Historical records Sima Qian

Sima Qian (former 145-87? ), the word Long, Zuo Fengyi, was born in xia yang (now Hancheng, Shaanxi). His father, Sima Tan, was knowledgeable and cultivated. He used to "learn from Tang Dou, learn from others and learn from Huang Zi". He once criticized Confucianism, Mohism, Ming, Fa, Yin and Yang in the article Essentials of Six Classics, and praised Taoism in an all-round way, which shows that he was deeply influenced by the popular Huang Lao thought at that time. Sima Tan's clear thinking and critical spirit in this paper will undoubtedly inspire Sima Qian's later works for the pre-Qin philosophers, and will also have an impact on Sima Qian's thought, personality and attitude towards learning. After Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ascended the throne, Sima Tan made an imperial edict and moved to Chang 'an for the convenience of going to court. Before that, Sima Qian's "farming day", that is, helping his family to do some farm work, probably also learned the popular writing at that time-official script. After I went to Chang 'an with my father, I studied classical Chinese (such as "Wen Shu" and "Classical Chinese" in Shuowen), studied under Dong Zhongshu, the master of Confucian classics at that time, and studied under Kong Anguo. All these have had a far-reaching impact on the young Sima Qian.

Sima Qian began to roam at the age of twenty. This is what he said in the preface to Historical Records Taishi Gong: "I am twenty years old, traveling south to Jianghuai, going to Huiji, exploring points, nine doubts, floating in Yuanxiang. In the north, there are Si Wen involved, talking about the capital of Qilu, observing the legacy of Confucius, shooting Zou Yi in the hometown, trapped in Xuepeng City in the province, and crossing the beam to return home. " After returning, "being an official is a doctor"; There is also "please ask me to travel west to the south of Bashu, slightly south to Qionglai, Sichuan and Kunming". Later, due to Liang Wudi's attendance, he traveled more places. These practical activities enriched Sima Qian's historical knowledge and life experience, broadened Sima Qian's mind and vision, and more importantly, brought him into contact with the economic life of the broad masses of the people and realized their thoughts, feelings and wishes. This is of great significance to his later work Historical Records.

In the first year of Yuanfeng (before 1 10), Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty made an east tour to worship Mount Tai. The feudal ruling class thought it was a golden opportunity. Sima Tan stayed in Luoyang due to illness and was unable to attend. He is anxious and angry, and his life is at stake. At this time, Sima Qian came back from the southwest, and he left his ideal and desire to write history to Sima Qian. Sima Qian said with tears: "The boy is not sensitive, please know the old news of your ancestors, don't dare!" Three years later, Sima Qian succeeded Taishiling, and he treated his position with great enthusiasm. "I don't know what the guest knows, but I died in my family business, thinking hard day and night, seeking relatives and flattering the Lord." And began to read and sort out historical materials in the "Golden Chamber and Stone Room", that is, the National Library. After four or five years of preparation, in the first year of Taichu (before 104), he presided over the work of changing the Zhuan Xu calendar from the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Xia calendar, and then he began to inherit the works of Spring and Autumn Annals, that is, to formally write Historical Records and practice his father's legacy of writing articles on the world. Sima Qian was forty-two years old this year.

When Sima Qian was absorbed in writing, a catastrophe befell him. In the second year of Tian Han (99 BC), Li Ling resisted the Huns and surrendered, which shocked the court. Sima Qian believed that Li Ling's surrender was out of temporary helplessness, and he would definitely find opportunities to repay the Han Dynasty. Just when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty asked him what he thought of this matter, he told him his own thoughts. Emperor Wu was furious and thought it was lobbying for Li Ling, so as to attack Li Guangli, the general of the Second Division. Sima Qian was convicted in this way. Tian Han went to the silkworm house for three years and was "spoiled". This is a great destruction and shame for him. He thought of death, but he also thought that his writing was not finished and should not be lighter than death. He finally saw his way out from the experiences of sages such as Xi Bo's being imprisoned for Zhouyi, B's writing Spring and Autumn Annals, Qu Yuan's exile, Li Sao, blindness, and his inability to speak Mandarin, and he was determined to "endure all his life" and fulfill his great writing dream. After he was released from prison, Sima Qian was promoted to secretariat. Although his name is higher than Tai Shigong's, he is just a "dismissed official" and a "famous prostitute", just like an official, so it is easier to arouse his memory of being humiliated. He "sweats every time he thinks of shame." However, his writing career gained more strength from this, and his anger and grievances about his unfortunate experience were revealed in several pages of historical records. In the fourth year of Taishigong (93 BC), Sima Qian said in a letter to his good friend Ren An: "There are 130 articles in the world that are trapped by incompetent words, so we can test them and check their success or failure." It can be seen that the book Historical Records has been basically completed at this time. Since then, his deeds have not been tested, and he probably died in the last years of Emperor Wu. His life is similar to that of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

