(Western Han Dynasty historian and essayist)

Sima Qian (former145-no textual research) was born in xia yang (now south of Hancheng, Shaanxi). Historians and essayists in the Western Han Dynasty. Sima Tan's son, Ren Taishiling, was imprisoned for defending Li Ling's defeat and surrender, and later served as the secretariat. He worked hard to complete the historical records he wrote, and was called Shi Qian, Tai Shigong and the father of history by the later Buddha.

Sima Qian studied under Kong Anguo and Dong Zhongshu in his early years, roaming around, learning about customs and collecting rumors. As a first-time doctor, he served in the southwest. In the third year of Yuanfeng (108), he was appointed as the Taishiling, inherited his father's business and wrote history. He created China's first biography and general history book (formerly known as Taishi Gongshu) with the historical knowledge of "studying the relationship between man and nature, understanding the changes from ancient times to modern times, and making a family statement". It is recognized as a model of China's history books, which records more than 3,000 years' history from the legendary period of the Yellow Emperor to the first year of the founding of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. It is the first of the "twenty-five histories" and is praised by Lu Xun as "a historian's swan song, and Li Sao has no rhyme".

The life of the character

Early experience

Sima Qian was born in a well-off family in Longmen, Yellow River during the period of Wang and Wu in the Western Han Dynasty (unknown time). ? Sima Qian's grandfather Sima Xi, under the policy that Emperor China had the title of chestnut rice, exchanged 4,000 chestnut rice for the title of nine and five people. As real minions, the whole family had to be forced to serve.

Young Sima Qian studied calligraphy under the guidance of his father Sima Tan. At the age of ten, he was able to read and recite China's ancient prose Shangshu, Zuozhuan, Guoyu and Jieben? Waiting for books. In the first year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Sima Tan took Chang 'an, the capital of the Han Dynasty, as the official post, while Sima Qian stayed in Longmen, his hometown, studying hard and continuing his agriculture, reading and animal husbandry. ?

Learn to travel around the world

When he was a little older, Sima Qian left his hometown Longmen and went to his father in the capital Chang 'an. At this time, Sima Qian had heard about it, and Sima Tan instructed Sima Qian to visit rivers and mountains all over the world to collect old news and let it go. Go to Sima Qian and start traveling around the world at the age of twenty? He started from Chang 'an, the capital, to the southeast, and went to Wan via Wuguan. Go south to Xiangfan to Jiangling. Cross the river, return to Xiangxi, and then turn southeast to Jiuyi Mountain. After nine doubts, I went north to Changsha, went to Laoluo Quyuan to mourn, crossed Dongting, went out of the Yangtze River and went downstream to the east. Lushan Mountain, Yu Shu Jiujiang, moved to Qiantang Exhibition. Go to a meeting to discuss Yu's point of view. Back to the Shen Jun Palace, which is at stake in the spring. Go to Gusu to see the five lakes. Later, he crossed the great river in the north and Huaiyin, and went to Linzi and Qufu to inspect Qilu regional culture and observe the legacy left by Confucius. He was trapped in Pu, Xue and Pengcheng, and then went along the Chu-Han battlefield, the hometown where historical figures surged in the Qin and Han Dynasties, passing through Pengcheng, Feng, Ying, Suiyang and Liang (now Kaifeng, Henan).

Go back to North Korea to be an official

Because of his father Sima Tan, Sima Qian can still be a doctor after returning to Beijing? .

In the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu Ding Yuan (1 1 1), Chi Yihou ordered the southwest barbarians to be pacified, and the corps commander Guo Chang and Wei Guang led eight captains' soldiers to attack Galand and raze the southern barbarians. Yelang was frightened and came uninvited. The Han army also punished Joan and killed Hou Yu. Ran is really scared. Let me set up an official. Later, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty established Wudu, Zhang Ke, Yuegu, Li Shen and Wenshan counties in southwest Yi. At this time, Sima Qian, who accompanied Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in his eastward expedition, went down to the southwest again and was sent to the south of Bashu to plan the construction of a new county. Later, he settled in Qionglai, Tashi and Kunming, and returned to Emperor Wu the next year. .

