Liu Zhiji (661-721), courtesy name Zixuan, was born in Pengcheng (now Xuzhou, Jiangsu). In the first year of Emperor Yonglong's reign (680), Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty was elected as a Jinshi. Wu Zetian began to serve as a historian in the second year of Chang'an (702), writing notes on daily life, and successively served as Zuo Lang, Zuo Shi, Zuo Lang, Secretary Shao Jian, Prince Zuo Shuzi, Zuo Sanqi Chang Shi, etc., and also edited national history. In the third year of Chang'an, he and Zhu Jingze and others compiled eighty volumes of "Book of Tang", and in the reign of Shenlong (705-707), he and Xu Jian and others wrote "Records of Empress Wu". In the first year of Xiantian of Xuanzong (712), he revised the "Chronicles of the Clan" with the genealogist Liu Chong and others. By the second year of Kaiyuan (714), he compiled 200 volumes of "The Records of Surnames and Tribes". In the fourth year of his reign, he and Wu Jing compiled the "Chronicles of the Clan". Twenty volumes of "Records of Ruizong", thirty volumes of "Records of Zetian" and twenty volumes of "Records of Zhongzong" were revised. Liu Zhiji's life
Family and academic origin
Liu Zhiji was born into a family of officials for generations, and came from a scholarly family. His great-grandfather Liu Min was the governor of Weiyang in the Northern Qi Dynasty, and his grandfather Liu Wuben was the county magistrate of Liuliu in the Sui Dynasty. I know Ji from his grandfather Liu Yinzhi, who "had little education". During the Sui Dynasty, he became "forgettable friends" with Sun Wanshou, the prime minister of Xindu, and Li Baiyao, the minister of Zongzheng. During the Wude period of Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty, he was the magistrate of the capital of Xin. He once wrote the history and records of the country together with the prince of the country, Hu Defen, the wine minister, Yang Renqing, the author, and was awarded the title of male of Yangcheng County.
Liu Zhiji’s father, Liu Yanyou, was a Jinshi and had quite a literary reputation. Liu Zhiji's father, Liu Zangqi, was the censor during Emperor Gaozong's reign. Wei Yuanzhong, the supervisory censor, praised Liu Zangqi for his talents, and Emperor Gaozong also planned to promote him to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. However, Wei Xuantong objected, so he was released as the Sima of Songzhou. He enforced the law like a mountain, without selfishness, spoke uprightly, and was not afraid of the powerful. He even dared to criticize the emperor of the dynasty for "acting out of love" and "disloyalty."
Liu Zhiji had two brothers, the eldest brother Zhirou and the middle brother Zhizhang. Zhirou was "simple and quiet in nature, with beautiful demeanor". Like Zhiji, he was famous for his good writing and good governance. Lei moved to the Ministry of Industry, the guest of the prince, and was granted the title of male from Pengcheng County. According to Li Yong's "Liu Zhirou Shinto Monument": "On the 15th of June in the 11th year of Kaiyuan, he died of illness in his private residence in Kangsuli, the eastern capital." According to this inference, Zhirou should be born. In the 23rd year of Zhenguan (649), he was twelve years older than Zhiji. Li Yong praised Zhirou's ancestors for "all of them were loyal, chaste and bright in simplicity, excellent in their professions and outstanding in political principles", and praised Zhirou as "who has been well-established in his years, and his classics are a sea; Yiwen is a forest, and Zhongzhong is a forest." The mountains are quiet and quiet, and they talk about things in a clear way, and their words are profound.
Zhiji was born in the first year of Longshuo (661), the first year of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. In that year, his father was fifty-four and Zhirou was ten-three. He grew up in an official family and a scholarly family with "the history of drums and springs, the pillars of the state". The influence of the whole family atmosphere gave Liu Zhiji a good cultural education in his childhood.