Sima Qian accepted Confucianism and consciously inherited Confucius' career, and regarded his works as the second Spring and Autumn Annals. But he did not recognize the exclusive position of Confucianism, and he also accepted the influence of hundred schools of thought, especially Taoism. There are materialistic factors and critical spirit in his thoughts, especially because of his own experience, which increases his resistance. Ban Biao and Ban Gu accused Sima Qian that "right and wrong is a saint, which is quite absurd: Huang Lao followed the Six Classics on the avenue, while the order ranger retired to the treacherous hero, and worshipping power was ashamed of poverty", which just showed that Sima Qian's thought stood above many contemporaries and was beyond the understanding of some feudal orthodox literati. It is from the accusations of these feudal orthodox literati that we see the important aspects of Sima Qian's progressive thought today.

Historical Records is an epoch-making symbol in Chinese history. It is a masterpiece of "studying the relationship between man and nature, understanding the changes of ancient and modern times, and getting married". This is an extremely valuable contribution of Sima Qian to our national culture, especially to history. The book includes biographies, tables, books, aristocratic families and biographies, with a total of 130 articles and 526,500 words. In addition to Qin Benji, Benji describes the political traces of the emperor, the supreme ruler of all dynasties; "Table" is a simple memorabilia in various historical periods, which is the connection and supplement of the narrative of the whole book; "Book" is the beginning and end documents of individual events, which describe the development and present situation of astronomy, calendar, water conservancy, economy, culture and art respectively, similar to the special history of science in later generations; Family mainly describes the history of nobles and princes; Biographies are mainly biographies of people of different types and classes, and there are also a few biographies describing the ruling history of foreign and domestic ethnic minorities. It is through these five different styles and their mutual cooperation and supplement that Historical Records has formed a complete system. Its chronicle, from the Yellow Emperor to the early days of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (104-1kloc-0/), comprehensively describes the political, economic and cultural development of China from ancient times to the third day of the Han Dynasty, which is a great summary of the ancient history of China.

Sima Qian's works, besides Historical Records, the Records of Literature and Art also recorded eight pieces of Fu, but today there is only one piece of Fu for the Past and the famous Letter to Ren An. Bao Ren An Shu expressed his painful feelings of being determined to endure humiliation and filth in order to finish his works. It is an important material to study Sima Qian's life thought and an excellent prose full of emotion. Hurting people without meeting Fu is also a work of the author in his later years, which expresses his anger that he is unwilling to be "ignorant" after being punished by corruption.

Instructions for applying for a letter of guarantee

This article is Sima Qian's reply to his good friend Ren An. Ren An, whose real name is Shao Qing, was once the secretariat of Yizhou and the military escort of the Northern Army. The biography of Ren 'an was supplemented by Mr. Chu and attached to the 140-volume biography of Shu Tian. Sima Qian was sentenced to imprisonment for Li Ling's disaster. After he was released from prison, he became an official of the Secretariat. On the surface, he had a close relationship with eunuchs and was despised by the literati. Ren An wrote to him at this time, hoping that he could "promote the sage as a scholar". Sima Qian was embarrassed by his experience and situation, so he never replied. Later, Ren An was imprisoned for his crimes and sentenced to death. Sima Qian wrote this letter to him. Regarding the writing age of this letter, it is said that it was the second year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (9 1 before) and the fourth year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (93 before).