Father's decree

In the spring of the first year of Yuanfeng (1 10 BC), Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty returned from his east tour of the Bohai Sea and held a meditation ceremony in Taishan. [25]? Sima Tan, an official who participated in the ceremony, stayed in Nan Zhou (now Hubei) because of illness, so he could not move on and his condition became worse. Sima Qian, who was appointed to the Western Expedition, immediately rushed to Mount Tai to attend the Zen ceremony. When he went to Luoyang, he met his dying father.

On his deathbed, Sima Tan said to Sima Qian, "Our ancestors were the masters of the Zhou Dynasty. As far back as Yu Xia in the ancient Yu Shun era, he was already famous and was in charge of astronomical work. Then it declined. Do you want to destroy it with me? If you continue to be a teacher, you can continue the work of our ancestors. Now the son of heaven has come to Mount Tai to worship Zen, and I am not allowed to follow suit. This is destiny takes a hand! After I die, you will definitely be a teacher; Don't forget the paper I want to write after I finish Taishi. Moreover, filial piety begins with serving parents, and only after serving the monarch in the middle can it finally gain a foothold in society, make a name for itself in later generations and show off its parents. This is the most important filial piety. The world praises the Duke of Zhou, that is to say, he can praise the merits and demerits of He, publicize the rogue of Zhou and Zhao, make people understand the thoughts of Zhou and Ji Wang, and the achievements of Gong Liu, so that the ancestor Hou Ji can be respected. After Li, the kingly way declined, and the rites and music were corrupted. Confucius studied and sorted out old documents and classics in order to revitalize the abandoned kingly way and rites and music. Today, scholars still take this as a criterion. It has been more than 400 years since Lu Aigong was acquired. During this period, due to the merger and melee of warlords, the historical books were scattered and the records were interrupted. Now, with the rise of the Han Dynasty, the unification of the sea, and the deeds of wise monarchs and loyal ministers, as an official, I refuse to comment and record, interrupting the historical documents of the country. I feel very uneasy about this, you should keep it in mind! " Sima Qian bowed his head and said with tears, "Although the child is not smart, he must complete all his father's plans for compiling history and dare not leave any gaps."

Ancient and modern sages in private schools

Sima Qian was able to get to know the talents gathered in Chang 'an because of his position in Chang 'an and the prosperity of Hanwu. ? Including Jia Yi's grandson, Gongsun Jigong (or Gong), Fan Kuai's grandson Taguang, your son Zhu Jian, Feng Tang's son Feng Sui, your youngest son, Liang Sui, and Su Zhe, etc. ? But Dong Zhongshu and Kong Anguo had the greatest influence on Sima Qian.

When discussing literature with Shang Dafu and Hu Ai, Sima Qian once said: "I heard Dong Sheng say,' The king of the Zhou Dynasty declined, and Confucius was the commander in chief of the state of Lu, which was harmed by his ministers and blocked by Dr. Qing. Knowing that his opinions were not adopted and his political ideas could not be put into practice, Confucius took the rights and wrongs of 242 years as the standard to judge the right and wrong of the world, belittling unscrupulous kings, reprimanding wrong kings and denouncing chaotic doctors, just to make the country's political affairs accessible. "Looking at Historical Records, the influence of Dong Zhongshu's Gongyangxue on Sima Qian is mainly manifested in the following aspects: First, the Gongyangjia advocated the Tang-Wu Revolution and advocated that there is no dead end, which became the ideological basis of anti-tyranny in Historical Records; Secondly, "respecting the king and rejecting foreign countries" advocated "great unification" as the main concept throughout the book Historical Records; Thirdly, the righteousness of the ram family to respect honesty and shame is the moral standard to praise and criticize historical figures in Historical Records.

Because Kong Anguo is a descendant of Confucius, he has more than ten books "History of Ancient Literature" at home, and he is also familiar with ancient and modern literature. Therefore, Sima Qian also tried to consult Kong Anguo about the history of China's ancient classics, learn the ancient teachings of China's ancient classics, and choose the ancient documents of China's ancient materials to master the method of textual research on history. As the core of the whole ancient literature, China's ancient classic history was also quoted by Sima Qian in The History of Three Dynasties in Ancient Times.

