Chapter 5 Sima Guangjin presents the list of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian"

Minister Sima Guang said: Previously, I received an imperial decree asking me to compile the deeds of the monarchs and ministers of the past dynasties.Soon, he received the imperial decree and gave him a name.Now, the book is fully finalized.My temperament is ignorant and reckless, my academics are even more sloppy, and everything I do is inferior to others.Only for history, I have a love in my heart, from childhood to old age, I have a tireless hobby.I deeply feel that since Sima Qian and Ban Gu, there have been more and more historical books, and ordinary people have plenty of time to read them, not to mention the high-ranking kings, who have a lot of time to manage, how can they have leisure?I always have an ambition to sort it out, delete superfluous nonsense, extract the essence, and compile a chronicle of the political behaviors related to the rise and fall of the country, the joys and sorrows of the people, the good can be the law, and the evil can be the warning. .Make the sequence, clear presentation, content length, complexity appropriate.Only because of weak personal strength, unable to proceed.Fortunately, I met Emperor Yingzong (Zhao Zongshi, the fifth emperor of the Song Dynasty), who was smart and wise, cared about cultural promotion, and wanted to understand ancient political affairs as a basis for formulating national plans.Special order, teach me to start editing.The wishes of the past can suddenly be brought into play, rejoicing, and not being able to control myself.The only thing I fear is that I have little talent and little knowledge, and it is difficult to be competent.The late emperor (the fifth emperor Zhao Zongshi) also ordered me to find and appoint assistants, set up an editorial bureau in the Chongwen Academy, and allow the "three halls" (Zhaowen Hall, Jixian Hall, and National History Hall) of Longtu Pavilion, Tianzhang Pavilion, and Libraries such as Mige borrow books.And send to the queen's pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and even more special rewards, to buy fruit snacks.And appointed eunuchs to act as liaison officers, who can directly report to the late emperor (the fifth emperor Zhao Zongshi).The depth of benevolence and the prosperity of being favored have never been seen in modern times.Unfortunately, the first emperor (the fifth emperor Zhao Zongshi) passed away before the book was submitted.His Majesty (the sixth emperor Zhao Xu) succeeded to the Datong and also inherited the behest, bestowed a preface, and personally named this book.During lectures in front of the imperial court, I was often ordered to read.Although I am ignorant, I have been treated so favorably by the two emperors, even if I kill myself, I can't repay it in case.As long as the ability is enough, how dare you be lazy?At that time, the government sent me to represent the commander of the Yongxing (Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province) theater (Zhi Yongxing Army). Because of his weak health and illness, he was unable to do heavy work and requested to be transferred to other official positions.His Majesty (the sixth Emperor Zhao Xu) took care of his feelings and agreed to my request, ordering me to serve as the supervisory director of the left-behind government in Xijing (Luoyang City, Henan Province) (sentenced to Xijing Liusi Yushitai), and concurrently as the administrator of Songshan Chongfu Palace in Xijing ( Lifting Songshan Chongfu Palace in Xijing).I transferred positions six times before and after, all of which allowed the editorial bureau to move with me.And only the funds are issued, and the results are never required to be paid on time.Since I have no other major affairs, I devote all my energy, research carefully, and do my best.Not enough use during the day, followed by night.Not only selected official history, but also collected from the sidelines and unofficial history (fiction), letters and documents, piled up like an ocean.We unearth the truth of history in its most hidden places, correcting every word for mistakes.From the Warring States period to the Five Dynasties, there are 1,362 years, a total of 294 volumes.In addition, the index is re-indexed, with the year and month as the vertical trajectory and the event as the horizontal narrative, which is convenient for readers to search, and is named "Catalogue", with 30 volumes.In addition, refer to various books, verify their similarities and differences, explain their authenticity, and then compose 30 volumes of "Kao Yi". —A total of three hundred and fifty-four volumes.Going back to the past, starting from the 11th century (the 11th century) in the 1960s, it was not completed until today. During the long years, I was affected by the political situation. I myself could not believe that I could be safe.

Sima Guang, the minister, paused in fear and fear.Please Your Majesty (the Sixth Emperor Zhao Xu) remember that I have been far away from the Central Committee for ten or five years. Although I am in a foreign place, my heart is not at your Majesty's side whether it is morning or evening, whether awake or asleep.It is only clumsy by nature and unable to be effective, so it specializes in writing work to repay the emperor's grace, and only asks for drops of water and dust to increase the depth of the sea and the height of the mountains.Now my bones are haggard, my eyes are short-sighted, my teeth are almost all fallen out, and my spirit is exhausted and exhausted.The things in front of me are forgotten as soon as I turn around, and all the remaining energy is exhausted in this book.I beg Your Majesty (the Sixth Emperor Zhao Xiang) to forgive me for the felony that I should be executed for writing falsely, and to observe my loyalty in one thought, and to read it casually when I have a leisurely rest.Refer to the rise and fall of previous dynasties, examine the gains and losses of current political measures, reward goodness, eliminate evil, uphold justice, and correct mistakes, it is enough to trace the ancient prosperity and bring the country into a state of peace that has never been seen before.The common people in the four seas are all blessed.Then, although I was buried under the underworld, my life's volunteers have been rewarded.

I would like to present the memorial, please learn from it.The minister, Sima Guang, was frightened and frightened, he nodded his head and spoke cautiously. Duanmingdian Bachelor and Hanlin Attendant Bachelor, Taizhong Doctor, promoted Xijing Songshan Chongfu Palace, Shangzhu Kingdom, Hanoi County Kaiguo Gong, 2,600 households in Shiyi, and 1,000 households were sealed.Minister Sima Guang went to the table.
Imperial decree: Compiled by Sima Guang.Historiography has been abandoned for too long, records have no rules, and discussions cannot be understood. How can it exert its long-term effect of punishing evil and encouraging good?You are erudite and knowledgeable, running through ancient and modern times, from the end of the Zhou Dynasty to the Five Dynasties era, sorting out and collecting them into a unique masterpiece, no matter whether you praise or condemn, there is a correct basis.After reading it, I was deeply moved.Now, I will reward you with silver taels, silk, clothes, jade belts, and horses with saddles and bridles. The list is written on another piece of paper, and you can go and get it.It is used for rewards and should be known.It's cold in winter, you have to take care.Understand what I mean, many things cannot be mentioned one by one.fifteen days.