Among Zhiji’s ancestors, those who had a lot to do with history were his grandfather Liu Yinzhi and his father Liu Yanyou. Both his father and brother were well-known for their poetry studies. At that time, Liu Zhi was influenced by his father and brother Dai, and he was good at writing, which laid a solid foundation for his lifelong academic career.
Zhi Jisu was good at history, perhaps influenced by his ancestors and father, and more importantly, his personal interests. His father was able to follow his nature and adopt the method of "teaching students in accordance with their aptitude", which mobilized Liu Zhiji's enthusiasm for studying enabled him to successfully embark on the path of history.
Youth Study
Regarding Liu Zhiji’s study and life as a teenager, Liu Zhiji recorded it in "Shi Tong". "Autobiography" says: I was taught court training at an early age and started to explore literature at an early age. When he was in Wanqi, he received "Guwen Shangshu". The words used in each poem are difficult to read satirically. Although he was beaten and beaten many times, his career failed. I once heard that my master was teaching "The Biography of the Zuo Family in the Spring and Autumn Period" to his brothers, and he would listen to it every time without reading the "Book". After catching the lecture, I will explain it to the brothers. Because he sighed and said: "If all the books were like this, I would no longer be lazy." The ancestor was curious about its meaning, so he began to teach "Zuo Shi" and finished the lectures and recitations every year. So he was only twelve years old. Although what he said cannot be understood in depth, it is a summary of the general meaning. Father and brother want to make Bo Guan Yi Shu and master this sutra. After saying goodbye to Lin, I didn't see what happened. I begged to watch the rest of the group and hear more about it. Then he read "History", "Han" and "Three Kingdoms". Since I want to know the history of ancient and modern times and learn from each other, I will observe the analogy and not imitate the teacher's teachings.
Since the rise of Han Zhongxing has fallen, up to the royal records, there are seven years out of ten, and a brief glimpse of the Zhou Dynasty. Most of what he read was due to forgeries. Although some parts were incomplete, some chapters were left behind. As for the outline of the narrative and the outline of the story, he also had a rough understanding of it. But at that time, I would like to advance my career as an official, and I would also like to study and figure things out. As for concentrating on history, I have no time.
Liu Zhiji's "Autobiography" describes his study life before the age of twenty in quite detail. Liu Zhiji read "Zuo Zhuan" from the age of eleven, then read "History", "Han", "Three Kingdoms", and then read "Since the rise of Han Zhongzhong, up to the imperial records", he did not just read one history and one volume , but "see by analogy", and at the age of seventeen, "take a glimpse of the world". "Sui Shu·Jing Ji Zhi" records 817 books in the history department and 13,264 volumes. If you know how many books there are, the number is really not small. In terms of half, it is quite impressive.
Liu Zhiji took his own academic path. He did not follow the path of "refining this sutra", "after saying that he had obtained Lin, he had not seen what happened, so he begged to observe the rest and spread his knowledge." He read ancient and modern historical books with the purpose of understanding "the evolution of ancient and modern times, and the succession". He "observed by analogy and did not imitate the teachings of teachers". From what he read, he had a rough understanding of "the outline of the narrative and the outline of the statement." The purpose and method of this kind of scholarship are contrary to the commentarianism of classics. In order to understand the changes in ancient and modern times, the method of "understanding the changes in ancient and modern times" is adopted.
"Don't fake teacher's training" and take the path of independent research. The first manifestation of this is that he does not blindly believe in teacher's training, but also shows some suspicion and critical spirit towards teacher's training and adult theory. He said in his "Autobiography": "I have been reading books since I was a child, and I like to talk about theory and theory. What I understand is all in my mind, and it is not just a matter of habit. So I started to read Ban and Xie's "Han" in Zongjiao. It is strange that the first book should not contain "Ancient and Modern People", and the later book should be a record of the change. Those who heard it at that time thought that the boy didn't know anything, so he was embarrassed and had no words to respond. Later, when I saw Zhang Heng and Fan Ye's collection, I thought that the two histories coincided with those of the ancients, and it was difficult to find out the similarities and differences between them. "Young man Liu said. Zhiji's questioning spirit is an important feature of his academic style. Liu Zhiji read extensively in his youth and accumulated profound knowledge integrating ancient and modern times, thus laying a lifelong intellectual foundation. This broad academic path is another characteristic of the young Liu Zhiji's academic research. As mentioned before, it was not easy for the young Liu Zhiji to "get a brief glimpse" of ancient and modern historical books before he was seventeen years old. In addition to classics and history, he also read a large number of literature books.