In this letter, Sima Qian told his friends and the world the great shame he suffered because of Li Ling's disaster, poured out the long-simmering pain and resentment in his heart, boldly exposed the selfishness of court ministers, and even publicly revealed his dissatisfaction with Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. He was clear from right and wrong, despicable and ungrateful. The letter also euphemistically described the difficulty of "enduring life" after he was sentenced. In order to complete the book Historical Records, Sima Qian endured humiliation and ridicule beyond ordinary people's imagination. But he has a very firm belief that death is valuable and "more important than Mount Tai". Therefore, before he finished writing historical records, he must not die easily, even if he is misunderstood for a while. It is this belief that supports him to survive tenaciously in the painful struggle of "nine ileums a day", endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens, persevere, and finally realize his long-cherished wish and accomplish the great cause. Today, we are reading this immortal masterpiece, thinking about Sima Qian's hardships and persistence in writing that year. How can we not admire his lofty spirit?

This article is not only of great value for us to study Sima Qian's thought, the writing motivation and the writing process of Historical Records, but also a rare prose work in the history of literature. The ancients have long regarded it as a must in the world, comparable to Li Sao. The strangeness of this article is first manifested in its majestic momentum. The author has long suppressed the grief and indignation in his heart, and this article gushes out like a big river in the Yangtze River, which is magnificent and breathtaking. The uniqueness of this article lies in its vertical and horizontal opening and closing, ups and downs and overlapping rocks. The author is frank, but his inner contradictions and pains are extremely complicated. He didn't mean to put on airs, but he couldn't explain it clearly in a few words, so he told the truth one by one. Sometimes passionate, sometimes crying; Sometimes you have to make an offer, and sometimes you want to stop. Twists and turns, twists and turns, fully shows the power of the pen. In addition, the style of writing is fluent, the language is vivid, compound sentence and scattered sentences are naturally scattered, and there are interspersed sentences and overlapping sentences, which makes this article also have unique artistic charm in prose form.

This article was first published in Biography of Sima Qian in Han Dynasty, and later included in Selected Works. There are some differences between the two books. This is based on Hanshu, with Selected Works as a reference.

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Taishi Gong and his servants are like horses and cattle, saying goodbye to Sima Qian;

Shao Qing, the first step: Some time ago, you condescended to write to me and taught me to be cautious. It is my duty to recommend wise men. The affection is so sincere, as if complaining that I didn't follow your teachings, but followed the opinions of secular people. I dare not do this. Although my talent is mediocre, I have also heard about the fashion handed down by virtuous people from the audience. It's just that I think my physical disability is in a filthy and shameful situation, and my behavior will be criticized. If I want to do something useful, it will cause harm, so I can only be depressed alone, and no one can tell. The proverb says, "Who do you work for? Who will listen to you! " After Zhong Ziqi's death, Yu Boya stopped playing the piano all his life. Why? Scholars should serve their confidants, and women should dress up and beautify those who love her. People like me, even if their talents are as precious as those of the Empress of Sui Dynasty and Bian, and their conduct is as noble as those of Xu You and Bo Yi, can no longer be proud of it, but can only be laughed at and humiliated by others. Your letter should have been answered as soon as possible, just as I came back from the emperor's eastward tour, and I was busy with some trivial matters, so I had little chance to meet you, so I was anxious and unavailable, so I was able to express my thoughts in my heart. Now you are suffering from unpredictable crimes. In another month, the end of winter is coming, and I am forced to follow the emperor to Yongdi. I'm afraid that the inevitable will happen suddenly, so that I can't express my resentment to you in the end, and your soul will be full of regret. Please allow me to state my humble opinion a little. I hope you don't blame me for not replying for a long time.

