Ming Shi Yanyi (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 record. I once examined that The History of the Ming Dynasty has 332 volumes, Comprehensive Mirror to the Ming Dynasty has 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 no less than millions. Without years of effort, one cannot thoroughly read these three books. Moreover, there are numerous unofficial histories, each with its own publications. Even if one is determined to study ancient history, they are often hindered by their limited capabilities and cannot afford to browse through them all. Even if they do browse, relying on fleeting memory, can they recall everything?
Furthermore, official and private histories often contradict each other—some are similar yet different, some different yet similar, some detailed while others are brief, and some omit certain facts while others record them. Distinguishing truth from falsehood relies heavily on the careful judgment of the reader. Merely skimming through cannot lead to clear distinctions. I have been reading history for many years and, though I feel foolish, dare not comment on it. However, a few years ago, I whimsically wrote 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 proceed. They also entrusted me with compiling The Romance of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, aiming to present a continuous narrative of three dynasties. Thus, I reluctantly complied with their requests and completed The Romance of the Yuan Dynasty in 60 chapters last year, and this year, I finished The Romance of the Ming Dynasty in 100 chapters.
The Yuan Dynasty history is incomplete and lacks, while the Ming Dynasty history is overly complex, requiring careful selection. Therefore, I had no choice but to compile it by thoroughly examining both official and private records, presenting the actual rise and fall of the dynasty in vernacular language. Among them, the deeds of loyal officials, righteous scholars, and chaste and heroic women are particularly highlighted to inspire future generations. Conversely, the villains, treacherous officials, and cunning thieves are exposed without concealment. Goodness is a teacher, and evil is also a teacher—this has been my guiding principle in editing, and I have paid special attention to it in this book.
As for anecdotes and local tales not recorded in official histories, those that can be cross-referenced are preserved, while those too absurd to verify are omitted or summarized with concluding remarks. The language avoids pretense and sticks to common expressions, following the same style as the Yuan and Qing 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.