Prose · LT502

Historical Narrative

Chronicles and biographical narratives blending factual depth with literary genius.

56works

10dynasties

42authors

Zhou

5 works

1046–221 BCE

  1. Zuo TraditionZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Battle is a matter of courage: the first drum rouses it, the second weakens it, the third exhausts it.
  2. Discourses of the StatesZuo Qiuming (traditionally attributed)Stopping the people's mouths is more dangerous than damming a river.
  3. Strategies of the Warring StatesLiu Xiang (comp.)A man of honor dies for the one who truly knows him; a woman adorns herself for the one who delights in her.
  4. Spring and Autumn AnnalsConfucius (Kongzi) (traditionally attributed)First year, spring, the king's first month.
  5. Book of DocumentsAnonymous (records of court scribes of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou; traditionally edited by Confucius)Like a net held by its main cord, there is order and no confusion.

Jin

4 works

265–420

  1. Records of the Three KingdomsChen ShouHe may truly be called an extraordinary man, a hero surpassing his age.
  2. Collected Explanations of the Spring and Autumn Classic and the Zuo CommentaryDu YuJoining the years of the classic to the years of the commentary, grouping them by meaning, and explaining each in turn.
  3. Explanation of the Rules of the Spring and AutumnDu YuWhoever holds a state or a house must carefully distinguish the principal heir from secondary sons, so as to make clear the legitimate line.
  4. Records of the Lands South of Mount HuaChang QuFlood and drought obey men, and famine is unknown; there are no lean years, and the world calls it the Storehouse of Heaven.

Tang

14 works

618–907

  1. Book of JinFang Xuanling (comp.)We should join forces for the royal house and recover the Divine Land
  2. Book of SuiWei Zheng (comp.)Calamities sent by Heaven may still be avoided; calamities one brings on oneself cannot be escaped.
  3. Book of ZhouLinghu Defen (comp.)Su Chuo is truly a remarkable man; I shall entrust him with government.
  4. Veritable Record of ShunzongHan YuThe crown prince's duty is to attend at meals and ask after the emperor's health; it is not fitting for him to speak of outside affairs.
  5. Biography of the Tripitaka Master of the Great Ci'en Monastery of the Great TangHuiliBetter to die going west than to live returning east!
  6. The Eastern Expedition of the Great Preceptor of TangMahito Genkai (Omi no Mifune)Mountains and rivers are different lands, but wind and moon share one sky; we send these to the children of the Buddha, to form together the ties of a coming life.
  7. Six Statutes of the TangLi Longji (traditionally attributed)The Three Preceptors are officials of instruction; the Three Dukes are officials who discuss the Way.
  8. Book of LiangYao Silian (comp.)My state is like a golden bowl, without a single crack or flaw.
  9. Book of Northern QiLi Baiyao (comp.)From then on he had the ambition to set the whole realm in order.
  10. Book of ChenYao Silian (comp.)The hills and streams here are so fine that a king must arise from this place.
  11. Deeds of An LushanYao RunengThe one who will bring chaos to Youzhou is surely this barbarian.
  12. Biography of Wang Chengfu the PlastererHan YuThose who use their strength serve others; those who use their minds direct them.
  13. Biography of the Master BuilderLiu ZongyuanHas he set aside handicraft for the mind, and come to know what is essential to the whole?
  14. Account of the Conduct of Lord Dong, Posthumous Grand TutorHan YuGentle in spirit, he seemed unable to speak; yet when it mattered he was clear and quick.

Song

7 works

960–1279

  1. Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in GovernmentSima Guang (comp.)I have heard that among the duties of the Son of Heaven none is greater than ritual; within ritual nothing is greater than distinction of rank; within distinction nothing is greater than names.
  2. Old History of the Five DynastiesXue Juzheng (comp.)This is as easy as turning over one's hand.
  3. New Book of TangOuyang Xiu (comp.)Huang Chao rode in a golden carriage, his guards all in embroidered robes and fine headcloths.
  4. New History of the Five DynastiesOuyang Xiu (comp.)The pattern of rise and fall may be called the will of Heaven, but is it not also the work of men?
  5. Chronicle of the Buddhas and PatriarchsZhipanA general history of Buddhism on the model of the dynastic histories, in fifty-four juan.
  6. Biography of Master FangshanSu Shi He gave up carriage and cap and went about on foot, and no one in the hills knew who he was.
  7. Account of the Conduct of Lord Xie, Drafter in the Ministry of WarWang AnshiYet in daring to speak and keeping to himself, he stood firm as a strong man.

Yuan

4 works

1260–1368

  1. History of SongToqto'a (comp.)When civil officials do not love money and military officers do not grudge their lives, the realm will be at peace.
  2. The Secret History of the MongolsAnonymous (anonymous thirteenth-century Mongol court author; transcribed in Chinese characters and summarised in Chinese by the early Ming translators)When Taizu was born, he held in his right hand a clot of blood like a knucklebone.
  3. History of LiaoToqto'a (comp.)This girl will surely make a family flourish.
  4. History of JinToqto'a (comp.)No state in history has failed to fall, and the rulers of fallen states have often been taken captive... I shall not come to that.

Ming

7 works

1368–1644

  1. History of YuanSong Lian (comp.)The pears may have no owner, but has my heart no master?
  2. Biography of Xu WenchangYuan HongdaoThe grief of a hero who has lost his way and has no door to set foot in.
  3. Biography of Two Filial Sons of the Gui ClanGui YouguangGrown old and dying, the filial son never once spoke of what his stepmother had done.
  4. Biography of the Old Man of YunxiGui YouguangThe old man seems like a man who has lived a thousand years.
  5. Biography of the Chaste Widow TaoGui YouguangShe alone endured in silence to wait for the end of his mother's life.
  6. Biography of the Martyred Wife WangGui YouguangA lone woman, moved to resolve on her own death, whose sincerity reached the spirits.
  7. Biography of the Chaste Widow WeiGui YouguangAbove all she mourned her husband, and each time she wept it was with the deepest grief.

Qing

7 works

1636–1912

  1. Anecdotes of Duke Zuo ZhongyiFang BaoThe affairs of the state have rotted to this point. I, an old man, am finished; if you too make light of your life and lose sight of the great cause, who will be left to hold up the affairs of the realm?
  2. Biography of Tan SitongLiang QichaoIn every country reform has been achieved through bloodshed; in China we have not yet heard of anyone shedding blood for reform, and that is why the country does not prosper. If there must be one, let it begin with me, Sitong.
  3. History of MingZhang Tingyu (comp.)Those who speak of moving south should be beheaded. The capital is the root of the realm; once it is shaken, all is lost.
  4. Draft History of QingZhao Erxun (comp.)Where the hearts of the people turn, the will of Heaven can be known.
  5. Biography of Master White CloudFang BaoOfficials came and went on this mountain every day, never knowing such a man lived there.
  6. Biography of Two Chaste WomenFang BaoEven a sage in their place could have found no better way.
  7. A Brief Account of Lady ZhangLiu DakuiWhen you are grown, you must never forget Lady Zhang.