Corrections of Histories

朱明镐Jun 2024

3.3

Word count: 46K words
Chapters: 8

Summary

(We, the compilers,) respectfully note: Shijiu in six juan, by Zhu Minggao of the Ming dynasty. Minggao, courtesy name Zhaoqi, was a native of Taicang. This work examines errors in the historiographical method of the various histories and contradictions in their recorded events, from the Sanguozhi down to the Yuanshi, each history forming one section. On the Yuanshi he refrains from much judgment, saying he follows Zheng Qiao's Tongzhi in not presuming to cut or alter the Tangshu; his Jin Shu and Wudai

Editor's review

Shijiu is a notebook-style work by Zhu Minggao of the Ming dynasty, examining errors in the historiographical style of successive histories and contradictions in their accounts, from the Sanguozhi down to the Yuanshi, with one section for each history. Its value lies not in narrating history itself but in showing how a Ming scholar read and questioned the official histories: which wording violated historiographical norms and which records contradicted one another are pointed out item by item. The author says he followed the example of Zheng Qiao's Tongzhi, and his reluctance to pass judgment on the Yuanshi reveals a cautious attitude. For today's readers, the book serves as a window into traditional methods of historical criticism and can train a skeptical eye when reading history. The threshold is relatively high; readers need some familiarity with the relevant official histories, or they will not grasp the point of the criticisms. It suits history enthusiasts for close comparative reading.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers of Chinese history and literature interested in traditional Chinese methods of historiographical criticism
Readers who have read some of the standard histories and want to learn how earlier scholars identified and corrected errors in historical works
History majors using it as a reference for historiography and source criticism
Readers who enjoy note-form (zhaji) scholarly writing and the experience of item-by-item analysis

Not a good fit for

Beginners who have not yet read the original texts of standard histories such as the Sanguozhi or Jinshu
Readers expecting a continuous historical narrative or popular history storytelling
Researchers seeking a systematic work of historiographical theory grounded in modern academic standards

Reading tips

Start with the section corresponding to the standard history you know best; it will be easier to understand what is being corrected.
Keep the original standard history text beside you while reading, checking each point the author raises about wording and recorded events.
There is no need to finish it in one sitting; read section by section alongside the histories and take notes as you go, building experience in source criticism.
Mark places where you doubt the author's judgment and weigh later scholarship before deciding, rather than following one authority blindly.

版权信息
提要
钦定四库全书史纠卷一
钦定四库全书史纠卷二
钦定四库全书史纠卷三
钦定四库全书史纠卷四
钦定四库全书史纠卷五
钦定四库全书史纠卷六

FAQ

Can I read this book without having read the original standard histories?

You can, but the gain will be limited. The book discusses the wording and records of specific histories item by item; without familiarity with the original texts and their contexts, it is hard to judge whether the problems the author identifies hold up. It is best to read at least one or two of the histories concerned, such as the Sanguozhi or Jinshu, and then read the corresponding section, which will make comprehension much smoother.

Does Shijiu mainly correct factual errors or problems of writing?

Both. According to the sources, the book examines 'errors of method (shufa) and contradictions in the records' across the histories, pointing out both inappropriate wording and conventions and inconsistencies in what is recorded. It is not a mere list of errata but a notebook work combining historiographical criticism with analysis of historical fact.

Why does the author 'decline to judge' the Yuanshi?

The sources record that the author, following Zheng Qiao's example in the Tongzhi of not daring to cut the Tangshu, took a cautious and reserved attitude toward the Yuanshi and did not pass much judgment on it. This reflects a kind of authorial restraint; readers may note how this attitude differs from his treatment of the other histories.

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About the author

朱明镐 Author

Zhu Minggao is an author about whom very little public information is available; all that is known is that one work, Shijiu (Correcting History), is attributed to him. The book is classified as a historical reader, and its title, "Correcting History," suggests that it deals with the examination and correction of historical accounts, possibly involving the verification and rectification of records found in existing histories, reflecting an approach that values evidence and textual criticism. Since his dates of birth and death, native place, identity, and life experiences cannot be confirmed, no more specific introduction to the man and his scholarship is possible, nor is it feasible to judge the book's circulation at the time or its later reception. On the available evidence, Zhu Minggao's name survives mainly through Shijiu; readers interested in traditional critical and corrective works on historiography may regard the book as a reference text, though its background and sources should be treated with caution.