Tang and Song Historical Records Anthology: Beideng Suoyan

Author: Sun Guangxian compiled, Jia Erqiang edited
Publisher:
Publishing Time:
Features: Since the chaos and dispersion of the Tang dynasty after the reign of Emperor Wuzong, the secret archives were lost, and after Emperor Wuzong, there was silence and obscurity. The merits of the court and the people were not widely spread. I was born in Min and Emei and served in Jing and Ying. I always felt ashamed of my ignorance of the stories of Chang'an. During my travels, I focused on extensive research. Recently, I met the former Fengxiang Yangbing, the young master of Shaoyin, who often spoke of the old tales of Qin. I have kept these memories in my heart. Later, I met Yuan Cheng, the middle of Zhou, in Zhou Palace, and our friendly conversations often matched his stories. Yuan said to the younger generation of the old family: [Those who were born in Chang'an heard more than those in Fuchun, which shows the great benefits of their curiosity for knowledge.] After that, whenever I heard something, I dared not believe it alone. I repeatedly checked and cross-referenced before putting pen to paper. Not only did I want to leave it as empty words, but I also wanted to use it as a warning through events. For three years, I collected and organized my notes, and after my retirement, I compiled them. First, I listed the words and deeds of the wise of the Tang dynasty in the conversation. Those with similar events, from the Tang to the Later Tang, the Liang, Shu, and Jiangnan kingdoms, were attached at the end. In total, I compiled thirty volumes of events. Yu Gong said [Cloud soil dream as Yi], and the transmission has [Hunting in Jiangnan in a dream]. I, who worked in the north of Jingjiang, titled it [North Dream Fragments], and the fragments can be understood. Although it is not a work of great significance, I hope to encourage my descendants to learn from the past, as I weave silk and hemp. Those who are knowledgeable should not mock me too much.