Classical Prose · LT502

Historical Narrative

Chronicles and biographical narratives blending factual depth with literary genius.

29works

5dynasties

12authors

Zhou

1046–256 BCE9 works
  1. Zuo Zhuan: Cao Gui on WarfareZuo QiumingThose who eat meat (high officials) are shallow and lack distant foresight. At the first drum battle spirit is roused; with the second it flags; with the third it is exhausted. When their spirit was spent while ours was overflowing, we conquered them.
  2. Zuo Zhuan: Zhu Zhiwu Persuades Qin to WithdrawZuo QiumingTo leap over another state to make a distant realm your border county—your Lordship knows how difficult that is. Why destroy Zheng merely to enrich your rival neighbor? The strengthening of your neighbor means the weakening of Qin. If you spare Zheng as your eastern host, supplying envoys with whatever they lack, it brings no harm to you.
  3. Zuo Zhuan: Earl of Zheng Overcomes Duan at YanZuo QiumingHe who commits many unjust deeds will surely bring about his own destruction; pray wait for it! Meeting within an underground tunnel, the joy was harmonious and warm.
  4. Guoyu: Duke of Shao Admonishes King Li Against Suppressing CriticismZuo QiumingStopping the mouths of the people is more dangerous than damming a flooded river: when river waters are blocked and burst through, casualties will be immense; the people are just the same. Therefore he who manages rivers dredges them to guide flow; he who governs people opens channels to let them speak.
  5. Zhan Guo Ce: Zou Ji Admonishes King of QiZou JiMinisters, officers, or commoners who point out my faults to my face shall receive highest reward; those who submit written memorials shall receive medium reward; those who voice criticism in public places reaching my ears shall receive lowest reward. Thus Qi conquered rivals inside its own court.
  6. Zhan Guo Ce: Tang Ju Fulfills His MissionWarring States StrategistsIf a valiant scholar must rage, it means two corpses lying dead, blood spilling five paces, and all under heaven wearing white mourning—today is that day! Drawing sword he leaped forward. King of Qin lost courage, knelt upright and apologized.
  7. Zhan Guo Ce: Feng Xuan as Guest of Lord MengchangWarring States StrategistsA crafty rabbit has three burrows, merely to escape death; now your Lordship has only one burrow, unable to sleep on a high pillow in peace. Pray allow me to dig another two burrows for you.
  8. Zhan Guo Ce: Lu Zhonglian Refuses to Honor Qin as EmperorLu ZhonglianWhat is esteemed in the scholars under heaven is resolving perils, untying difficulties, and settling disputes for others without accepting reward. If one accepts rewards, he is merely a merchant—Zhonglian cannot bear to be such.
  9. Strategies of the Warring States · Chu IV (Excerpt)Liu Xiang (comp.)To look to the hound after spotting the hare is not too late; to mend the pen after losing the sheep…

Han

202 BCE – 220 CE17 works
  1. Records of the Grand Historian: Basic Annals of Xiang Yu (Siege of Gaixia)Sima QianMy strength uprooted mountains, my spirit covered the world. But time favors me not, and Dapple gallops no more. When Dapple gallops no more, what can I do? Oh Yu, oh Yu, what fate awaits you!
  2. Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Assassins (Jing Ke Attempts on King of Qin)Sima QianThe wind howls bleak and the Yi River chills; once the warrior departs, he shall return no more!
  3. Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Lian Po and Lin XiangruSima QianXiangru judged that the King of Qin was deceitful and had no intention of giving up the cities, saying: 'If the cities are yielded, the jade stays; if not, permit me to return the jade intact to Zhao.'
  4. Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of the Marquis of HuaiyinSima QianDoes not the Art of War state: 'Plunge them into mortal danger and they will survive; put them on fatal ground and they will live'?
  5. Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Guan Zhong and Yan YingSima QianThose who gave me life are my parents; the one who truly knows me is Master Bao.
  6. Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Qu Yuan and Master JiaSima QianQu Ping grieved that the King was undiscerning, that slander blinded enlightenment, that wickedness harmed justice, and that rectitude was barred; thus in sorrow and deep meditation he composed Li Sao.
  7. Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of the Lord of Wei (Lord Xinling)Sima QianThe reason I allied myself with you through marriage was for your noble honor in rescuing others in distress. Now Handan faces surrender while Wei relief comes not—where is your honor in aiding the desperate!
  8. Records of the Grand Historian: Hereditary House of Chen SheSima QianHow could swallows and sparrows know the ambition of the great swan! Are kings, nobles, generals, and chancellors born of special blood?
  9. Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of General LiSima QianPeaches and plums speak not, yet beneath them paths naturally form. Though a humble saying, it illustrates profound truth.
  10. Records of the Grand Historian: Hereditary House of Marquis of LiuSima QianDevising strategies within the command tent to secure victory a thousand leagues away—that is the achievement of Master Zifang.
  11. Book of Han: Biography of Su WuBan GuHerding sheep clasping the imperial Han staff, holding it waking and sleeping until its yak-tail tassels wore bare; unyielding for nineteen years until his glorious return.
  12. Book of Han: Biography of Dongfang ShuoBan GuSubmerged within the mundane world, hermit at the Golden Horse Gate. One can achieve seclusion and self-preservation inside imperial palaces; why hide beneath thatched roofs in deep mountains!
  13. Book of Han: Biography of Zhang Qian (Opening the Western Regions)Ban GuZhang Qian broke virgin ground, opening the Western Regions for the first time—the monumental deeds of the Marquis of Bowang are inscribed forever in history.
  14. Records of the Grand Historian · The House of Goujian, King of Yue (Excerpt)Sima QianHe placed a gall bladder by his seat, looked up at it sitting or lying, and tasted it at every meal.
  15. Records of the Grand Historian · Biographies of Lord Pingyuan and Yu Qing (Excerpt)Sima QianAmong his retainers was one Mao Sui, who stepped forward and recommended himself to Lord Pingyuan.
  16. Records of the Grand Historian · Biography of Han Changru (Excerpt)Sima QianCan dead ashes never flare up again?
  17. Book of Han · Biography of Jia Yi (Excerpt)Ban GuWhen the front cart overturns, the cart behind takes warning.

Jin

265–4201 works
  1. Records of the Three Kingdoms · Book of Wu · Biography of Lü Meng (Excerpt)Chen ShouWhen a scholar has been away for three days, one should rub one's eyes and look at him anew.

Northern and Southern

420–5891 works
  1. Book of the Later Han · Biography of Ma Yuan (Excerpt)Fan YeA man of resolve should grow firmer in hardship and more vigorous in old age.

Qing

1636–19121 works
  1. Anecdotes of Duke Zuo ZhongyiFang BaoState affairs have deteriorated to such catastrophe; my old life is finished! If you recklessly risk your life and lose sight of the overarching cause, who will remain as the pillar to sustain the realm!