Although he has long been interested in history, he is also fond of poetry and poetry due to the influence of his family's traditional studies and the words and deeds of his father and brother.
He passed the imperial examination in the first year of Emperor Yonglong's reign (680). In the chapter "Shi Tong Disobedience", it is said: "The young servant has heard about poetry and etiquette, and has been involved in art and literature. As for the words of historical biographies, he is especially delighted." This generally reflects his learning process before being promoted to Jinshi. The combination of classics, history and literature laid the foundation for his lifelong scholarship.
Zhiji "became famous among his classmates" probably happened around the age of 20. He said: "When I was young, I liked poetry and poetry, but when I was strong, I didn't do it. I was ashamed to be named a scribe, and I expected to call myself a narrator." "Yu Chu was good at writing and was well-known at that time. He talked about history and biographies late in the evening, so he reduced the price to his confidant." Combined with the words "The servant has heard about poetry and etiquette since he was a child, and has been involved in art and literature. As for the words of history and biographies, he is particularly pleased." It can be seen that Zhiji pursued literature and history as a teenager.
"Shi Tong·Autobiography" also revealed that before the imperial examination, he had "no time" to "concentrate on history", but after "shooting plans and ascending to the court", he "had more time to think, and his original wish was fulfilled. He traveled to Beijing and Luo for a long time, borrowed books both public and private, and read them as much as he wanted." This shows that Zhiji received a good education in his childhood. He fell in love with history very early in his family education and established his philosophy of studying history and researching it. history’s wishes. Before the age of 20, due to the influence of his father and brother, he also loved poetry and articles, which was quite praised by the world. Since entering the official career, he has concentrated on the career of history.
Entering the official career
Liu Zhiji entered the official career after he was twenty years old. As his knowledge increased, he gradually formed his own views on history. After Zhiji passed the imperial examination and passed the official examination, he was awarded the title of chief registrar of Huojia County (today's Huojia County, Henan Province). This is a junior official of the ninth rank, responsible for the documents of a county, and the head of the county government staff. In his free time from official duties, Zhiji still devotes himself to tomb classics, reading hundreds of classics and history, and reading miscellaneous notes and small books. At that time, Chang'an, the capital, and Luoyang, the eastern capital, were naturally the two major economic, political and cultural centers of gravity. Huojia County was close to the two capitals, so I could visit Beijing and Luoyang and browse the public and private collections. From the time he entered the official position in the first year of Yonglong (680) to the second year of the Holy Calendar (699) when he was transferred to Kyoto, in the past twenty years, Zhiji spent his free time reading public history. In fact, it was twenty years of studying and studying history. Year.
When Liu Zhiji entered the official career, it coincided with Wu Zetian's involvement in politics as the queen. She is the de facto ruler. By the last period of Wu Zetian's reign, after Tianshou (690-692), social and political tensions gradually eased.
In the early years of Tianshou, the Wu family was eager to cultivate social forces that supported her, gain the support of scholars, and win the hearts of the world. Therefore, she "searched for seclusion" and for a time, officials became redundant. In December of the second year of Tianshou (691), Liu Zhiji, with his upright attitude and keen political vision, wrote a letter asking to eliminate the officials who were in the dead position. In the same year, Zhiji wrote another letter suggesting that "the governor must not be transferred to an official position unless he is three years old or above."
