History of Yuan Dynasty (Upper, Middle, Lower)

Author: (Ming) Song Lian et al. compiled, Yan Chongdong et al. edited
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1998-06-01
Features: The Yuan History comprises 210 volumes, a systematically recorded feudal history of China's Yuan Dynasty and its downfall. In the first year of the Hongwu era (1368), the very year the Yuan Dynasty fell, Emperor Taizu of Ming, Zhu Yuanzhang, ordered the compilation of the Yuan History. Emperor Taizu, the Heavenly-Nomad, Open-Air, Holy-Martial Emperor, styled Temüjin, belonged to the Kiyat clan, a Mongol tribe. His tenth-generation ancestor was Bataar Eri, whose mother, Alan Gorkh, married Debegh Mergen and bore two sons: the eldest was Bocagatai and the younger was Boghut Sali. After her husband's death, Alan became a widow and one night, while sleeping in her tent, she dreamed of a white light entering through the window, transforming into a golden divine figure who approached her bedside. Startled awake, Alan became pregnant and gave birth to a son, Bataar Eri. Bataar Eri had an extraordinary appearance and was silent and reserved, earning him the nickname "madman" from his family. However, Alan told others, "This child is not mad; his descendants will surely attain great honor." After Alan's death, her brothers divided the family property, leaving him nothing. Bataar Eri said, "Poverty and wealth are fate; property is nothing to speak of!" He rode on a blue horse and a white donkey to the land of Alan in Balitun and settled there. Unable to find food or drink, he once saw a hawk hunt (wild beasts) to eat. Bataar Eri set a trap with a string and captured the hawk, which then became tame. He trained the hawk to hunt rabbits and birds for his meals, and whenever he lacked food, the hawk would provide, as if guided by fate.
Chronicles According to the chronicles of the Han and Tang dynasties, both facts and words are recorded, incorporating the principles of the Shu and the Spring and Autumn Annals. For the Tang chronicles, the style is rigorous, fully imitating the Spring and Autumn Annals. In compiling the Yuan History, the chronicles follow the Han dynasty model.
Treatises According to the historical treatises of past dynasties, though there are variations in method, the Tang treatises organize facts into chapters, which scholars find daunting to verify. The recent Song History's treatises are detailed and easy to read. In compiling the Yuan History, the treatises follow the Song History model.
Tables The tables of the Han and Tang histories are comprehensive, while the Three Kingdoms History and the Five Dynasties History lack them. Only the Liao and Jin histories include tables based on available records, regardless of detail. In compiling the Yuan History, the tables follow the Liao and Jin histories model.
Biographies According to the titles of historical biographies, empresses are listed first out of respect; followed by imperial relatives, out of closeness; then officials of the era, summarizing virtue and vice; followed by rebels, representing success and failure; and finally foreign peoples, reflecting the reach of imperial influence. However, the titles of biographies in past dynasties have varied. In compiling the Yuan History, the biographies follow the model of past dynasties while incorporating adjustments.
Commentaries At the end of each chronicle, treatise, table, and biography in past dynasties, there are commentaries. In compiling the Yuan History, no commentaries are included; instead, events are recorded objectively, allowing their virtues and vices to speak for themselves, following the principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals and the imperial edicts.