The Draft History of the Qing Dynasty is an unfinished draft of the History of the Qing Dynasty compiled by the Qing History Museum established by the Beijing government of the Republic of China. It is divided into four parts: chronicle, chronicle, table and biography according to the official history style. The following is a basic introduction to the history of the Qing Dynasty that I carefully compiled for you. I hope you like it.
The compilation process of the Qing History Manuscript
In the third year of the Republic of China (1914), upon submission by the State Council, President Yuan Shikai established the Qing History Museum, with Zhao Erxun as the director, Miao Quansun, Ke Shaobin and others were the chief editors and took charge of the compilation work of Qing history. There were more than 100 participants. There was no fixed establishment and the staff were hired by the curator. For example, Zhao Erxun personally visited Xia Suntong and asked him to come forward as the chief editor.
There is a "workbook" in the Qing History Museum, which records the division of labor among the librarians, such as "Tianwen Zhi" and "Shi Xian Zhi" written by Ke Shaobin. Miao Quansun wrote "The Scholars' Biography", "Wenyuan's Biography" and "The Tusi's Biography". Wu Tingxie wrote "Benji" and "Chronology of Ministers" for the five dynasties of Gaozong, Renzong, Xuanzong, Wenzong and Muzong. Wu Shijian wrote one volume each of "Geographical Records" of Guizhou and Xinjiang, "Clan Lineage List", "Princess List", "Princes' Genealogy List" and the first draft of "Yiwenzhi". Zhang Yu's "Zhongyi Biography" and "Yiwenzhi" were finalized. Jin Zhaofan wrote biographies of Taizu, Taizong and Shunzhi and "Biography of Women". Qin Shusheng wrote the Zhili volume of "Geography", and Wang Dajun wrote the biographies of the Jiaqing Dynasty. Xia Suntong wrote biographies of Jiaqing and Daoguang dynasties, as well as "Biography of Xunli" and "Biography of Art". Tian Yinghuang wrote the Shanxi volume of "Geography". Luo Dunzong wrote "Transportation Chronicles" and Dai Xizhang wrote "Diplomatic Relations Chronicles". Tang Bangzhi wrote "Chronology of Military Ministers". Wang Shunan wrote the biographies of ministers of the Xianfeng and Tongzhi dynasties. Ye Erkai wrote "Religious Chronicles", including one volume each for Lamaism, Christianity, and Islam. Zhang Caitian wrote "Geographical Chronicles" Jiangsu Volume, "Criminal Law Chronicles", "Le Chronicles" and "Biography of Concubines". Wu Huaiqing wrote the Shaanxi volume of "Geographical Records" and the review volume of "Food and Goods Records". Zhang Shuyun wrote "Li Zhi" and supplemented "Yufu Zhi" and "Election Zhi". Yu Biyun wrote "Bingzhi" and some biographies. Ma Qichang wrote biographies of ministers and ministers of Guangxuan Dynasty and revised "Biography of Wenyuan". Lan Yu wrote a volume on Yunnan in Geography. Zhu Shizhe said: "There are many biographies, including everyone in the library. From the rest of the discussion, although the biographies of Xian and Tong are the main ones, they have been supplemented by all the dynasties since Kangxi and Qianlong. Each dynasty is written by many hands, but each dynasty has a main writer; when it comes to editing, who is responsible will be more responsible. "
During the writing period, it is often necessary to ask someone to copy the manuscript. "The first copy of the manuscript will be written by each person's own hand, and the calculation will be calculated by the library as a small ocean corner of a thousand words." The first draft was compiled in 1920, revised once in 1926, and almost completed in 1927.
The value of historical materials in the Qing History Draft
The Qing History Draft collects a relatively rich collection of Qing history materials. Since the Qing court archives, private writings and cultural classics were relatively intact when the Qing Dynasty fell, this provided substantial original data for the compilation of the "Manuscript of Qing History".
"Records of the Qing Dynasty", covering the twelve dynasties from Taizu to Xuantong,
"History of the Qing Dynasty", complete with records, biographies, records and tables, before the fall of the Qing Dynasty,
>
Edicts of the Qing Dynasty, also known as "Sacred Instructions",
4,938 volumes of Qing Dianzhi; more than 2,000 volumes of biographies and chronicles of celebrities in the Qing Dynasty;
The Qing chronicle and history book "Donghua Lu" and more than a thousand volumes. In addition, there are countless official records of a specific event and private records of the beginning and end of an event.
