The Writing Background of Historical Records

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 first year of Taichu (BC 104), Sima Qian began to create Taishi Gongshu, later called Shiji.

However, an accident happened. In the third year of Tianhan (98), Li Ling was defeated and surrendered to the Huns. Sima Qian was arrested and imprisoned for defending Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and was sentenced to imprisonment, which gave him great physical and mental trauma.

After he was released from prison, he was appointed secretary of the Secretariat. He endured humiliation and hardships, and worked hard to complete his historical records. With the historical knowledge of "studying the relationship between man and nature, changing from ancient times to modern times, and getting married", he experienced 14 years before and after, and created China's first biography Historical Records.

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works appreciation

Sima Qian's prose is changeable, rising and falling. Come and go without a trace for no reason, which makes people unpredictable. "Biography of Boyi" is a biography for Boyi and Shu Qi, but it begins with a discussion, with Xu You, Bian Bian, Guangwu and others as the foil for Boyi and Shu Qi, which almost confuses the subject and object. After describing the deeds of Boyi and Shu Qi, Yan Yuan and Shoppers were introduced into the discussion, which was discussed from both positive and negative aspects.

Historical Records is a legend. Qin Shihuang's deeds in his later years are interspersed with many strange things and the existence of gods, which indicates the demise of the Qin Empire. When writing about the rise of Emperor Gaozu, Liu Wei's feelings about the dragon and his son, Liu Bang's drunken beheading of the giant snake and other legends all show his supernatural nature.

In addition to absurd legends, many true stories written in historical records are also legendary. Lu Zhonglian, a strange person, solves problems without taking anything, is detached from things, is far-fetched and will never see you again. The one in Stay at Houjia is a legendary figure, while the four noble people in this article are equally abrupt, like immortals.

The influence of later generations

Historical Records is the first general history masterpiece in the history of Chinese historiography. It is precisely because Historical Records can integrate the past and the present into a book, set a precedent and set an example, and modify history one by one according to this genre. The style of general historians has always influenced the research and writing of modern historiography.

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