In the first year of Zhengsheng (695), Liu Zhiji put forward the idea of ??"limited pardon" in view of the shortcomings of excessive pardon at that time.
Liu Zhiji stated four things, involving issues such as the social role of officials, selection standards, management and use methods, etc., and focused on criticizing corruption phenomena such as arbitrary teaching and arbitrary implementation in real politics. .
It was during this period that Liu Zhiji wrote a piece called "Si Shen Fu". This poem not only reveals Liu Zhiji's talent, but also expresses his depression, especially his ambition that was painful after calm thinking under depression. With his erudite knowledge and outstanding talents, he was naturally overqualified to serve as the ninth-level chief register. Moreover, he had not been promoted for fifteen years from the time when he entered the officialdom at the age of weak to the time when he wrote "Sishen Fu". He felt that his career prospects were bleak. "Be cautious" can only be a struggle against reality. In the political arena of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Liu Zhiji was an official, but he did not become a politician because society did not provide him with opportunities. Only in this way, his energy was concentrated on his academic career.
Encounters with the History Museum
In the second year of Empress Wu’s holy calendar (699), thirty-eight-year-old Liu Zhiji was transferred to the capital Dingwangfu after serving as the chief registrar of Huojia County for nineteen years. Kurasao. There are two factors at play in this transfer. First, at this time Liu Zhiji was already a well-known scholar throughout the country. As a teenager, he was already well-known for his literature, and his talent was demonstrated by his many appearances as chief registrar. Secondly, Tianzhao compiled the "Three Teachings Zhu Ying", thinking that Liu Zhiji was a personal choice. According to the "Old Book of Tang·Biography of Xu Jian": "Jian also practiced "Sanjiao Zhuying" with Xu Yanbo in Gishizhong, Cao Liu Zhiji in Dingwangfucang, and Zhang Shuo in Youbuque." This was in the second year of the Holy Calendar (699).
"Sanjiao Zhuying" was completed in 1,300 volumes in the first year of Chang'an (701). In the following year, Zhiji served as Zuo Lang. He was forty-two years old. As he himself said: "In the second year of Chang'an, I wrote Zuolang and compiled the history of the country, searched for the history of Zuo, and wrote notes on daily life under his sect." From then on, his career as a historian began. The author assistant is a position in the author bureau. The Publishing Bureau has a Zuo Lang and a Zuo Lang. There are six Zuo Langs, ranking from the sixth grade. Since Liu Zhiji entered the history museum, he has faced numerous insurmountable contradictions. Liu Zhiji looked back on his past history compilation in the History Museum in "Shi Tong·Autobiography", and said with emotion: "In Chang'an, I was ordered to prepare the "History of the Tang Dynasty". Now that I have ascended the throne, I was also ordered to compile "Zetian". "Records of the Great Sage Queen" were written in an attempt to carry out the original meaning, but the scholars and supervisors at that time were always in conflict with them, so they were inconsistent with the common sense. . Although he claimed to be obedient, Judah was jealous of the historians."
From the second year of Chang'an (702) to the fourth year of Zhongzong Jinglong (710), Liu Zhiji entered the history museum. "The third is a historical minister, and then he enters Dongguan." "In the second year of Chang'an, he wrote Zuolang and compiled the history of the country. He searched for the history of Zuo and wrote notes on daily life under his sect." One of them was a historian, and the other entered Dongguan (Historical Museum). After Zhongzong ascended the throne, "except for Zuo Lang, Prince Zhongyun, and Shui Gengling, they also studied history as before." These are the two historians. Not long after Zhongzong returned to the capital, "Yi Zheng came to the capital, specializing in historical affairs, and was still moved to the secretary's post." This was the third time he was a historian, and then he entered Dongguan. In these years, he participated in the revision of "History of the Tang Dynasty" and re-editing of "Zetian Shilu". However, compiling history did not bring much help to Liu Zhiji's pursuit of fame.