In short, the "Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty" uses "mainly actual records, old historical records and biographies of the country, and various records, and what I obtained from my husband's interviews, in order to pass on the information." "The Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty" 》concentrated and systematically organized the historical materials of the Qing Dynasty, and accumulated rich materials for future generations to study the history of the Qing Dynasty. This should be affirmed.
The Historical Limitations of the Qing History Draft
Since the establishment of the Qing History Museum in 1914, it took fourteen years to complete. More than 100 people including Ke Shaobin and others have participated in the abbreviation. The style of this book is the same as the official history of the past dynasties. It is divided into four parts: the chronicle, the chronicles, the lists, and the biographies, with a total of 529 volumes. However, when the "Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty" was compiled, most of the compilers were veterans of the Qing Dynasty, and they were very attached to the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, there were many words in the book that opposed the revolution, slandered the martyrs, and flattered the Qing Dynasty. The political stance was very problematic. Secondly, the archives of the Qing Dynasty had not yet been cleaned up at that time, and historians could only rely on manuscripts and relevant historical records in the original National History Museum, and could not directly use the original archives, so the value was low. Thirdly, when the "Manuscript of Qing History" was written, the Kuomintang's Northern Expeditionary Army was about to enter Beijing. It was printed in a hurry and failed to uniformly revise and carefully collate the whole book. Therefore, there are many errors and omissions in historical facts, names of people, places, dates, and dates. Zhao Erxun pointed out in the "Preface to the Publication" that this book is an "urgent chapter" "disclosed as a historical manuscript" and "is not regarded as a completed book." The year after the publication of the "Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty", that is, in 1929, Yi Peiji, the director of the Palace Museum, submitted a letter to the Executive Yuan of the Kuomintang, suggesting that the publication of the "Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty" be banned, and the "Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty" became a banned book. Yi Peiji said in his submission: "This book is written by using an old man who died in the Qing Dynasty to preside over its affairs. They claimed to be loyal to the previous dynasty, but they used to slander the Republic of China as their own thing. They ignored the suspicion that they had eaten Zhou millet, and they were full of absurdities. It is a miracle that has not been seen for thousands of years. Therefore, its style and writing are full of errors, which is particularly unbearable. If this book is allowed to be published, it will be a great shame for the Republic of China."
The editors of the "Manuscript of Qing History" clearly stood on the side of the Qing Dynasty and opposed the Revolution of 1911, so they wrote little or nothing about the revolutionary activities in the late Qing Dynasty, such as the establishment of the Xingzhonghui and the Tongmenghui, the publication of Minbao, and the 1911 Revolution. There are almost no records of the previous uprisings, and it is unclear how the Qing Dynasty was overthrown. Even if there is a little record, the language is derogatory. For example, when writing about the Wuchang Uprising, "In August of Jiayin, the revolutionary party plotted rebellion in Wuchang. When they realized it, they arrested thirty-two people and executed Liu Rukui and three others. In Bingchen, Zhang Biao used his troops to fight. The bandits rebelled, abandoned their camps and fled? Subsequently, each province supported its military base and claimed independence. Those who were elected as leaders were all called governors." With only a few crosses, the historians' stance against revolution was very clear. The martyrs who died in the revolution were regarded as "bandits". Regarding the important historical event of Sun Yat-sen being elected as the provisional president, the book states: "Seventeen representatives from the Jiaxu provinces held an election meeting in Shanghai to elect the provisional president. They elected the provisional president and established a government in Nanjing. It was named the Republic of China." , deliberately did not write Sun Yat-sen's name, so that people could not understand who the interim president was. Sun Yat-sen was the revolutionary leader who overthrew the Qing Dynasty. The name "Sun Wen" is only seen once in the "Manuscript of Qing History". In the 30th year of Guangxu's reign, "in the fifth month of Bingxu, Yi decreed an amnesty for members of the Hundred Days Party. Except for Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and Sun Wen, those who had been dismissed from office were restored to their titles, and those who were wanted and imprisoned were released" ("The Book of Dezong II"). This was when the Empress Dowager Cixi issued an order to pardon the Hundred Days Party members, specifically naming Kang, Liang, and Sun for their treason, and then mentioned Sun Wen's name.