I heard that self-cultivation is a concentrated expression of wisdom; Loving and helping others is the origin of benevolence; What you get and what you give is the expression of righteousness; Shame is a prerequisite for courage; Establishing reputation is the ultimate goal of behavior. Only when scholars have these five aspects can they gain a foothold in the world and enter the ranks of gentlemen. Therefore, nothing is worse than greed and self-interest, nothing is more painful than sadness, nothing is more ugly than insulting ancestors, and nothing is more shameful than castration. People who get the rest of their lives after being punished have a long history and can't compare with others or a generation. Once, I rode in the same car with eunuch Yong Qu. When Confucius saw them, he went to Chen. Shang Yang relied on the introduction of eunuch Jing Ke to be reused, and Zhao Liang felt chilling; When Zhao talked about accompanying Deng Wendi on the bus, his face changed. Eunuchs have been a disgrace since ancient times. Those people with mediocre talents are always discouraged when it comes to eunuchs, let alone people with lofty ideals. Nowadays, although the imperial court is short of talents, how can a man who has been in prison recommend heroes all over the world? I have been an official beside the emperor for more than 20 years, relying on the career left by my ancestors. Therefore, I often think about myself and say to the heights that I can't serve my integrity wholeheartedly. My amazing strategy and special ability have not been praised, and I have won the trust of sages. Secondly, we can't fill the gaps for the emperor, nor can we recruit people who recommend talents, so that the hermits in Shan Ye can show their talents; Externally, you can't join the army and attack the city in other places. Kill the enemy and win the enemy's flag. At the bottom, we can't get high officials and high salaries with our accumulated hard work, which will make our relatives and friends feel honored. These four things didn't get what I wanted. I just tried my best to please the emperor, and there won't be any special performance. My situation can also be seen from here. Once upon a time, in the ranks of doctors, I accompanied others abroad to express some irrelevant opinions. I didn't take advantage of this opportunity to do my best according to the imperial decree. Now I have become a servant engaged in cleaning, and my position is humble. I will also hold my head high and comment on right and wrong. Isn't that insulting the imperial court and humiliating today's scholars? Alas! Alas! What can a man like me say?

Besides, the cause and effect of the matter is not clear. When I was young, I was conceited of my unrestrained talent. I didn't get praise from the village when I grew up. Fortunately, the emperor can contribute my shallow talent to the palace. I thought how I could look at the sky with a basin in my hand, so I cut off contacts with my friends, forgot my family affairs, and tried to do my duty day and night to please the emperor. However, things turned out to be all wet, not what I thought. Li Ling and I are both government officials. We don't have much friendship at ordinary times, and our interests are different. We have never had a drink together and enjoyed sex together. But I have observed that he is a chivalrous man who is strict with himself, serves his parents and stresses filial piety. He attaches importance to honesty in treating scholars, is honest in front of money, takes righteousness as the criterion in accepting and giving, is willing to give in to unusual things, is humble to others, and always wants to sacrifice himself for the urgency of the country. Judging from his usual words and deeds, I think he has a national demeanor. As a courtier, although he experienced all kinds of dangers, he did not consider his own life, but only the crisis of saving the public. This is already very surprising. What I'm doing now is a bit inappropriate. Ministers who only care about protecting themselves and their wives and children exaggerate his mistakes. I really feel pain inside.