The minister Zong Chuke and the minister Xiao Zhizhong also supervised the compilation of the history of the country. Later, the historian Prince Yun Liu Zhiji had many supervisors, which was a great disadvantage, so he asked to be dismissed from the post of historian and wrote a memorial to Xiao Zhizhong. "< /p>
After Liu Zhiji resigned from his post as historian, he served as Prince Zhongsheren and also became a bachelor of Xiuwenguan.
Privately writing "Shitong"
In the second year of Chang'an, he began to privately write "Shitong", discussing in detail the style and content of historical books, and expounding his own views on history. It was China's first historical commentary A monograph that had a great influence on later generations. But no major effort was put into it. In the fourth year of his stay in Chang'an (704), he wrote fifteen volumes of "Liu Family History" and three volumes of "Pu Kao". In the second year of Shenlong (706), Zhongzong returned to the capital and Zhiji stayed in the eastern capital.
"Shi Tong Disobedience" reviewed the scene at that time: "The emperor returned to the capital, and the court was willing to follow. I asked for it several times. I set off after the great drive, but because I couldn't stay, I guarded the Eastern Capital. Du Men was swept away, and Fan After three years, there may be people who are willing to serve as historical ministers, and instead of writing about state affairs, they take Leqiu Garden to write privately. "To the capital" in the second year of Jinglong (708), from the first year of Shenlong to the second year of Jinglong, Zhiji "one was Zhongyun and would not move at the age of four", but he "guarded the eastern capital of Si, but Dumen swept away, and Fan Jingsan "Zai" must be the three years when he concentrated on writing "Shi Tong". Some people say that he was a minister of history and did not write about state affairs, but wrote privately, which refers to the writing of "Shi Tong". In the second year of Jinglong's reign (708), Zhiji was summoned to the capital by a post office, where he specialized in historical affairs and was moved to the position of secretary-supervisor. It was at this time that he proposed to retire from his post as historian. In fact, he had concentrated on writing "Shi Tong" for at least three years. By February of the fourth year of Jinglong (710), the whole book was completed, with twenty volumes.
Writings and Heirlooms
In the first year of Jingyun (710), Liu Zhiji moved to the crown prince Zuo Shuzi, and was also a bachelor of Chongwen Hall. Still studying national history, he was added as Doctor Yin Qingguanglu. The prince Zuo Shuzi is the official of the East Palace. There is Zuo Chunfang in the East Palace, and two Zuo Shuzi are placed in the fourth rank. The attendants in the palm of the hand praise the prime minister, refute the correctness and start the performance. There are six bureaus of the General Department: Jing, Dianshan, Medicine Store, Neizhi, Dianshe, and Gongmen. Chongwen Pavilion was also set up in the East Palace. In the thirteenth year of Zhenguan, Chongxian Pavilion was built. In the second year of Shangyuan Dynasty, it was renamed Chongwen Pavilion to avoid the name of the prince. There are two bachelors from Chongwen Hall, who are in charge of classics and books, teach students, and send exams to Hongwen Hall. The title of Doctor Yinqing Guanglu is equivalent to the third rank in official rank. In this year, Li Longji was established as the Prince of the East Palace. Because Liu Zhiji's "ji" has the same pronunciation as Li Longji's "ji", in order to avoid the taboo of the prince's name, Zhiji abandoned his name and used the word "Liu Zixuan", so he called him Liu Zixuan. From the above situation, it can be seen that Zhiji was promoted when Xuanzong was the prince and became politically active. In the second year of Jingyun (711), Liu Zhiji wrote an article "Shi Meng", and the crown prince Li Longji personally laid the foundation for Shi Meng in Chinese studies. The competent department drafted the rites and decided to have all the accompanying officials ride horses and wear clothes. Liu Zhiji thought that No, the superior refutes it.