On the contrary, the editor of the book praised those who resisted the revolution. Volume 469 of "Manuscripts of Qing History" writes biographies of a group of governors who were killed by revolutionaries, including Enming, Duanfang, Songshou, Zhao Erfeng, and Lu Zhongqi. They are also called "Unyielding Killed", or "Incessant Swearing", or "Loyalty and Filial Piety". "Elegance and justice are gathered together in one branch", and the end of the chapter says, "Someone sacrifices his life generously, or he sacrifices his life calmly, showing the world that he has great integrity and upholds the principles of integrity." These flattering words reflect the mentality of the historians who support the Qing Dynasty and oppose the revolution.
When the "Manuscript of Qing History" describes historical events such as Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, Nanming, White Lotus Sect, and Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, they are all called "bandits", "rebellious", "bandits", and "thieves", and their positions are also very clear. The "Manuscript of Qing History" records events after the Republic of China. It does not use the Republic of China to record the years, but uses the stems and branches to record the years. For example, the first year of the Republic of China is called the "Renzi Year", the second year of the Republic of China is called the "Guichou Year", and the third year of the Republic of China is called the "Jiayin Year", indicating that they do not recognize the Republic of China and do not worship the Zhengshuo of the Republic of China. The "Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty" was paid by the Republic of China government to compile and edit it. They actually slandered the Revolution of 1911 and opposed the Republic of China. Therefore, Yi Peiji said in his petition for the banning of "Manuscripts of Qing History": Those who compiled history "would have been greatly punished in previous generations, and their books would certainly be burned. Now our government does not offend them, and it is the most merciful thing. His book should never be published in the country again, as it would make future generations laugh and be a disgrace to our Republic of China. It is better to seal up the traitorous "Manuscript of Qing History" forever and prohibit its distribution."
As we all know, during the late Qing Dynasty, imperialism invaded China and the Qing Dynasty lost power and humiliated the country. The "Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty" was taboo in the Qing Dynasty and was often understated and unclear. For example, after the Opium War, the Treaty of Nanjing was signed. The "Benji of Xuanzong" only states (in the 23rd year of Daoguang) that "in the eighth month of Wuyin, the senior elite reported to Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Ningbo, and Shanghai Haikou that they had agreed to trade with Britain." In just 50 words, it only mentions five ports of trade, but does not mention the important matters such as the cession of Hong Kong, agreed tariffs, compensation for military and cigarette expenses, etc.
Due to the limitations of their knowledge structure, the compilers of the "Manuscript of Qing History" did not understand foreign situations, so they made many errors in describing foreign affairs. For example, it is said that "Russia is close to the Atlantic Ocean and those who believe in Catholicism" ("Diplomatic Relations"). In fact, Russia is close to the Baltic Sea and far away from the Atlantic Ocean. It believes in Orthodox Christianity, not Catholicism. During the Westernization Movement in the late Qing Dynasty, factories were set up, mines were mined, railways were built, and ships were built, starting the pace of China's modernization. The "Manuscript of Qing History" only established "Transportation Chronicles" to summarize the industrial and mining transportation construction at that time, but it did not include the huge Shanghai Manufacturing Bureau, Fuzhou Shipping Bureau, Hanyeping Enterprise, Kailuan Coal Mine, Keelung Coal Mine, Dasheng Cotton Mill, Huasheng Coal Mine, etc. Cotton mills and others turned a blind eye. These enterprises marked the difficult beginning of China's modernization. There is no record of them in the "Manuscript of Qing History", which is indeed a major omission.
It is almost universally known that Xinjiang established a province in the ninth year of Guangxu and Taiwan established a province in the eleventh year of Guangxu. However, "Manuscripts of Qing History and Geography" says that "after Emperor Mu Zong (Tongzhi) revived, Taiwan and Xinjiang were reclassified as provinces", which advanced the time when Taiwan and Xinjiang were established as provinces to the time of Tongzhi. The National Affairs Office was established in the late years of Xianfeng, and the "Qing History Manuscripts and Official Records" states that "it extended to Dezong (Guangxu), foreign invaders made their presence felt, and the Translation Office was established." According to the "Translation Office", which is the abbreviation of the National Affairs Office, the time of its establishment is postponed to the Guangxu period.