In addition, Li Ling led less than 5,000 infantry, went deep into the battlefield and set foot in the Xiongnu compound, dropped bait at the gate of hell, bravely challenged the powerful Xiongnu, and fought with hundreds of millions of enemy troops and Khan for more than ten days, killing more enemies than his own army. The enemy was unable to rescue the dead and wounded soldiers, and the Xiongnu kings were shocked and horrified, so they mobilized all the military forces in Wang Xian and launched people who could draw bows and shoot arrows, and the national army besieged Li Ling. The arrows were exhausted, the road was exhausted, reinforcements could not arrive, and soldiers were killed and wounded. However, when Li Ling comforted the army loudly, the soldiers all stood up. They were all in tears and their faces were covered with blood. They swallowed their tears, then drew empty bows and braved swords and arrows to fight to the death with the enemy in the north. Before the fall of Liling, an envoy came to report the situation, and officials and princes of the Han Dynasty all raised their glasses to congratulate the emperor. A few days later, when I learned that Li Ling was defeated, the emperor didn't eat well for it, and the minister was worried and didn't know what to do. I have never thought about my meanness in private. Seeing the emperor's sorrow, I really want to offer my sincere loyalty. I think that Li Ling is usually with officers, and he doesn't eat sweets himself, so giving something to himself can make people work for him to death. Although it is the star of ancient times, it can't surpass him. Although Li Ling was defeated by Xiongnu, according to his mind, he would wait until the right time to serve the Han Dynasty. Things are very helpless. He wiped out so many enemy troops, a feat that was enough to tell the world. I wanted to state this point in my heart, but there was no chance. It happened that the emperor summoned me for questioning. I will explain Li Ling's exploits according to this meaning, and I want to use these words to comfort the emperor's heart and stop the evil words of those who hate Li Ling. I didn't fully explain it, but the emperor didn't understand it. He thought I was deliberately slandering Li Guangli, the general of the Second Division, and lobbying for Li Ling, so he handed me over to the court, and my sincerity and loyalty could not be stated one by one. So he was sentenced to cheat the emperor, and finally the emperor agreed to the prison officer's decision. My family is poor, my property is not enough to atone for my sins, no one from my friends came to save me, and no one around the emperor said anything to the emperor. He is not a wooden stone, but is imprisoned in prison with the judge. Who can listen to me? This is exactly what Shao Qing saw with his own eyes and what I did, isn't it? Now that Li Ling surrendered to the Huns, it ruined his family's reputation, and I was sentenced to live in a silkworm house, which was even more ridiculed by the world. I'm sad! It is not easy to tell the people one by one.

My ancestors didn't make any contribution, and they could get the outline symbol and the iron coupon of Dan Shu given by the emperor, and they were in charge of history books and astronomical calendars. Officials who are similar to divination sacrifices were originally played for the emperor. Like raising animals and advocating Excellence, they are all occupations that secular people look down upon. If I am executed according to law, it will be like nine cows losing a hair. What's the difference between a dead mole and an ant? The world will not compare me with those who died of integrity, but think that you are exhausted in wisdom and sin, you can't redeem yourself, and finally you die. Why? It is caused by my usual work and occupation. Everyone will die. Some people die heavier than Mount Tai, while others die lighter than a feather. Why death is different. The most important thing is not to humiliate our ancestors, secondly, not to humiliate ourselves, secondly, not to insult laws and decrees, thirdly, to be tied up and humiliated, thirdly, to be humiliated by wearing prison clothes, thirdly, to be punished and humiliated by wearing cangue and rope, thirdly, to shave one's head and wear iron rings, thirdly, to lose one's skin and limb, and thirdly, to be castrated and humiliated. The ancient book says: "the punishment is not on the doctor." In other words, the literati should sharpen their integrity. Tigers are in the mountains, and all animals are frightened. When it reaches the trap or cage, it has to wag its tail and beg for food. This is the result of long-term power restriction and gradual progress. Therefore, even if there are marked prisons on the ground, scholars are not allowed to enter; Even if you are tried by a wooden warder, you can't be confronted. It is a clear attitude to commit suicide first and then be punished. Now he is tied hands and feet, put on a cangue rope, exposed his skin, whipped and imprisoned in prison. At this time, when you see the jailer, you have to kowtow. When you saw the jailer, you were too scared to vent your anger. Why? This is a situation caused by the long-term restriction of power. People who have reached this point and say that they will not lose face are called thick-skinned. What is there to respect? What's more, Xibo () was the leader of a vassal and was once detained in Yu (yǒu, especially); Reese was the prime minister and received five kinds of punishment; Han Xin was already a vassal, but he was tortured in Chen. Peng Yue and Zhang ao became kings in the south, and they were all imprisoned and convicted as a result; Jiang Hou Zhou Bo killed the Lushi family who surpassed the five tyrants in the Spring and Autumn Period, and was later imprisoned in his room for punishment. (Jρ, Ji) Hou was a general. At last, he put on his prison clothes and brought instruments of torture. Ji Bu became a domestic slave of Zhujiajia; Guanfu was locked in the bedroom and was humiliated. These people have been living a life of princes and princes, and their fame has spread to neighboring countries. When they commit crimes and are punished by laws and regulations, they can't make up their minds to commit suicide. In prison, it has always been like this. How can he not lose face! Judging from these situations, courage and cowardice are caused by different power positions; The strength depends on the situation. That's clear. What's the surprise? Besides, if a person can't commit suicide before being punished, he has gradually declined; Isn't it too late to commit suicide when it's time to flog? This is probably the reason why the ancients should treat literati punishment with caution!

