Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Youjian was very cautious in his study of classical texts.

Even though he wanted to replace Neo-Confucianism with new knowledge, he still expressed his intention to inherit the commentaries of Cheng Yi, Cheng Hao, and Zhu Xi, and to revise and edit them accordingly.

To avoid scholars who were accustomed to studying the Four Books and Five Classics being unable to adapt, thus causing chaos in the imperial examinations.

But when it comes to history, he has no scruples whatsoever.

They overturned and completely abandoned the moral and historical studies pioneered by Song Dynasty Confucian scholars.

This drastic attitude made the courtiers very uncomfortable.

Liu Zongzhou said:

"After the Five Dynasties, people's hearts were lost and chaos ensued."

"Song Dynasty Confucian scholars used reason to elucidate history and history to prove reason, thus restoring the fundamental principles of reason and morality to the world. How can they be considered wrong?"

"The Zizhi Tongjian that Your Majesty is studying was compiled by the Song Dynasty scholar Sima Guang."

This points to the significance of moral history and the importance of the Zizhi Tongjian, which was a prominent field of study in the Ming Dynasty.

Not only did it serve as a learning resource for ordinary people, but it was also used as a textbook by the emperor.

Zhu Youjian had been advised by his ministers to study the Zizhi Tongjian on several occasions, and had even had to attend a few lessons, so he was certainly aware of this.

However, he wasn't particularly fond of the book, saying:
"The study of moral history naturally has its significance, but it is no longer suitable for the present era."

"Does anyone remember how Zhu Xi evaluated the Zizhi Tongjian?"

Zhu Xi made many comments on Sima Guang and the Zizhi Tongjian, some praising and some criticizing him.

However, the emperor's question was clearly not well-intentioned. Qian Qianyi, trying to discern the emperor's thoughts, replied:

Zhu Xi once said: "In Wen Gong's Tongjian, things involving wit, strategy and cunning are often not recorded, which does not necessarily reflect the customs of the time."

"For example, Chen Ping's account of the events between Emperor Gaozu and Chu, and the story of Ya Fu obtaining Ju Meng, are not recorded in the Zizhi Tongjian. This shows that they were unaware of the customs and circumstances of that time!"

"Wen Gong disliked power struggles, and when he revised the book, he made many deletions. But what could be done about that at the time?"

This criticism of the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) perfectly suited Zhu Youjian's intentions, greatly pleasing him.

Seeing this, the other officials naturally knew what to say and began to speak one after another. Chen Jiru said:
Zhu Xi also said: When Wen Gong revised his books, he would cut out anything that did not agree with his own ideas, unaware that others did not think the same way. There are many such examples in the Zizhi Tongjian.

“When he compiled the Zizhi Tongjian, he prioritized moral principles, saying that ‘new meanings surpass old meanings, and new principles surpass old principles.’”

“As long as there is ‘historical record of something harmful to righteousness,’ then ‘it must be corrected.’”

"It is called a record of history, but it is actually a lecture on the scriptures."

Zhu Youjian nodded in agreement, then said to Ni Yuanlu:

Does this approach of first defining principles and then selecting historical materials align with Ni Qing's statement of "not writing directly but adding judgments"?

Is the "Essential Records of Three Dynasties" a work of moralistic history?

Ni Yuanlu's eyes widened in disbelief at the emperor's words.

He used his own evaluation of the "Essentials of Three Dynasties" to evaluate the "Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government".

He said angrily:

"Can that be the same?"

"Wen Gong's purpose was to expound on principles, while Ni Shu's purpose was to cover up his mistakes; everything he said was fallacy."

He angrily berated the emperor, demanding that he retract his statement.

Seeing his guard down like this, Zhu Youjian felt no anger, but rather a wry smile. If they weren't at a lecture, he probably would have laughed out loud.

Although he did not approve of such double standards, Zhu Youjian had no choice but to patiently speak to his ministers:
"Whether it is righteous or fallacious, it can be considered a truth."

"If moralistic historiography can selectively use historical materials, why can't distorted historiography?"

"Therefore, I say that the philosophy and history pioneered by Song Confucian scholars are no longer suitable for this era."

