xiao Ting Zhalu,' the records of our dynasty's history are detailed and thorough. For those studying the history of our dynasty, no book is better than this one."