Annals of Liao

田汝成Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) · ChinaJul 2024

3.3

Word count: 18K words
Chapters: 3

Summary

Liao Ji, in one fascicle, was written by Tian Rucheng of the Ming dynasty. Rucheng, courtesy name Shuhe, was a native of Qiantang; he received the jinshi degree in the bingxu year of the Jiajing reign and rose to Right Vice Commissioner of the Guangxi Provincial Administration Commission. He has a biography in the Ming Shi.

Editor's review

Liao Ji is a chronicle by Tian Rucheng of the Ming dynasty. Though only one fascicle long, it carries the Ming interest in and organization of historical matters concerning the Liao region. Tian Rucheng received the jinshi degree in the bingxu year of the Jiajing reign and served up to Right Vice Commissioner of the Guangxi Provincial Administration Commission; he has a biography in the Ming Shi, and his learning and official career give the book considerable credibility in its selection of sources and balance of narrative. The book can serve as an introductory clue for studying Ming-era Liao affairs and is also suitable for readers interested in northeast frontier history and Ming notes and miscellaneous histories. When reading, it should be understood within the Ming tradition of frontier writing; distinguish between hearsay and solid historical fact, and read it alongside his biography in the Ming Shi and similar Ming writings to discern his choices. This reprint or edition uses the Jinzhang Shuju printing as its base text, preserving the old layout and wording, and is also useful for textual study. Overall, it is a traditional historical work of modest length but high information density, best read closely rather than skimmed.

Who it's for

A good fit for

University teachers and students studying Ming northeast frontier history and records of Liao affairs
Literary and historical enthusiasts interested in Ming notes, miscellaneous histories, and source traditions
Librarians and textual scholars engaged in comparing reprinted editions of ancient books

Not a good fit for

General readers hoping for popular stories or a complete general history of the Liao
Beginners without classical Chinese reading ability who need vernacular translation and annotation
Researchers expecting systematic chronological tables and detailed textual annotation

Reading tips

Read Tian Rucheng's biography in the Ming Shi first to understand his career, then proceed to the main text to grasp the narrative stance.
Note personal names, place names, and events as you read, and cross-check against relevant sources on the Ming Liaodong.
Read alongside similar Ming records of Liao affairs, noting differences in selection of material and hearsay elements.

About the publisher

Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) China · Founded in 1901

Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) was a private publishing and distribution house in Shanghai during the late Qing and early Republican periods, issuing traditional works by lithographic printing. Judging from the 1,194 titles in the collection, its publishing focused on classical poetry, Eastern philosophy, historical reading, traditional Chinese medical texts, and canonical works, along with books on literary appreciation. Representative titles include the poetry and prose collections of Du Fu and Ouyang Xiu; historical works such as the Book of Han and Zizhi Tongjian; classical texts such as the Book of Documents and Mencius; and specialized and literary classics such as Treatise on Cold Damage and Li Sao. Its author resources cover major figures across the ages, including Du Fu, Ban Gu, Sima Guang, Zhang Zhongjing, Qu Yuan, Ouyang Xiu, and Tang Shenwei, reflecting the house's characteristic reliance on traditional scholarship and medical literature while serving general readers. Public information on its early history and operational details is limited, so no conjecture is offered here.

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FAQ

Is Liao Ji a book recording Liao-dynasty history?

No. It was written by Tian Rucheng of the Ming dynasty and is a Ming-era work on historical matters concerning the Liao region, not a dynastic history of the Liao. The "Liao" in the title refers to the region and related historical matters; it should not be confused with the Liao Shi, and its nature should be understood in the context of Ming frontier affairs.

Can someone without classical Chinese read this book?

The text is in classical Chinese. Although only one fascicle long, it involves Ming official institutions, place names, and historical events, so beginners will encounter obstacles reading it directly. It is advisable to acquire basic classical Chinese reading ability first, or use reference works and related research to aid understanding before approaching the original.

Is this book suitable for textual study?

It can serve as a reference. The book states that it was printed by Shanghai Jinzhang Shuju and preserves the old layout and wording, which has some value for understanding how modern publishing houses printed ancient books. For strict textual collation, however, other editions and bibliographic records should still be consulted; conclusions should not rest on this edition alone.

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About the author

田汝成 Author

Tian Rucheng was a Ming-dynasty man of letters. Publicly available information about his life and official career is limited, though several of his works have survived. His Xihu Youlan Zhiyu, a collection of notes, records anecdotes, local customs, and human affairs around West Lake in Hangzhou, possessing both historical and literary value. Xichao Leshi deals mainly with seasonal festivals and local customs in an elegant style. Yanjiao Jiwen and Liao Ji (also written as Liaojii) concern frontier observations and historical events, showing a broad range of subjects. His writings span literary appreciation, social studies, and classic works; his prose is concise and skilled in narrative, offering some reference value for understanding the social life and local culture of Jiangnan in the Ming dynasty.