"The 'Essential Records of Three Dynasties' represents the pinnacle of moralistic historiography, but it has gone astray and should serve as a warning."

The court officials found it unacceptable to treat the "Essential Records of Three Reigns" as a work of moral philosophy and history. Ni Yuanlu loudly proclaimed:
"Your Majesty, the *Three Reigns' Essential Records* distorts the facts, even falsely accusing the late emperor and fabricating imperial edicts." "It's not proper history!"

Zhu Youjian, somewhat impatient with his agitation, said:
“The Zizhi Tongjian quotes books such as the Han Wu Gushi to record the witchcraft and sorcery.”

"It also cites unofficial histories such as 'The Deeds of An Lushan' and 'The Anecdotes of the Tianbao Era' to record the story of Consort Yang washing her baby."

"Such records are almost like obscene history. How can one say that Sima Guang did not distort the facts?"

"It's just that it's less distorted than the 'Three Dynasties' Essential Records'."

"However, their methods of historical research are consistent. They all first determine their stance, and then cut, or even fabricate, historical materials."

"If we continue to use the principles of historical scholarship to study history, how can Ni Qing guarantee that it won't be distorted into a fallacious historical scholarship?"

These words left Ni Yuanlu somewhat speechless.

Although he still did not agree with what the emperor said, he began to realize that:

It is not the prerogative of upright gentlemen to distort historical materials.

Once petty people learn this, they can use the same method to articulate their fallacies.

Qian Qianyi then jumped out and said:
"Your Majesty is absolutely right. History should be written truthfully."

Zhu Xi said: Confucius simply relied on the truth of the written record, and good and evil became self-evident.

"Modern historians should study history in this way!"

Zhu Youjian nodded and said to Qian Qianyi:

"Mr. Qian's understanding is correct."

"In future historical research, we must prioritize facts. We can include both explicit and implicit information, but we must not distort or misrepresent them."

"As long as the facts are told, people will naturally be able to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong."

"When studying history, one should not make judgments without recording the facts directly."

It completely condemned the theory of moralistic history and pointed out how history should develop in the future.

These words might not have meant much to others, but Qian Qianyi was overjoyed, as they reminded him of the emperor's earlier mention of empirical history.

He had only said a few words to curry favor with the emperor, but he never expected to receive such a grand gift.

When the emperor said that historical research should prioritize facts, wasn't he referring to empirical historiography?
If he could overthrow the philosophical school of history and replace it with empirical history, Qian Qianyi's status in history might be higher than that of Sima Guang and Sima Qian.

This bright future filled him with ecstasy—

Even if he is not as good as Liu Zongzhou in classical studies, he will definitely surpass him in history.

Driven by his enthusiasm, he actively supported the emperor's empirical historiography, believing that moralistic historiography had indeed reached its end and should be replaced by a new historiography.

With him taking the lead, Chen Jiru, Chen Renxi, and others followed suit.

The theory of moral history became universally condemned, with many believing that this method of historical research should be abandoned.

The compilers of "Essential Records of Three Dynasties," including Huang Lijie, had faces that alternated between black and white.

They never imagined that their compilation, "Essential Records of Three Dynasties," would become the pinnacle of philosophical and historical studies, even condemning the discipline to death.

Even the Zizhi Tongjian was implicated, and its status began to decline.

The study of the Zizhi Tongjian, a popular field of study in the Ming Dynasty, began to decline.

Such a change left them speechless.

When they compiled the "Essential Records of Three Dynasties", they never thought of this point.

However, reflecting on how they were indeed influenced by their predecessors when compiling history, Huang Lijie and his colleagues calmed down. Thinking about the chronicle they were currently compiling, he felt a sense of pride.
Zizhi Tongjian is also a chronicle. As the status of this field of study declined, his chronicles became popular.

Perhaps in a few years, chronological history may replace the study of the Zizhi Tongjian.

Historiography in the Ming Dynasty underwent a dramatic transformation, completely breaking away from the traces of the Song Dynasty and even becoming independent of classical studies. (End of Chapter)