Third Collection of Records from Official Service

戴肇辰Jun 2024

1.9

Word count: 10K words
Chapters: 25

Summary

Traditional Chinese culture and thought have a long history and are highly original, inventive and literary. Early thought forms are distinctive: religious theology, classical texts of Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and local customs and gazetteers are all profound and vast. This "Essence of Chinese Classics: Original Texts" series preserves the original appearance of the books and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers cultivate their character and subtly encounter the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

This book, together with Cong Gong Lu, belongs to the "Essence of Chinese Classics: Original Texts" series, with the same editorial orientation: preserving the original appearance of the books and focusing on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. Its reading value lies in presenting ancient texts in their native form, allowing readers, across the enormously wide range of religious theology, classical medical texts, military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools, and local customs and gazetteers, to perceive how traditional thought grew in different fields and echoed one another. Such compilations do not offer ready-made conclusions but place the materials before the reader, suiting those willing to read slowly, compare and take notes. Use it as a repository rather than a tutorial: first build a framework of categories, then read selected passages closely, and consult reference works diligently when encountering unfamiliar terms. Read alongside other volumes in the series, it also lets you observe how the same cultural theme is expressed differently across texts, which is helpful for cultivating a sense of documents.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with some ability in classical Chinese who want to broaden their view of original texts
Teachers and students who need original materials on traditional culture for teaching or writing
Slow readers who like making thematic excerpts and comparing formulations across categories
Self-learners curious about the conventions and thought forms of ancient texts

Not a good fit for

Beginners expecting vernacular translation and systematic explanation of every piece
Readers who want quick conclusions on a single topic and do not wish to read originals
Those who prefer modern prose or story-like reading and have no tolerance for classical conventions

Reading tips

Read the contents and preface first to clarify the distribution of categories, then make a reading plan by theme and session.
Read closely only one category at a time and write a three-to-five-line summary afterwards, so the wide range does not scatter your attention.
When encountering technical terms in religion, medicine or military strategy, consult reference works before continuing, to avoid accumulating misreadings.
Read the same theme alongside Cong Gong Lu to compare the two books' selections and formulations.

版权信息
从公三录序
从公三录
禀请提款作府义学经费由
琼州府义学章程
禀琼州建义学由
发除邪论札
严禁演唱土戏示
札十四属劝捐修辑府志札
采访示
广州设立讲堂示
禀广佛石龙等埠设立讲堂准于税项作正支销由
禀广州设立讲堂并义学由
讲生谕
严禁标贴长红示
严拏讼棍示
禁械斗示
禀请派拨员弁赴南番等县缉捕并议功赏条约由
饬各县严缉盗匪札
饬各县严惩蠹役札
琼山景贤宾兴记
广州设立讲堂记
国朝名文小题读本重刻序
羊城书院试艺序
重修广州府志序

FAQ

What is the difference between this book and Cong Gong Lu?

Both belong to the "Essence of Chinese Classics: Original Texts" series and share the same editorial principles, emphasizing preservation of the original appearance and transmission of traditional thought and culture. The available information does not specify differences in the actual selections; it is best to compare the actual contents to judge the emphasis of each, then decide which to read first or read them side by side.

Can I read it on my own without a teacher's guidance?

Yes, but you need a method. Build a framework from the contents first, read by theme in sessions, and use a classical Chinese dictionary and relevant annotated editions to overcome difficulties with characters and words. Do not force yourself to read straight through; treat it as a compilation to browse at any time and take brief notes as you read. Self-study is entirely feasible, but the pace should be slow rather than fast.

The content spans a great range; how can I read it without getting scattered?

The key is to establish a framework first and then go deeper. Survey the contents, keep in mind the categories of religion, medicine, military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, customs and gazetteers, then tackle one category at a time and write a summary before moving to the next. This preserves the breadth of the compilation without flipping about and gaining nothing.

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About the author

戴肇辰 Author

Dai Zhaochen is an author about whom very little biographical information is publicly available; records show only that four of his works survive: Qiuzhi Guanjian (Humble Views on Seeking Good Governance), Conggong Lu, Conggong Xulu, and Conggong Sanlu. Judging from these titles, his writing centers on governance and official practice and carries a clear practical, statecraft-oriented bent. Qiuzhi Guanjian appears to be notes or essays exploring the principles of good administration, while the Conggong series probably records observations, official documents, and reflections from a career in public service. In common cataloguing he is placed under culture and literary appreciation, suggesting that his writing combines record with commentary and is read chiefly as historical and literary material. Because his dates, birthplace, and career are unknown, a full biography cannot be reconstructed, and it would be inappropriate to speculate about his offices, teachers, or influence. Overall, Dai Zhaochen may be regarded as a traditional author who turned official experience and thoughts on governance into writing; his works offer useful texts for understanding the administrative realities and scholarly concerns of his time and merit further study as more historical sources come to light.