(1-12 volumes)

Author: (Qing) Bi Yuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-08-01
Features: This book is a classic Chinese ancient text, compiled following the structure of Zizhi Tongjian. Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian connects with Zizhi Tongjian, starting from Emperor Taizu of Song's Jianlong Year 1 (AD 960) and ending with Emperor Zhizheng of Yuan's Zhizheng Year 28 (AD 1368), covering four hundred and eleven years. It is a relatively complete chronicle history of the Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. The book is rich in historical materials and follows the style of Zizhi Tongjian, with annotations and textual criticism provided below the main text. The compiler based his work on Xu Qianxue's Post-Zizhi Tongjian and drew materials from over one hundred books, including the Four Histories of Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan, Long Edition of Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian, Annals of Juyan Since Jianyan, and others. It underwent four revisions over twenty years. The book is comprehensive in its historical materials and follows the style of Zizhi Tongjian, with annotations and textual criticism provided below the main text. The Northern Song section is more detailed, while the Yuan section is relatively brief. Bi Yuan (1730–1797), a native of Zhenyang in Jiangnan during the Qing Dynasty, styled Xiangheng and styled Qiumei, served as the Governor-General of Hubei. He was knowledgeable in Confucian classics, history, philology, epigraphy, and other fields. He believed that "the meaning of classics should follow the Han Confucians, Shuowen Jiezi should follow Xu Shen, and the annalistic history should follow Suishui Master (i.e., Sima Guang) in length." He enjoyed associating with scholars and was later joined by renowned scholars such as Qian Daixin, Shao Jinhán, Zhang Xuecheng, and Hong Liangjí in his entourage.