100 must-read books for college students

Chapter 27 The Tome of History as a Mirror
Chapter 26 A masterpiece that treats history as a mirror: "Zi Zhi Tong Jian"

Regarding Sima Guang's life, it can be summed up in this sentence: "Tong Jian" was compiled with painstaking efforts, and he was always against the new law.male
In 1066 Yuan, Sima Guang compiled the historical events from the Warring States period to the end of Qin Dynasty into eight volumes of "Tong Zhi", which was presented to Emperor Yingzong of Song Dynasty.Yingzong appreciated it very much and made him

He set up a bookstore, selected personnel, and then compiled the book "Stories of Monarchs and Ministers in Past Dynasties". In 1068, Yingzong died of illness and Shenzong came to the throne.he
To understand the successes and failures of the past dynasties, Sima Guang read "Tong Zhi" to Shenzong.Shenzong felt that this book "in view of the past, there are

Funding for governance", that is, it can use the rise and fall of past dynasties as a mirror to help govern the country, so the title of the book was changed to "Zi Zhi Tong Jian",
And also made a preface.

Luoyang has written a book for [-] years

Sima Guang (1019-1086), courtesy name Junshi, was born in Xia County, Shanzhou (now Xia County, Shanxi) in the Northern Song Dynasty.His father Sima Chi, official Ren Tianzhang
Illness (emperor's library) waiting system (emperor's advisor).Sima Chi was upright and clean, which had a profound influence on Sima Guang.
He praised Sima Guang as "a down-to-earth person".In the first year of Renzong Baoyuan (1038), Sima Guangzhong was a Jinshi, and served Renzong, Yingzong,

In the three dynasties of Shenzong, he served as the waiter and lecturer of Tianzhang Pavilion, the direct bachelor of Longtu Pavilion, the bachelor of Hanlin, and the imperial censor Zhongcheng.After Zhezong ascended the throne,

He served as Shangshu Zuo Pushe.

Why did Sima Guang devote his whole life to compiling this "Zi Zhi Tong Jian"?He saw that there was no more concise and complete
General history makes it difficult for those who study history; at the same time, it provides historical reference for feudal rulers.So he decided

Heart-to-heart compiling a book "Cut out the lengthy ones, give out the secrets, and focus on the ups and downs of the country, the survival of the people, goodness can be the law, evil can be the warning"
"("Jin Zi Zhi Tong Jian Table") history books.

"Tongjian" is a historical masterpiece compiled collectively. The editor-in-chief is Sima Guang, and the assistant editors are Liu Shu and Fan Zuyu, the sons of Sima Guang.
Sima Kang was in charge of proofreading the text.The book written by Sima Guang was originally called "Tong Zhi". After Shenzong ascended the throne, he changed "Tong Zhi" to
It is called "Zizhi Tongjian", which means "in view of the past, there is capital to govern the way".Since Sima Guang and Wang Anshi had different political views, they did not
Wanting to participate in politics, but specializing in book compilation, with the approval of Shenzong, the bookstore of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" was moved from Bianliang to
Luoyang.The writing by Sima Guang and others is divided into three steps: first, in chronological order, mark the items, cut and stick them in order, called
Making a catalog is the first step; the second step is to preliminarily sort out the historical materials compiled in the catalog, and after selection, decide to choose

, and amend it verbally.In case of any discrepancy between the years and months of the deeds, it is necessary to add textual research and explain the reasons for the choice as a note.

From this, the second draft was written, which is called the long edition; the third step was written by Sima Guang on the long edition, examining its similarities and differences, deleting its redundancy, and revising and embellishing it.
, finalized.