Sima Qian once sent a message to Confucius in Historical Records Confucius Family: "The mountain rises and the scenery stops." Highly praised. ? It also absorbed the essence of Confucius' theory and the Six Arts Classics, imitated the spirit of Confucius, and made a history book after the Spring and Autumn Annals, completing a grand ceremony.

Discuss changing the calendar

The first year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (104 BC) has been 102 years since the establishment of the Han Dynasty. At the beginning of the establishment of the Han dynasty, everything was ready, and most of them followed the production of the Qin dynasty. The calendar uses a closer Zhuan Xu calendar. Nevertheless, the calculation of the new moon and the new moon in the Zhuan Xu calendar is different from the actual situation. ? So Sima Qian, Dr. Gong Sunqing and Hu Sui, who were then Taishiling, advised Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "The Zhuan Xu calendar is no longer suitable for the present situation, and it is time to customize the calendar." . However, Erkuan, an imperial doctor, just knew the classics, so Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ordered Erkuan to consult with other doctors about revising the calendar. In the same year, he ordered Gong, Hu Sui, Sima Qian, Assistant Minister Zun, Dadian Hangshe and others to discuss customization.

Suffer from corruption

In the second year of the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (the first 99 years), Emperor Wu asked Li Ling to escort Li Guangli, the general of the Second Division who attacked Xiongnu right Wang Xian in Jiuquan. Li Ling declined and invited 5,000 foot soldiers to ride alone to the court. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty appreciated Li Ling's courage and agreed with him. ? However, when Li Ling went to Xunji Mountain, he was met by Xiongnu Khan's soldiers. Rupert failed to help, but the Xiongnu soldiers gathered more and more. After running out of food and grass, Li Ling finally surrendered to the enemy. ? Emperor Wu was furious, and his ministers denounced Li Ling's sins. Only Sima Qian said, "Li Ling serves her relatives, is loyal to her scholars, and always cares about serving the country. With only 5,000 infantry, he attracted all the Xiongnu troops and killed more than 10,000 enemies. Although he was defeated and surrendered to the enemy, his achievements can be offset. I don't think Li Ling really surrendered to the enemy. He lived to find opportunities to repay the Han Dynasty. " However, after the failure of Sun Aoying's Li Ling, in order to counter the Han Dynasty, Liang Wudi married Li Ling's family and Sima Qian was also sentenced to "lobby Li Ling because he wanted to be a mistress". The crime of false negligence is a crime of disrespect and should be beheaded according to law. ?

Faced with the punishment of the great monarch, Mu Yi died. Although honor can be guaranteed, the book has not been completed and the name has not been established. This kind of death is like a drop in the ocean, like the death of an ant. [48]? Zhouyi was interpreted when King Wen was in prison, and Chunqiu was written when he was in trouble. Li Sao was given to Qu Yuan when he was exiled, Mandarin was given to him when Zuo Qiu was blind, and The Art of War was revised after Sun Bin was sent to squat. Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals was handed down from generation to generation in exile. Han Fei was imprisoned in the State of Qin, and he was hard to blame. ? Finally, in that era when "Zanghuo's handmaids and concubines can still be the masters", Sima Qian resolutely chose to be redeemed by corruption. At this point, Sima Qian was burdened with his father's unfulfilled ideals and was fearless in the face of capital punishment. ? Accomplish the mission of Taishigong with perseverance and humiliation.

