Historical and Literary Understanding

Author: Compiled by: Li Chunling
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-02-22
Features: This book is a work that explores the history and culture, and critiques the academic achievements of ancient and modern times. It is not only a rare gem in the field of history but also an exceptional masterpiece in the realm of literary criticism, ranking as the second monumental work in historical theory that can rival Shitong. The book spans from the 38th year of the Qianlong reign (1773) to the 6th year of the Jiaqing reign (1801), lasting over 20 years. Its purpose is to examine the strengths and weaknesses of existing works, evaluate different schools of thought, and further discuss the principles of selective editing. Therefore, it adopts a method of argumentative and critical writing, with a focus on history. As a comprehensive discussion on literary and historical theory, the main arguments of the author in this book include:
First, the theory of "All the Six Classics are History." Zhang Xuecheng proposed the proposition that "All the Six Classics are history," suggesting that the Six Classics are political records of the ancient kings, documenting the rites and institutions of ancient times, demonstrating that the origins of history predate those of the classics, and highlighting that classical studies are the history of the Three Dynasties and are valued by later generations.
Second, issues related to historical compilation. This is one of the main contents of the book. Zhang Xuecheng believed that historians must maintain a fundamental attitude of respecting historical truth, specifically the attitude of "exploring the intersection between heaven and humanity, fully understanding the natural order without adding human interference."
Third, treating gazetteers as a specialized discipline. The origins of gazetteers in China are very early, but it was Zhang Xuecheng who first proposed systematic theoretical claims regarding gazetteers as a specialized field. Zhang not only offered unique insights into the nature, content, and format of gazetteers but also applied his principles in practical work on compiling them. His discussions on gazetteers are still preserved in Wenshi Tongyi and Zhangshi Yeshu, marking his outstanding contributions to the study of gazetteers.
(Note: The original Chinese text contains repetitive content, which has been consolidated in the English translation for conciseness.)