What is textual research?

Textual research, also known as textual research or simple science, is mainly engaged in the collation, collation, annotation and compilation of ancient books. Scholars believe that the prosperity of textual research in Qing dynasty is due to the policy of literary inquisition in the early Qing dynasty. For example, Meng Sen said, "Since Qianlong, I have learned a lot about the world, and it is easy to avoid it when I touch it. I dare not do anything. I diverted my energy and focused on Confucian classics and exegesis of famous things, and my achievements surpassed those of previous Confucianism. " (Notes on the History of Ming and Qing Dynasties). Xiao Yishan said: "Scholars with national ideas are unwilling to be shameless yes-men under foreign policy, dare not be fierce revolutionary parties, freely study knowledge, and are afraid of crossing the net. What else can they do? " We had to "preserve our sanity" and "there are still ancients" and drill into that pile of old paper. "("Qing history ")