In the seventh year of Yuanfeng (1084), the masterpiece "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" edited by Sima Guang was finally completed.
Three years (before 400), down to the sixth year of Zhou Xiande (959) after the Five Dynasties, a total of 1362 years of history, divided into 294 volumes, a total of more than 300

In addition, there are 30 volumes in "Catalogue" and 30 volumes in "Kaoyi".It took a total of 19 years to compile this masterpiece. It is said that he

The materials and manuscripts they quoted filled two large rooms.The book was not completed, and Liu Shu, who wrote the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties part of the division of labor, was written by
Yu overworked and died.Liu Tun, who wrote the part of the Han Dynasty, was already 62 at this time.
Years old.Fan Zuyu, who wrote the part of the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties, was only 43 years old at this time, and he seemed to be prematurely aging.Sima Guang at this time
He is also 65 years old. Due to overwork, his temples are white and his teeth are falling out. In his words: "All my energy is spent on
This book is published, and I hope Your Majesty will learn from the past and learn from the present, and make every effort to cure it. "In December of this year, Sima Guang asked people to use brocade

Framed 10 exquisite boxes and carried them on chariots and horses. He, Liu Tun and Fan Zuyu
Escorted by others, starting from Luoyang, Xijing, day and night, sent to Bianliang, Tokyo, and presented "Zizhi Tongjian" to Song Shenzong.

Shenzong granted Sima Guang the title of Bachelor of Zizheng Palace.Sima Guang's health was damaged by compiling this book. When the book came out two years later, he had already

Passed away for more than a month.

For military records, "Tongjian" is also very prominent, and the description of the war is also very vivid.Any major battle, to the war

The cause, the analysis of the battle situation, the course of the war and its impact are all recorded in detail.Such as the Battle of Chibi, the Battle of Feishui, etc., are all

Outstanding illustration.

"Tongjian" also pays attention to the records on the economy, because land tax and taxation are the primary issues of the feudal economy.Therefore, it is to Shang Yang
There are records of reforms, the governance of Wenjing, and the land equalization system of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

In terms of culture, it is also recorded in "Tongjian". In terms of academic thought, it goes up to the five schools of Confucianism, Law, Ming, Yin and Yang, and vertical and horizontal in the pre-Qin period.

The representative figures and academic propositions, as well as the Huang-Lao thought in the early Han Dynasty, the exclusive Confucianism of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and the prevalence of metaphysics in the Wei and Jin Dynasties are all
There are records.There are also descriptions of the origin and development of Buddhism and Taoism, as well as the struggle between Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.Since the Western Han Dynasty
The development of Confucian classics, the collation of classics, the engraving of stone scriptures, the engraving and circulation of the Nine Classics, all have relatively systematic statements.to the famous

There are also records of scholars and their works.In terms of historiography, from the "Han Shu" to Shen Yue's "Song Shu" and the history editing system of the Tang Dynasty,

Both are recorded.In terms of science and technology, the most recorded are the calendars of the past dynasties.Others such as astronomy, geography, civil engineering (such as Qin
The Great Wall of the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an City and Luoyang City of the Sui and Tang Dynasties), water conservancy projects (the Grand Canal of the Sui Dynasty) are also reflected in the book.

"Tongjian" also has historical comments.One category is written by Sima Guang himself, and each article starts with "Chen Guang said";
The comments of the predecessors are selected, and the author's name is written at the beginning.Of course, the historical theories of predecessors selected by Sima Guang are all in line with his own

Viewpoints are mostly used to express his political thoughts.

"Tongjian" also has high historical value.Sima Guang compiled the book according to the imperial edict, and the royal Chongwen Academy, according to the "Song Renzong" compiled by Song Renzong

According to the records of Chongwen Zongmu, there are 30 volumes of books in total, which was the place with the largest collection of books in the country at that time. Sima Guang and his assistants

available for review.Song Shenzong rewarded Sima Guang with 2400 volumes of Yingdi old books.In Sima Guang's residence in Luoyang, "Five Books Gathered"

"Thousand volumes", and other co-cultivators also have their own collections. The materials collected by Sima Guang and others, except for the seventeen histories, are all preserved by the previous generation.
The history books that came here are all collected.For private collections, they also borrowed them in many ways. For example, Liu Shu once went to the bibliophile Song Min to ask for it.

At home, read orally and copy by hand.It can be seen that the materials collected in "Tong Jian" are very rich.Some people estimate that there are many books cited in "Tongjian"
There are more than 300 kinds.

