Full text translation:
Sima Guang was the prime minister during the Zhezong period of the Song Dynasty. He once edited the "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" and was a famous minister at the time. When he was young, he was worried that his ability to memorize poems and books in preparation for responses was not as good as others. Everyone studied and discussed together. While other brothers had already learned how to recite and went to play and rest, he studied hard alone until he could recite proficiently.
He himself said: The more effort you put into reading now, the more lasting the rewards will be. The books he has read and recited intensively will be remembered throughout his life. Over time, I have read all the ancient books, and I have become more knowledgeable and have a strong memory. He said: You can’t read without memorizing. When riding a horse and walking, or when you can’t sleep in the middle of the night, you can recite the article you have read and think about its meaning. , the harvest will be much more.
Original text:
Sima Guang, the prime minister of Song Zhezong, was the editor-in-chief of "Zizhi Tongjian" and became a famous official for a while. When he was a child, his memory was not as good as other people's. The brothers stopped wandering after they had finished reciting the poem, and he stayed alone in the house until he could recite it satirically. He said to himself: "The one who exerts more force will achieve greater results, and he will never forget it throughout his life." When he was a long time ago, he read ancient books, learned a lot and had strong ambitions, and said: "The book must be recited. I may chant it immediately, or when I am not sleeping at night. "Sima Guang Qin Xue" comes from "Records of the Words and Deeds of Famous Officials in Three Dynasties" written by Zhu Xi of the Song Dynasty. Extended information
Sima Guang, minister and historian of the Northern Song Dynasty, was buried in Baoyuan. In the last years of Renzong's reign, he was appointed as the official of Tianzhang Pavilion and served as the lecturer of Zhijianyuan. He determined to compile "Tongzhi" as a reference for feudal rule. In the third year of Zhiping (1066), eight volumes of Shangjin were compiled from the Warring States Period to the Qin Dynasty. Ying Zong ordered the establishment of a bureau to continue the revision. Emperor Shenzong gave the book the title "Zizhi Tongjian".
He strongly opposed Wang Anshi's new policy and argued with Anshi in front of the emperor, emphasizing that the laws of his ancestors were immutable. When he was appointed as Deputy Privy Envoy, he refused to resign. The following year, he retired to Luoyang and continued to compile "Tongjian" in a bookstore. It was completed in the seventh year of Yuanfeng (1084).
He wrote everything himself, from inventing the rules to deleting the final draft. In the eighth year of Yuanfeng, Song Zhezong came to the throne. Empress Dowager Gao took charge of the government and summoned him to the capital to take charge of state affairs. The following year, he was appointed as Shangshu Zuopushe and concurrently as a disciple. Within a few months, he abolished the new law and deposed the new party. He died of illness eight months after serving as prime minister, and was posthumously granted the title of Duke Wen. His posthumous works include "Sima Wenzhenggong Collection", "Ji Gu Lu", etc., and many famous works have been circulated by the public.
Sima Guang’s main achievements are reflected in academics. Among them, the greatest contribution is to preside over the compilation of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian". During the Xining reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty, Sima Guang strongly opposed Wang Anshi's reform and asked Shangshu to be appointed as a foreign minister. In the fourth year of Xining (1071), he was sentenced to the Yushitai of Xijing. From then on, he lived in Luoyang for fifteen years and did not care about political affairs.
During this leisurely period, Sima Guang presided over the compilation of the 294-volume chronicle history book "Zizhi Tongjian" with nearly 4 million words. Sima Guang's Duleyuan Garden was both his residence and the location of the Zizhi Tongjian bookstore. The environment here is beautiful and the style is simple, reflecting the owner's taste and pursuit.
The bookstore had been established by imperial edict when it was in Bianjing. In addition to Sima Guang, the famous scholars Liu Shu, Liu Xun and Fan Zuyu at that time all participated in the work of the bookstore. Among them, Sima Guang is the editor-in-chief, Liu Shu, Liu Tong, and Fan Zuyu are co-editors, and Sima Guang's son Sima Kang is responsible for reviewing the text. After Sima Guang came to Luoyang, he moved the "Zizhi Tongjian" bookstore from Bianliang to Luoyang.
Not only the staff of the bookstore lived in Duyuan, but famous sages from Luoyang at that time such as Er Cheng, Shao Yong, Wen Yanbo, etc. also often came here to gather. It can be called an academic center.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Sima Guangqinxue