There is no human nature that does not crave for survival and hates death, and there is no indifference to parents, wives and children. As for those who are inspired by righteousness, this is not the case, it is due to the situation of necessity. Now I am very unfortunate. I lost my parents in my early years. So far I have no brothers and am alone in the world. What do you think of my wife and children, Shao Qing? Besides, brave people don't have to die a martyr. Timid people just advocate chastity and can't encourage themselves under any circumstances! Although I am timid and want to drag out an ignoble existence, I also know the boundary between drag out an ignoble existence and dying. Why should I be ashamed of being trapped in prison? Handmaiden concubines can also commit suicide, not to mention people like me who have to commit suicide! The reason why I have to swallow my pride, drag out an ignoble existence and be imprisoned in a filthy prison is because of what I hate inside, and it is a shame that my article can't be passed on to future generations after my death!

In ancient times, people who were rich but lost their fame could not be recorded, and only extraordinary special people could be known to future generations. After Zhou Wenwang was detained, he performed the sixty-four hexagrams in Zhouyi. Confucius began to write Spring and Autumn Annals after he came back from his predicament. Qu Yuan wrote Li Sao only after he was exiled. Zuo Qiuming began to write Mandarin only after he became blind. Sun Tzu's feet were cut off and Sun Tzu's art of war was compiled. Being demoted to Shu, Lv Chunqiu was published in the world. Han Fei was imprisoned by the State of Qin and wrote articles such as Shuo (Shu). Most of the 300 poems in The Book of Songs were written by sages to express their worries. These people are depressed and can't realize their ideals, so they describe their past, hoping that later generations can see and understand their thoughts. As for Zuo Qiuming, his eyes were blind, his grandson had his foot cut off, and he couldn't be appointed in the end. He retired and wrote a book to relieve their indignation, hoping to spread the article to future generations to show his ambition. In private, I overreach myself. In recent years, I have devoted myself to useless words, collecting historical records and rumors scattered all over the world, researching the deeds of predecessors and investigating the truth of their success or failure. From Huangdi Xuanyuan to today, I have written ten tables, twelve biographies, eight chapters, thirty aristocratic families, seventy biographies and one hundred and thirty * *. I also want to explore the relationship between heaven and personnel through historical development and changes from ancient times to the present, and complete a unique and self-contained work. The draft hasn't been finished yet, which is a disaster. It's a pity that the book was not finished, so the most cruel punishment didn't show resentment. I really want to write this book, treasure it in a famous mountain, pass it on to like-minded people and let it spread among cities. Then, I can pay back the debt I owed after being humiliated. Even if I am insulted again, will I regret it However, my painstaking efforts can only be said to the wise, but it is hard to say to the layman!

And it's hard to have a bad reputation. Being despised will attract more slander. I suffered this disaster because of my comments. I was deeply laughed at by my hometown people and insulted my ancestors. How dare I visit my parents' graves again? Even after another hundred generations, the shame will only get deeper and deeper! So every day, I feel sad and turn around, and suddenly I lose something at home, and I don't know where to go when I go out. Every time I think of this shame, there is no one who doesn't sweat and get wet. I am a eunuch, how can I retire and hide in a cave in the mountains? Therefore, we have to temporarily follow the ups and downs of the secular world and deal with the current situation to express our inner confusion. Now Shao Qing teaches me to recommend wise men, isn't it against my inner difficulties? Now, even if you want to whitewash yourself and comfort yourself with beautiful words, it's useless to the laity and you won't be trusted, just bring disgrace to oneself. In short, on the day of death, right and wrong can be decided. You can't write out all the meanings in the letter, you can only briefly state your own humble opinion. Bye.