Biography of Historical Records

Sima Qian had a daughter who married Yang Chang. Yang Chang was the prime minister of Liu Fuling's reign. Yang Chang has two sons, namely, two sons given to Yang Jiasheng by Sima Qian's daughter, the eldest son Yang Zhong and the youngest son Yang Yun. Yang Yun was smart and studious since childhood, and her mother showed him the Historical Records which she treasured and loved deeply. When Yang Yun read this book for the first time, he was fascinated by its contents and couldn't put it down. He read word by word carefully. Yang Yun read it several times as an adult. Every time I read this, he always burst into tears and sighed. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty proclaimed the Emperor, Yang Yun was named Pingtong Hou. At that time, when he saw that the imperial court was clear, he thought that it was time for his grandfather Sima Qian's masterpiece to be rediscovered, so he wrote to Xuan Di, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, and presented Historical Records. From then on, everyone in the world can read this great history book.

Major achievements

Literature and history

In 9 1 year BC (the second year of Zheng He), Historical Records was written. [52]? Book 130, with more than 526,500 words, including 12 biographies, 30 aristocratic families, 70 biographies, 10 tables and 8 books, which have a great influence on later generations. They are called "true records and faithful history", praised by Mr. Lu Xun as "the swan song of historians, leaving Sao without rhyme", and listed as the first of the previous "four histories", just like "Zi Tongzhi"

think

Sima Qian expressed his thoughts of governing the country through reform and development through the mouth of Laozi. It retains the core of Taoism and nature, and consciously eliminates the thought of "small country and few people" in primitive society and "creating man" in slave society, and embodies the thought of "keeping pace with the times" which has won the essence of Taoism. Its core is the unity of man and nature, and its essence is human desire.

astronomy

In the Han dynasty

Sima Qian's inscription and postscript

Astrologers of that period should first put forward Sima Qian. Everyone knows that Sima Qian is a great historian, but he doesn't know that he is also an expert in astronomy and astrology. In fact, as long as you carefully read his official history books, calligraphy books and almanac, you can understand that calling him an expert in astronomy is by no means a hollow name.

Sima Qian inherited his father's will and completed the task of "pushing forward the changes in the ancient times", which was clearly stated as "connecting the changes in the ancient times and studying the time between man and nature" His conclusion is expressed in the Book of Heaven, that is, according to the solar eclipse in the Spring and Autumn Period of 242, the astrology witnessed by comets, the decline of the emperor, the rise of the Five Dynasties and the social chaos and turmoil in the Warring States Period, the Qin and Han Dynasties are linked and summarized. This is the most important example of Sima Qian's applied astronomy, which occupies the highest position in the whole history of astrology education.

In addition, Sima Qian also summarized the basic principles of astronomy since the Warring States Period, stating as follows: "I carefully consulted the records of historical books and investigated the events that occurred in history, and found that during the period of 100, all five stars were retrograde. When the five stars are retrograde, they often become particularly bright. The eclipse of the sun and the moon and its movement from south to north have a certain speed and period, which is the most basic data on which astrology is based. The Purple Palace Star Wall, the four palaces in the sky, the stars in the east, west, north and south, and their countless stars are all in the same position, and their sizes and mutual distances are constant. Their distribution and arrangement symbolize the position of the five senses in the sky. This is the basis of astrology as a' classic', that is, unchanged. Water, fire, gold, wood and Saturn are the five auxiliary elements of heaven. Their appearance and concealment have a certain time and period, but their running speed is uneven. This is the' latitude' in astronomy, which is the part that changes through purple. By combining these fixed and changing astrology, we can predict personnel changes. "

well-known saying

Sanjin is an eventful man, and her husband speaks freely in Qiang Qin.

A gentleman is ill and nameless.

Gorgeous appearance, sacred words are true, bitter words are medicine, and words are disease.

The mountain is high and the scenery is good. Although unattainable, my heart yearns for it.

When Gai Zhongzi died, Boya never played drums again. What is this? A scholar dies as a bosom friend, and a woman is her lover.

The ancients' wealth and fame are indelible and unforgettable. They are only charming and extraordinary.

Cang Li knows etiquette, food and clothing know honor and disgrace.

Bathing doesn't need rivers and seas, it needs cleaning; The horse doesn't have to aim at the horse, but walk well.

Good people are inspired by it, followed by guidance, followed by admonition, and again neat, and the lowest one fights it.