Brilliant masterpieces learn from the past and learn from the present

In the history of our country, there were two famous historians, because they both had the surname Sima, so people called them "two Sima".just write

Sima Qian of "Historical Records", and Sima Guang of "Zizhi Tongjian" editor-in-chief.

"Zi Zhi Tong Jian" is not just a pure political history.Sima Guang wrote "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" to provide the monarch with historical
The purpose of providing ruling experience is the so-called "in view of the past, it is worthy of governance".History books have become reference books for politicians, "Zi Zhi Tong

Jian" is the most prominent representative.Hu Sansheng, a scholar at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, said: "If you are a ruler but don't know the "Tongjian", you want to govern but don't know the principle of self-government."
If you are a minister but do not know the "Tong Jian", then you will have no way to serve the emperor and no way to govern the people; if you are a son of man,

If you don't know the "Tong Jian", you will be humiliated first when you seek your own life, and you will not be able to do things well. "It can be seen that this book was very valued in ancient times.
.

"Tongjian" is an extremely important chronicle in our country. It not only provides ruling experience for the feudal ruling class, but also has
It has high historical value.For example, some of the materials cited in the book have been lost, so we have to rely on this book for preservation.It is rigorous in style throughout the book,

The context is clear, and the language is extremely concise.These have had a great impact on later historiography.From "Tong Jian"
After the discovery, the chronicle history book genre, which was once in decline, had to be revived and developed.Since Li Tao in the Southern Song Dynasty wrote "Continuing Zizhi
Long Compilation of Tongjian", Li Xinchuan wrote "Records of the Years Since Jianyan", until Xu Qianxue in the Qing Dynasty wrote "Zizhi Tongjian Houbian", Bi Yuan
The "Continued Zi Zhi Tong Jian" and Xia Xie's "Ming Tong Jian" all followed the rules created by Sima Guang.Not only that, by "Tongjian
"Derived from Yuan Shu's "Tongjian Jishi Benmo" and Zhu Xi's "Zizhi Tongjian Compendium", there are new chronicles and outlines
It became a popular genre of history books after the Southern Song Dynasty.Therefore, "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" edited by Sima Guang has always been well received by historians.
comment.

"Tongjian" also has its shortcomings and shortcomings.Due to Sima Guang's limitations of the times and classes, when dealing with peasant uprisings,

His stance and views are quite problematic.It refers to peasant uprisings of all dynasties as "thieves" or "bandits".In addition, there are also mistakes in style.

Where it should be, Hong Mai's "Rongzhai Essays" and Gu Yanwu's "Rizhilu" and other books have put forward this point.Such as the issue of the year number, in the feudal
In society, there are often several different year names in a year, and Sima Guang only adopts the latter year name, and does not mention the other year names at all.
It makes readers unable to know the year number before this, which brings inconvenience to reading.

"Zizhi Tongjian" is an important historical document in China. It is an important historical document in China.

It is the largest existing chronicle book in China. This book marks that the historiography of my country's feudal era has reached a new stage, giving
Later chronicles provide an example.The emperors, generals and ministers of all dynasties also attached great importance to the role of this "textbook on governing the country".

from here
Since Bu Huanghuang's masterpiece came out, 77 editions have been printed, which shows its great influence.Even today, apart from our

In addition to providing systematic historical materials for the study of feudal political history before the Five Dynasties, it also gives us a lot of benefits in the rise and fall of the past dynasties.

enlightenment.Mao Zedong, a great man of his generation, read "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" repeatedly, marking and commenting on it 17 times.

"Zi Zhi Tong Jian" had a huge impact on later historiography.First, the publication of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" promoted the
The rapid development of chronicle history books

, its imitation, supplementary, continuation, rewriting, annotations, reviews and other books emerge in endlessly.Second, the writing of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" made
The chronological history books are more mature, and the compilation method is perfect, which has set a model for later historians.Third, since modern times, a

A "Tong Jian Xue" shows its far-reaching influence.As Liang Qichao once said: "The structure of his book is magnificent, and the materials he draws are abundant.

Long, so far there is no one who can surpass it. "

(End of this chapter)