Ming Shi Yanyi

Author: Cai Dongfan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-27
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 Times of the Ming Dynasty, and Annals of the Ming Dynasty. The History of the Ming Dynasty and Comprehensive Mirror to the Times of the Ming Dynasty are official histories, while Annals of the Ming Dynasty is a private history. I once studied that The History of the Ming Dynasty has 332 volumes, Comprehensive Mirror to the Times of 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 not less than millions. Without years of effort, one cannot thoroughly read these three books. Moreover, there are numerous unofficial histories, with books published in each generation. Even if one is determined to study ancient history, they are often limited by their abilities and cannot afford to read them all. Even if they do read them, relying on temporary memory like a weasel's gathering of fish, can they remember everything?
Furthermore, official and private histories often differ: some are the same yet different, some are different yet the same, some are detailed in one while brief in another, and some omit what another records. Distinguishing truth from falsehood relies heavily on the reader's careful judgment. Merely skimming through can one discern everything clearly?
I have been engaged in studying history for many years and, ashamed of my ignorance, 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 to compile 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 completed The Romance of the Ming Dynasty in 100 chapters.
The Yuan Dynasty history is full of gaps and lacks, while the Ming Dynasty history is overly complex, requiring careful selection. Unable to avoid this, I meticulously examined 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 particularly highlighted to inspire future generations. Conversely, the villains, treacherous officials, and cunning thieves are exposed without concealment.
Those who do good are teachers, and those who do evil are also teachers—this has been my principle in editing, and I have been especially mindful of 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 clear judgments. The writing avoids pretense and sticks to the vernacular, following the precedent of the Yuan and Qing Romances.
After completing the compilation, I have written this preface to express my views. September 9, 1919, Cai Dongfan of Guyue writes from Linjiang Study.