What can we learn from Zi Tong Zhi Jian?

Zi Tong Zhi Jian (often referred to as Tong Jian) is a multi-volume chronological history book edited by Sima Guang in the Northern Song Dynasty, with a total of 294 volumes, which took 19 years to complete. Mainly based on time and events, it began in the 23rd year of Zhou Weilie (403 BC) and ended in the 6th year of Xiande, Zhou Shizong after the Five Dynasties (959 AD), covering the history of 16 dynasties and 1362 years. In this book, the editor summed up many experiences and lessons for the rulers to learn from. Song Shenzong thinks that this book is "in view of the past, it has the resources for governance", that is, to strengthen the rule by taking historical gains and losses as a warning, so it is named "Managing with Capital".

History as a Mirror is a great work written by Sima Guang. He believes that the monarch is in charge of the government and the wise way is the starting point. The so-called "cutting to length, collecting secrets, focusing on the rise and fall of the country, caring for the people, doing good for the law, and taking evil as a warning" is a book for the purpose of chronicle, making it coherent and refined. .

Purple Tongzhi Sword is recorded in culture, science and technology, economy and military affairs. In terms of culture, as far as academic thoughts are concerned, the representative figures and academic opinions of Confucianism, Buddhism, Yin and Yang, vertical and horizontal, vertical and horizontal, the thought of Huang Lao in the early Han Dynasty, the exclusive respect of Confucianism by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and the prevalence of metaphysics in Wei and Jin Dynasties are all recorded. It also describes the origin and development of Buddhism and Taoism, and the struggle between Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. This paper systematically discusses the development of Confucian classics, the collation of ancient books, the engraving of stone classics and the engraving of nine classics since the Western Han Dynasty. Famous scholars and their works are also recorded.

In terms of science and technology, the calendars of past dynasties recorded the most. Others such as astronomy, geography, civil buildings (such as the Great Wall in Qin Dynasty, Chang 'an City in Sui and Tang Dynasties, Luoyang City) and water conservancy projects (the Grand Canal in Sui Dynasty) are also reflected.

The Book "Learning from the Same Resources" also pays attention to economic records, because land tax and taxation are the primary problems of feudal economy. Therefore, it records Shang Yang's political reform, the rule of Wenjing, and the land equalization system of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

As for the military records, "Learning from the Same Resources" is also very prominent, and the description of the war is also very vivid. Every major battle, the cause of the war, the analysis of the war situation, the process of the war and its influence are recorded in detail. For example, the battle between Battle of Red Cliffs and Feishui is a prominent example. -Common sense literature.