In the first year of Xuanzong's Xiantian year (712), Liu Zhiji was ordered by Liu Chong and others to revise the "Chronicles of the Clan". In the second year of Kaiyuan, Liu Zhiji and others published two hundred volumes of "Surname and Clan System Records", and were later promoted to the rank of regular attendant of Sanqi.
In November of the fourth year of Kaiyuan (716), Liu Zhiji and his friend Wu Jing compiled a record of the three dynasties of Ruizong, Zetian, and Zhongzong, and submitted it to the government, asking for help and reward. This is Zhiji's most effective compilation of national history and historical records. Among them, there are twenty volumes of "Records of Ruizong", thirty volumes of "Records of Zetian", and twenty volumes of "Records of Zhongzong". Liu Zhiji collaborated with Wu Jing to major in the seventy volumes of Records of the Three Dynasties, which was another major contribution he made to history after he compiled "Shi Tong". In addition to the above-mentioned co-editing of the Records of the Three Dynasties with Wu Jing, he also independently edited the "Records of Ruizong" and "Records of the Supreme Emperor". There is also "Records of Emperor Gaozong's Later Revisions" co-edited with Wu Jing. In this way, Liu Zhiji actually participated in the revision of the records of the four dynasties of Gaozong, Empress Wu, Zhongzong, and Ruizhong. The Records of the Four Dynasties preserve a large amount of historical materials from the early Tang Dynasty. The "Old Book of Tang" is mostly copied from the historical materials of the Tang Dynasty, including the "Book of Tang" and the Records of each dynasty written by Wu Jing, Wei Shu and others. Liu Zhiji made a great contribution to the detailed recording of official historical materials of the early Tang Dynasty. Judging from his achievements in this area alone, Liu Zhiji is worthy of being a competent historian. The imperial court rewarded his contribution in compiling history and named him "Zi of Juchao County", which fulfilled his long-cherished wish. In the seventh year of Kaiyuan, Liu Zhiji discussed "Laozi" and "Comments on the Classic of Filial Piety" Chronology of Characters
In 661 AD, Liu Zhiji was born.
In the first year of Yonglong (680), Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, he was promoted to Jinshi. He was granted the title of Chief Registrar of Huaizhou Huojia and wrote many letters to express his opinions.
In the second year of the Holy Calendar (699), he appointed Cangcao of the palace and was ordered to compile "Three Teachings Zhuying" together with Li Qiao, Xu Yanbo, Xu Jian, Zhang Shuo and other leaders.
In the second year of Chang'an (702), he began to serve as a historian and wrote notes on daily life. He successively held the positions of Zuo Lang, Zuo Shi, Fengge Sheren, Secretary Shaojian, Prince Zuo Shuzi, and Zuo Sanqi Changshi. , and also majored in national history.
In the third year of Chang'an (704), he and Li Qiao and others compiled the history of the Tang Dynasty, forming 80 volumes of "Book of Tang". He once explored the history of his family and wrote "Liu Family History" and "Liu Family Genealogy".
In the second year of Shenlong (706), he completed "Zetian Shili" with Xu Jian, Wu Jing and others.
In the second year of Jinglong (708), he resigned from his position as historian and began to write "Shi Tong" privately, discussing in detail the style and content of historical books, and expounding his own views on history. The book was written in the fourth year of Jinglong.
In the second year of Kaiyuan (714), he moved to the left to serve as a regular servant. Academic Thoughts
Liu Zhiji believed that historians must have all three strengths: talent, learning, and knowledge, with particular emphasis on historical knowledge. Emphasis on straight writing, advocating "not covering up evil, not pretending to be beautiful", "knowing the ugliness when you love it, and knowing the good when you hate it". Liu Shang was pragmatic and opposed to floating poetry. He criticized the decadent trend of parallel prose in the Six Dynasties and opposed the flashy poetry. He advocated the use of contemporary common language and opposed the imitation of ancient Chinese and formal imitation. These arguments inspired and influenced later generations of essayists and were the forerunners of the ancient prose movement in the mid-Tang Dynasty.
