Great Tang Tales -- Tang and Song

Author: Liu Su
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-08-13
Features: Da Tang Xin Yu, compiled by Liu Su of the Tang Dynasty. The New Book of Tang Art and Literature describes Liu Su as "the chief clerk of Jiangdu during the Yuanhe era" (807 AD). The current edition of the book includes an author's preface dated to the Dinghai year of Yuanhe (807 AD), with the title "Dengshi Lang, former chief clerk of Xianyang County, Jiangdu." The 69th volume of the Complete Works of the Tang Dynasty states, "Liu Su served as the chief clerk of Jiangdu County and Xianyang County during the Yuanhe era," likely referring to both positions. His other details are unknown. The book records the words and deeds of historical figures in the Tang Dynasty, starting from the early Tang period and ending in the Dali era (766-779 AD), with most of its material drawn from the old annals of the Tang Dynasty. It follows the style of Shuoshuo Xinyu, divided into thirty categories such as "Correction and Praise," "Admonition," "Extreme Counsel," and "Integrity," spanning thirteen volumes, primarily collecting historical materials related to politics and moral education. At the end of the book, there is an essay titled "General Discussion," which expresses the author's intention: to use past events as a warning. The book was first listed in the New Book of Tang Art and Literature under the category of Miscellaneous Histories. The History of Song Dynasty's Art and Literature included it in the category of Biographies, titled "Tang Xin Yu." Ming Dynasty printed editions revised the title to "Da Tang Shuoshuo Xinyu" or "Tang Shuoshuo Xinyu." The Complete Library of the Four Treasuries restored the original title based on the New Book of Tang Art and Literature and classified it under the category of Novelists.