Historical evaluation

Han Dynasty

Yang Xiong wrote in "Fa Yan": "A great teacher moved, saying it was a record". "My son loves more and loves strange things." Yang Xiong was the first person to praise the spirit of Sima Qian's record. He put forward records and love, which have been recognized by experienced people until now.

Ban Gu was the first person who systematically evaluated Sima Qian in Han Dynasty. There is Biography of Sima Qian in Hanshu. Ban Gu said in his eulogy: "Since Liu Xiang, Yang and other well-known books, they have all inspired historical masterpieces, convinced their feelings with order, argued without pomp, argued without vulgarity, wrote straightforwardly, focused on things, and beautiful without concealing evil, so they are called records." It can be said that Sima Qian's "not empty beauty, not hiding evil" can be said to be right. The world calls it, and later generations are impressed. Sima Qian's spirit of "recording" has become a fine tradition of China's historiography.

the Tang Dynasty

Han Yu spoke highly of Sima Qian's literary talent. He said: "People in the Han Dynasty were all literate, and Tai Shigong, Liu Xiang and Yang were the best." He thinks that the style of Sima Qian's works is "majestic and elegant". Historical Records became a sample of Han Yu's composition.

Liu Zongyuan thinks that the articles in Historical Records are concise and clear, concise and neat, and there is no disease of branches and vines; Naturally, it is watertight, and it is not allowed to add a word; Choosing words and making sentences is painstaking, and you can't subtract a word.

Song and Yuan Dynasties

Song people highly praised Sima Qian, and famous figures include Ma Cunzan's "Strong Patrol" and "Five-body Structure of Zheng Qiao".

Ma Cun thinks that Sima Qian likes traveling all his life and refuses to take a day off. Sima Qian's strong patrol is not a general strong patrol, but he tries his best to help me and then spits out a book. Therefore, his articles are either outrageous or uninhibited; Or the wave of Dongting, deep and implicit; Or spring makeup, such as thick and graceful; Or the dragon and tiger leap forward, with thousands of troops. Sima Qian's family is a dragon gate and has made great contributions to God. West to Bashu, cross Jiange Bird Road; Wandering around Qilu, seeing the legacy of the son of heaven. Therefore, the change of everything between heaven and earth can be shocking and entertaining, but it can be sad. Zi Chang takes this as an article, so Zi Chang's articles change endlessly.

Zheng Qiao, a historian of the Southern Song Dynasty, thinks that writing a book with a hundred schools of thought contending for each other is empty and records the past dynasties without any rules. The classics of Sima Qian and his son came into being, from the Yellow Emperor to the Qin and Han Dynasties, and were compiled into a book, which was divided into five parts: calendar year, family generation, desk calendar, documentary events and people. After one hundred generations, historians can't change laws, and scholars can't change books. After six classics, there is only this book. It can be seen that Zheng Qiao spoke highly of Historical Records.

Ming and Qing dynasties

Jin Shengtan regarded Historical Records as one of the "books of six talents" and commented on it with more than 90 prefaces. He praised Sima Qian many times in his comments on Water Margin and The West Chamber, and published many insightful opinions. He said: "forbearance is the heart of Shi Gong's life." Commenting on the Biography of Qu Yuan and Jia Sheng, Sima Qian said that he "borrowed their lives to make me cry." Jin Shengtan is Sima Qian's confidant. His discussion on the relationship between Historical Records and novels is unique. "The method of" Water Margin "comes from" Historical Records ",and" Water Margin "is unique and obviously a biography." Zhang, a man, even bluntly said: "Jin Ping Mei is a historical record." It can be seen that Historical Records has a wide influence on later novel writing skills.

Qian said in Wu Zhai's Travel Collection: "Sima Yi's Historical Records was founded with thousands of years of talent, pioneering knowledge and high respect." He believes that the five-body structure founded by Sima Qian has become a sample for historians to compile history, and its contribution is "like the star of the sun"!

Zhang Xuecheng said in his historical theory masterpiece "Literature and History": "Fu moved to school, and he was the only one after the Spring and Autumn Period." He thinks the book Historical Records is "a book with a long history and hundreds of prisons". Sima Qian has a unique insight, and Historical Records has the power to set a precedent. Due to Sima Qian's unparalleled insight and pen power, Historical Records is the saying that "latitude and longitude are in the midst of heaven and man", and Zhang Xuecheng is like no one who came later.