"Rivers and Canals" records the situation of rivers across the country, but only four of them are recorded: the Yellow River, the Huaihe River, the Canal, and the Yongding River. The Yangtze River, the longest river in our country, has been missing, and other major rivers such as the Pearl River, Heilongjiang, Songhua River, and Yarlung Zangbo River have all disappeared.
"Tianwen Zhi" only records the last years of Qianlong, and more than a hundred years after Qianlong. There is no astronomy to check. The reason is that there were astronomical records when foreign missionaries served in the Qintian Prison. However, after the missionaries left, the astronomical records were lost and the data were blank, so there was only half of the "Tianwen Zhi".
"Shi Xian Zhi" contains three volumes of eight-line tables, which are logarithmic tables in middle school students' mathematics textbooks and have nothing to do with Qing history. The history compilers lack knowledge of natural science, so it is really nondescript to stuff it into the "Manuscript of Qing History".
During the Qing Dynasty, the Nanming regime existed, including Hongguang, Longwu, and Yongli dynasties, which lasted for eighteen years. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom regime lasted for fourteen years. "Manuscripts of Qing History" briefly deals with it. The Southern Ming regime only established three biographies of Zhang Huangyan, Li Dingguo, and Zheng Chenggong, while the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom only established one biography of Hong Xiuquan. The setting of biographies is also very messy, with one person establishing the second biography and fourteen people (Wang Zhaoyuan, Ushihada, Ma Sanjun, An Lu, Zhou Chun, Leshan, Lan Dingyuan, Hu Youcheng, Suna, Huilun). , Luo Bi, Ashtan, Xie Qikun). There are also those who should have established a biography but did not, such as Weng Fanggang, Zhu Jun (who was added later), Lu Liuliang, and Tan Zhonglin, all of whom have no biography. Yan Fu was a famous thinker in the late Qing Dynasty. He translated and introduced Western culture to China and had a great influence. There is no exclusive biography, only an appendix following Lin Shu. The biographies of women in the "Manuscripts of the History of the Qing Dynasty" list 200 to 300 women, most of whom had husbands who died early, did not marry, or whose husbands died and died. It is purely feudal dregs that promote the ethical code and the three obediences and four virtues, and it has no redeeming qualities.
There are many inaccuracies in the historical events recorded in the "Manuscript of the History of the Qing Dynasty", and there are countless errors in the names of people, places, and dates. For example, the "Prince List" records that Yan Xin "attacked Baylor in the first year of Yongzheng's reign and sought to make him the county king for meritorious service. He was dismissed from the title for crimes in the sixth year", which is wrong. The highest title of Yanxin is Baylor, and he has not been granted the title of county king. Yongzheng dismissed his title in the third year, not the sixth year. "Princess List" records that Princess Shouen Gulun, the sixth daughter of Xuanzong (Daoguang), was "born in December of the tenth year of Daoguang and died in April of the ninth year of Xianfeng at the age of thirty-eight", which is wrong. Calculated based on the years of his birth and death, his actual age was only thirty years old, not thirty-eight years old. "Shizu Benji 1" states: In June of the second year of Shunzhi, "(Li) Zicheng fled to Jiugong Mountain and hanged himself to death", which is wrong. Note: Li Zicheng was killed by the landlord's armed forces and did not hang himself. In October of the second year of Shunzhi, "Zhu Yuzhao, the king of the Ming and Tang Dynasties, took control of Fujian", which is wrong. Note: The Tang king’s name was Zhu Yujian, not Yuzhao. In March of the fifth year of Kangxi's reign in the Annals of the Holy Ancestor, "Hu Bai was appointed governor of Zhili", which was wrong. Note: The governor of Zhili in that year was Zhu Changzuo, not Hu Bai. In July of the seventeenth year of Kangxi's reign, "it was the month when Wu Sangui assumed the title of "Hengzhou", which was wrong. Note: Wu Sangui proclaimed himself emperor in March, not July, of the seventeenth year of Kangxi. In March of the 19th year of Kangxi's reign, "Wu Dan returned to Chongqing, Dazhou, and Fengxiang, and all the prefectures and counties were settled." It was wrong. Note: There is no Fengxiang County in Sichuan, it should be Dongxiang. In the 29th year