Ancient Chinese, Volume One

This is the first of the four volumes of Ancient Chinese edited by Wang Li. The textbook originated in the 1959 reform of the ancient Chinese course at Peking University; after the 1961 national conference on the compilation plan for humanities textbooks in higher education, a writing team was formed from teachers at Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Renmin University of China, Nankai University, Lanzhou University, and other institutions, and from 1962 it was published volume by volume by Zhonghua Book Company, making it China's first systematic ancient Chinese textbook. The work pioneered a three-part arrangement of "selected texts, common words, and general discussions": the selected texts draw on the Zuo Commentary (Duke Zhuang of Zheng Defeats Duan at Yan, Duke Huan of Qi Attacks Chu, Gong Zhiqi Remonstrates Against Lending the Road, Zhu Zhiwu Withdraws the Army, Jian Shu Weeps Over the Army, Duke Ling of Jin Is Not a Proper Ruler, the Battle of An between Qi and Jin, Chu Returns Zhi Ying to Jin, Qi Xi Recommends a Worthy Man, Zichan Does Not Destroy the Village School), the Strategies of the Warring States (Feng Xuan Becomes a Guest of Lord Mengchang, Queen Wei of Zhao Questions the Envoy of Qi, Jiang Yi Answers King Xuan of Jing, Zhuang Xin Persuades King Xiang of Chu, Lu Zhonglian Refuses to Recognize Qin as Emperor, Chu Zhe Persuades the Queen Dowager of Zhao), the Analects, the Book of Rites, and the Mencius, with detailed annotations; the common words section is divided into four groups analyzing the original meanings, extended meanings, and usage of high-frequency ancient Chinese words; and the general discussions explain in turn how to use dictionaries and reference works, the similarities and differences between ancient and modern word meanings, monosyllabic and polysyllabic words, synonyms, the original and extended meanings of words, the structure of Chinese characters, ancient and modern forms, variant forms, and simplified and traditional characters, judgment sentences and the particle ye, narrative sentences and the particles yi and yan, negative sentences and negative words, interrogative sentences and interrogative words, and the flexible use of word classes, personal and demonstrative pronouns, and the particles zhe and suo. The book aims to cultivate the ability to read ancient books, combining experiential reading with systematic knowledge so that each unit forms a complete learning loop of "practice plus theory." This volume is the first in the series and covers the first four units.