Xu Guansan believes: "Liu Zhiji's lineage covers four books...but among them, Zuozhuan, Lunheng and Wenxin are particularly decisive." "Zuozhuan" Liu Zhiji, a beginner in history, admired him as the "Crown of Narrators" and established a living example of the principle of factual history, which influenced every line of "Shi Tong". "From the perspective of the great use and important tasks of history described in "Shi Tong". , it is even more obvious that Zhiji is a descendant of the "Zuo Zhuan" school" ("Exploring the Origin of Liu Zhiji's Historical Records", "Chinese Literature and History Series", 1982, Issue 2)
Xu Lingyun proposed that Liu Zhiji. Zhiji inherited the excellent historical tradition since Confucius and Sima Qian, inherited the fighting style of critical philosophy since Yang Xiong, Huan Tan, and Wang Chong, and also inherited the works of predecessors, especially Wang Chong's "Lunheng" and Liu Xie's "Wen Xindiao" "Dragon" was written in the form of "Shi Tong". Xu Wen focuses on the analysis of Sima Qian's thoughts on the work of "Spring and Autumn" and the path he created as a general historian, Wang Chong's pragmatic attitude and skeptical and critical spirit, Liu Xie's historical thoughts and the compilation form of "Wen Xin Diao Long" on Liu Zhiji Influence ("The Origin of Liu Zhiji's Academic Thoughts", "Qiyu Academic Journal", Issue 1, 1992). Fu Dingbo believes that Liu Zhiji's noble quality and courageous spirit of "historical knowledge" as "good is upright, good and evil must be recorded" are more clear and systematic than Mencius ("On the Origin of Liu Zhiji's Historiography", "Journal of Changde Teachers College" 1982 Issue 4).
Xie Baocheng pointed out that Liu Zhiji’s summary of the categories, origins and styles of historical works directly inherited and theorized the classification and preface of the history department of Sui Shu Jing Ji Ji ( "The Influence of Sui Shu Jing Ji Ji Zhi" on "Shi Tong", "Chinese History Research" Issue 4, 1983). Historical perspective
Realistic spirit
Li Qiuyuan's article "The Realistic Spirit of "Shi Tong"" ("Historical History Research" Issue 2, 1988) believes that Liu Zhiji's realistic spirit There are three manifestations: First, from the three aspects of the genre of history books, the style of history books and the language of history books, it is discussed that the compilation of history books must be "according to customs" and "at any time" in order to faithfully reflect the historical appearance. The second is to value straight writing and reject curved writing. The third is to believe in good luck in disasters and pay attention to personnel matters.
Dai Jihua's "Records of Liu Zhiji's Discussions" (Research on the History of Historiography, Issue 3, 1995) combines the politics of the early Tang Dynasty and the system of compilation of history in historical museums with Liu Zhiji's "Records" historiography. After an investigation, Liu Zhiji believed that for the first time in Chinese history, Liu Zhiji systematically discussed and summarized "real records" theoretically, and formed unique historical principles of real records. He included the relationship between history and real life, the social function of history, historiography and historiography, the knowledge structure of historians, and the selection of historical figures, articles and events by historians, historical comments and historiographic comments. A "principle" category, used to analyze and judge history books and historians. In particular, Liu Zhiji dared to sharply criticize Confucius, the "Yu Zhu" "Book of Jin" and some other "official histories" compiled by the Tang Dynasty, the "Tang History Biography" compiled by the History Museum, etc. The principle of "real records" is its solid foundation and starting point.
Comments on historical books
The two histories "History" and "Han" are representative works of ancient Chinese biographical history books. Liu Zhiji showed many contradictions in his evaluation of the two. In the 1980s, controversy arose over whether Liu "respected the class and restrained the horse". Liu Wenying said that Liu Zhiji often promoted biographical history and suppressed general history. Judging from the actual situation of compiling history books at that time, the Yima Yang class also makes sense ("The Historical Status of "Shi Tong"", "Literature, History and Philosophy", Issue 6, 1981).