of Kangxi's reign, "Prince Rong Chang Ning was appointed as An Yuanda, and Prince Labu of Jian and Prince Eza of Xin County were his deputy." It is wrong that Chang Ning should be appointed as Anbeida instead of An Yuanda. Labu had died in the 20th year of Kangxi. Di Yabu attacked and conferred the title of Prince Jian. This should be Yabu, not Labu. Also, "The Biography of Ruan Yuan" says: "The Biography of Chou Ren was compiled by a collection of astronomical and arithmetic experts from the Qing Dynasty to highlight his unique knowledge." This is wrong. Note: Ruan Yuan's "Biography of Chou Ren" records the biographies of scientists from all dynasties in our country, not just the Qing Dynasty. The "Records of Diplomatic Relations" records that "the Yingyouli country's Tai Tai was a native of Jiaying Prefecture, and his family has always relied on foreign food." This is wrong. Note: Li Taiguo is also translated as Li Taiguo. He served as the first General Taxation Secretary in China. He is British, not of Chinese origin, and has no relationship with Jiaying Prefecture in Guangdong. Errors like this in historical facts, names of people, places, and time are everywhere and difficult to describe. Mr. Wang Zongyan carefully collated part of the "Manuscripts of the History of the Qing Dynasty" and found thousands of errors, which were compiled into a book called "Notes on Reading the Manuscripts of the History of the Qing Dynasty". He commented, "Everywhere I read, there are countless mistakes in the year, official title, person, place, and book title. There are many contradictions in historical facts and perverse styles."
The "Manuscript of Qing History" records the beginning of Nurhachi's declaration of Khan to the end of the Qing Dynasty in the third year of Xuantong. Some of the biographies also involve Zhang Xun's restoration after the Revolution of 1911, Puyi's departure from Tianjin after leaving the palace, and Wang Guowei's suicide by throwing himself into Kunming Lake in Beijing. This book is mostly based on "Records of the Qing Dynasty", "Political Records of Xuantong", "Huidian of the Qing Dynasty", "Biographies of National History" and some archival materials. The editor has collected these historical materials and made preliminary arrangements so that readers can get a more detailed and systematic account of the Qing Dynasty. material of contemporary history. Moreover, some chronicles and biographies of figures in the late Qing Dynasty are not based on common historical materials, and should have different origins. Therefore, this book still has its reference value.
Although the "Draft History of the Qing Dynasty" has many flaws, this is an unfinalized official history when there is no other Qing history that can replace it today. It has become a valuable history book for our study of Qing history.
In March 1914, Zhao Erxun was called by Yuan Shikai as the director of the Qing History Museum. After he took office, he hired more than 100 Qing Dynasty veterans and famous scholars such as Ke Shaobin and Miao Quansun, more than 200 staff members, and more than 300 honorary positions to form a compilation team and began to compile Qing history. At a time when warlords were fighting, national power was weakening, and funds were extremely tight. Especially after 1917, the expenses were almost non-existent. Zhao Erxun was very fond of the Qing Dynasty and believed that it was related to the history of a generation. "If you don't repair the present, it will be difficult to start the future business." No matter how difficult it is, he "dare not blame it." On the one hand, he saved expenses and urged colleagues to speed up progress and fulfill more responsibilities. On the other hand, he used his qualifications to solicit donations from various warlords, and said: "You cannot publish "History of the Qing Dynasty", and you cannot publish "Manuscripts of the History of the Qing Dynasty"!" It was finally compiled in 1927. "Manuscript of Qing History" provides authoritative historical materials for studying the history of the Qing Dynasty. Zhao Erxun died of illness in Beijing on September 3 of that year at the age of 83. The following year, the "Manuscript of Qing History" was officially printed and published.
Related articles for the basic introduction of Qing history manuscripts:
1. Introduction to basic information of historical records
2. Introduction to the character of Kong Sizhen
3. Ancient times A complete introduction to the Five Rites
4. An introduction to the Chinese classics Sun Yirang
5. An introduction to the classic Chinese classics Confucius