Zhao Yi said in "Notes on the Twenty-two Histories": "Sima Qian gave consideration to both ancient and modern times and drew inferences from others to make it the whole history. In this century, the emperors made orders, the aristocratic families remembered Hou Guo, ten tables were current events, eight books were detailed, and biographies were dedicated figures. Then gather the gains and losses of a generation of monarch and minister politics in one article. Since then, the historians of past dynasties cannot go beyond their scope, and those who believe in history are extremely good. " Sima Qian's five-body historical framework, once established, is a classic. Throughout the twenty-four history, there is no exception. Zhao Yi is called "the ultimate principle of historians", which is the best.

Liang Qichao believed that "Sima Qian was the ancestor of history" and "Taishi Gongcheng was the creator of history". Liang Qichao spoke highly of Historical Records, and thought it was the founder of China's general history and a well-informed and rigorous work. He believes that: "Historical Records" biographies borrow people to learn from history; The writing of Historical Records can be vividly described by a narrator. The narrative of Historical Records can be analyzed clearly and meticulously. Therefore, he advocated that "all scholars must read historical records".

Modern Times

Lu Xun introduced Sima Qian in the Outline of China Literature History. Lu Xun said: "Liang Wudi is a scholar, endowed with Mo Ruo Sima Xiangru and Wen Ruo Sima Qian." Sima Qian wrote an article "not limited to historical methods, not limited to words, but from feelings, from the heart", so Historical Records can be regarded as "the historian's swan song, without rhyme." Lu Xun's evaluation has become an immortal famous saying in the commentary of Historical Records.

Mao Zedong said in "Serving the People": "People always die, but the meaning of death is different. In ancient China, there was a writer named Sima Qian who said,' People are inherently mortal, which is heavier than Mount Tai and lighter than a feather'. To die for the benefit of the people is more important than Mount Tai, to work hard for fascism, and to die for exploiting and oppressing the people is less important than a feather. " I highly admire Sima Qian and think that "Sima Qian traveled in Xiaoxiang, Pan-West Lake, calendar Kunlun and traveled around famous mountains and rivers with a broad mind".

Guo Moruo especially appreciated Sima Qian's literary talent. He said: "Sima Qian, a master of history, is really worthy of our boast. His Historical Records is no less than an ancient epic of China, and it can also be a collection of historical novels. " 1958, in his inscription for Sima Temple, Guo Moruo praised Sima Qian for his "outstanding writing" and "pursuing his father's merits". Therefore, Guo Moruo thinks that the literary achievements of Historical Records are extremely high.

Jian Bozan thinks that Sima Qian is the founder of China's historical history, and Historical Records is a society-centered history. He said: "The history of China has become an independent science since the Western Han Dynasty, and the founder of this science is the great historian Sima Qian. Historical Records is an immortal monument at the starting point of China's history. " He also said: "Although historical records are biographies, they are social-centered history." Sima Qian "almost noticed the dynamics of every stratum, every corner and every aspect of society in history, and gave a concrete and vivid description." So I think Historical Records is the first large-scale social history in China.

Zheng Zhenduo believes that history has been regarded as an encyclopedia of the times since Sima Qian, so Sima Qian has taken a wide range of information, including politics, economy, war and academia, and his contacts are extremely extensive. The so-called "literary history" is often included in this all-encompassing "encyclopedia of the times" by the Internet.

Du Pengcheng said in Preface to Records of hancheng city: "Hancheng is known as the hometown of literature and history, a famous cultural city with a long history, the hometown of Sima Qian, a world famous historical and cultural figure, and has always been culturally developed. Celebrities come forth in large numbers in the past dynasties, among which Sima Qian, a great historian, writer and thinker in the Western Han Dynasty, is the most famous. His magnificent masterpiece "Historical Records" is famous at home and abroad and has far-reaching influence. "