Ming Shi Yanyi - Popular Histories of China's Dynasties (Illustrated Edition)

Author: Cai Dongfan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The facts of the Ming Dynasty recorded in official and private histories are most detailed in The History of the Ming Dynasty, Comprehensive Mirror to the Ming Dynasty, and Annals of the Ming Dynasty. The History of the Ming Dynasty and Comprehensive Mirror to the Ming Dynasty are official histories, while Annals of the Ming Dynasty is a private history. I once examined that The History of the Ming Dynasty consists of 332 volumes, Comprehensive Mirror to the Ming Dynasty (Gangmu) contains 20 volumes, and Annals of the Ming Dynasty has 80 volumes. Each collection contains tens of millions of words, with the most extensive reaching hundreds of millions, and the least still not falling below millions. Without years of effort, one cannot thoroughly read these three books. Moreover, there are numerous unofficial histories, with each era producing its own works. Even if one is determined to study ancient times, they are often hindered by limited resources and cannot afford to read them all. Even if they do read them, relying on temporary memory, can they recall everything?
Furthermore, official and private histories often contradict each other—sometimes they agree while differing, sometimes they differ while agreeing, sometimes one is detailed while the other is brief, and sometimes one avoids mentioning certain events while the other records them truthfully. Distinguishing truth from falsehood relies heavily on the careful judgment of the reader. Merely skimming through them, can one discern everything clearly?
I have been engaged in studying history for many years and, though ashamed of my ignorance, dare not comment on it. However, in the past few years, I have whimsically written The Popular Romance of the Qing Dynasty in 100 chapters. The refined scholars of the world did not disdain its simplicity and encouraged me to continue, even asking me to compile The Romance of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties as a continuation of the three dynasties. Thus, out of respect for public opinion, I completed The Romance of the Yuan Dynasty in 60 chapters last year and The Romance of the Ming Dynasty in 100 chapters this year.
The Yuan Dynasty history is full of gaps and lacks references, while the Ming Dynasty history is overly complex, requiring careful selection. Unable to avoid this, I meticulously researched both official and private histories to compile a record of the Ming Dynasty's rise and fall, selecting the most significant events and narrating them in vernacular language. Among them, the deeds of loyal officials, righteous scholars, chaste wives, and heroic women are especially highlighted to inspire future generations. Conversely, the villains, treacherous officials, and cunning thieves are exposed without concealment. Good deeds are to be learned from, as are bad ones—this has been my guiding principle in editing, and I have paid particular attention to it in this book.
As for obscure tales and local legends not recorded in official histories, those that can be corroborated are preserved, while those too fantastical to verify are omitted or summarized with concluding remarks for clarity. The language avoids pretense and sticks to the vernacular, following the same style as the Yuan Dynasty and Qing Dynasty romances.
After completing this work, I have written this preface to express my views. September 9, 1919, Cai Dongfan of Guye wrote this at Linjiang Book Studio.