Xu Lingyun's "Trial Comment on Errors in Liu Zhiji's Biography and History Commentary" ("Middle School History Teaching", Issue 5, 1983), "Discussion on Liu Zhiji's "Reduction of Horses and Yang Class"" ("Jianghan Forum", Issue 11, 1984) Issue) and "Liu Zhiji's Comments on the Style of Historical Discussions" ("Historical History Research" Issue 4, 1985) mainly believe that Liu Zhiji generally belittled Sima Qian and elevated Ban Gu.
Shi Ding believes that Liu Zhiji affirmed Sima Qian’s originality, record-keeping spirit and historical talent. Therefore, from a comprehensive perspective, Liu Zhiji divided "Historical Records" into two, pointing out the long and short, and focusing on the long ("On Liu Zhiji and Zhang Xuecheng's Comments on Sima Qian", "New Research on Sima Qian", Henan People's Press (first edition 1982). Jia Zhongwen pointed out: Regarding comments on the origin of chronicles and biographies, Liu Zhiji clearly advocated the ancestral "Han" stream of "History" and did not suppress the Ma Yang class. Regarding the commentaries on chronicles, biographies, and history, Liu simply lacked innovation and did not say that he was trying to restrain his horse. Regarding the comments on the "History" and "Han", although Liu criticized the "History" a lot and praised the "Han", he also praised the "Historical Records" a lot and criticized the "Hanshu". Therefore, it cannot be said to be "inhibiting the horse" Yang Ban" ("Shi Tong's "Re-discussion with Comrade Xu Lingyun", "Jianghan Forum" Issue 10, 1990).
"Three long theories of historical talent"
"Three long theories" refers to the knowledge structure of historians. Knowledge structure, as a reasonable and orderly combination of various kinds of knowledge, is one of the key conditions for whether historians can be competent in their research and historiography work, especially whether they can creatively promote the progress of history.
Xu Lingyun believes that Liu Zhiji’s discussion of the subjective consciousness of historians, that is, the cultivation of historians, is an important part of the systematic summary of history, and is also the soul and essence of his historical theory. Liu Zhiji's understanding of this is mainly reflected in the theoretical systems of "Three Talents in History" and "Calligraphy and Notes". The combination of the two constitutes Liu Zhiji's comprehensive requirements for the subject quality of historical understanding ("On Liu Zhiji's Subjective Consciousness as a Historian", "Confucius Studies" Issue 3, 1989).
There are different opinions on when the "Three Long Theory" was proposed and where it originated. Zheng Li believes that Liu Zhiji proposed the "Three Long Theory" in the third year of Chang'an (703 AD) ("A brief discussion of Liu Zhiji and his "History"", "New Construction" Issue 2, 1958). Regarding the "talent, learning, and knowledge" proposed by Liu Zhiji, the more common opinion is that they evolved from the ancient "literature, affairs, righteousness" and "meaning". The "Three Long Theory" is a summary of past historiography and a major development of ancient Chinese historiography theory. Liu Zhiji's poems and essays are full of clever calculations, and his divine plans are out of the temple. Two levels of cultural relics are prepared, and seven virtues and martial arts are achieved. Yang Yuan, the hunting chief of the school, stationed troops in Xiliu Camp. The general presented his victory and the city was overflowing with singing and dancing. ——Tang Dynasty·Liu Zhiji's "Yikun Temple Movement"
Yikun Temple Movement A clever plan to apply for the curtain, and a divine plan to come out of the temple. Two levels of cultural relics are prepared, and seven virtues and martial arts are achieved.
Yang Yuan, the school hunting chief, stationed troops in Xiliu Camp. The general presented his victory and the city was overflowing with singing and dancing.