Sima Guang was born in Tianxi, North Song Zhenzong for three years (10 19) and died in the first year of Zhezong Yuanyou (1086). Shi Jun, whose real name is, was born in Suishui Village, Xiaxian County, Shaanxi Province in the Northern Song Dynasty. In the third year of Xining (1070), because of his different political views from Wang Anshi, he insisted on resigning as a Tang emissary and got to know Yongxing Army (now Xi City, Shaanxi Province) as a bachelor in Duanming Temple. The following year, he was sentenced to Xijing Yushitai and retired to Luoyang, specializing in writing history 15. Zhezong ascended the throne, came to power after he was tall, and called Sima Guang to be the prime minister (left servant and assistant minister of Shangshu). He was posthumously given a surname, named Wen Guogong and Shi.

Sima Guang's family is an official, and his father Sima Chi is a famous minister of the Qing Dynasty in Baoyuan, Song Renzong. He was a doctor from the Ministry of War to Tianzhangge. He was honest and kind all his life and enjoyed a high reputation. Influenced by his family, Sima Guang is sincere and studious. Seven-year-old, awe-inspiring adult, can you get its purpose by smelling Zuo's Spring and Autumn Annals? , since then,? I don't know hunger, thirst, cold and heat. /kloc-the article written at the age of 0/5 was praised? The language is pure and muddy, with Western Han style? At the age of 20, he was promoted to the first place in the Jinshi, which can be described as early fame. But he doesn't accept this? Exaggerate ambition, Kunming is doing things, for example, what if there is no one? , but boldly put forward: Sages in the world will do righteousness, do righteousness, show people with virtue, and spread evil with falsehood! ? These words reflect the mind and knowledge of young Sima Guang, and he is determined to make contributions with benevolence and not seek false reputation. As a result, Sima Guang, who entered the official career, continued his extensive and in-depth study and reached a profound level in erudition, music, calendar, astronomy and skills. Among them, the hardest study is the study of Confucian classics and history. Especially _ reading ancient books is very extensive, and the investigation is very detailed, which can be said to be familiar. He took notes while reading. At the age of 26, he wrote as many as 30 historical notes, from which he sprouted the idea of reducing the vast ancient history into a chronological general history to facilitate reading. The deeper motivation was the needs of feudal politics.

At that time, it was nearly a hundred years since the founding of the Northern Song Dynasty, and various crises had emerged. Sima Guang has a strong Confucianism. He treats the world with a positive attitude and has made a series of remarks on his ideas of governing the country many times. He generally regarded talent, courtesy, benevolence and trust as the fundamental measures for Anbang to govern the country, which was of positive significance at that time. In addition to stating your own opinions, you can also adhere to principles and actively implement decision-making strategies that are beneficial to the country in your political activities. Especially in the struggle between recommending sages and reprimanding sages, he argued face to face and never cared about personal safety. He is called the minister of the country, and Zong Shen also said with emotion: Like light, it is right to be around forever. ?

During JaeHee's Ning political reform, there were serious differences between Sima Guang and Wang Anshi, who presided over the political reform. As far as the dedication to the country is concerned, the two are consistent, but they are biased in specific measures. Wang Anshi mainly focused on the financial and military problems at that time and solved the urgent need through drastic economic and military reform measures. Sima Guang, on the other hand, believes that in the period of persistence, people's thoughts should be bound within the constraints of the original system through the rectification of ethical norms. Even if it is reformed, it must be safe. Governing the world, such as a bedroom, we will repair it, and we will not build it if it is not a big bad one. Because? If you make a big mistake and then correct it, it will be good workmanship and good materials. Now that you have nothing, I am afraid of the wind and rain. . Sima Guang's thought is conservative; But it's actually a kind of. Ordinary? On the basis of the reform strategy. Judging from the deviation and improper employment in Wang Anshi's political reform, it proves that Sima Guang is politically sophisticated and mature, but he is not as mature as Wang Anshi except for his courage.

In the case of different political views and difficulties in cooperation, Sima Guang retired to Luoyang and compiled historical works to extract the lessons of governing the country from the success or failure of history. Let the viewer blame himself for good and evil gains and losses? . It should be said that Sima Guang's writing history is another way for him to govern the country from politics. As early as the Jiayou period in Song Renzong (1056 1063), he discussed with Liu Shu. I want to entrust it to King Zhou Weilie, who ordered Zhao Hanwei to be his vassal country. It lasted for five generations. Because of the chronological style of Qiu Ming, he imitated Xun Yue's short essays, snared old sayings, and made a family statement. ? This shows that when he was in his thirties, he had already brewed the scale of Tongjian. Song Yingzong recorded 25 volumes in the first year of Zhiping (1064), and eight volumes were recorded two years later, indicating that he made it after political activities. His book was praised and supported by Song Yingzong and Song Shenzong, and Song Yingzong agreed that he should set up a publishing house and choose his own official, so Zongshen used this book? In view of the past, do you have the resources for governance? It was named Tongzhi Sword, and made a preface to show its importance. Zongshen not only allowed Sima Guang to borrow all the books and materials in the country, but also gave 3,400 old books of Yingdi to Sima Guang for reference. The cost of pens, ink, silks, silks, fruit bait money and so on required for repairing books was provided by the state, which provided favorable conditions for him to write books.

Sima Guang wrote history, and also chose Liu (unknown), Fan Zuyu and others as assistants. They were all first-class historians at that time, and they shared Sima Guang's views on politics and history, so they could show their talents and work together to compile books. The success of Tongjian can not be separated from their efforts, but it is also the careful writings of Sima Guang, the editor-in-chief, that determine that Tongjian will finally reach its brilliant peak. As his son Liu said: ancestors in the bookstore, only smell deeds, happy to grow up, its right and wrong to seize, a practical. ?

The compilation of Tong Jian can be roughly divided into three steps: 1. Arrange clusters; Second, write a long series; Third, delete and modify the final version. The first two steps are completed by the assistant under the guidance of the editor-in-chief, and the third step is completed by the editor-in-chief. After the editor-in-chief took out the examples of the book, Sima Guang emphasized the following specific methods and principles in the compilation process:

First, strict selection of materials. Use materials as widely as possible and put forward? Would rather fail in complexity than in omission? The contents of the selected historical materials focus on the rise and fall of the country, the gains and losses of policies, and the morality of the monarch and his subjects. The purpose is to provide reference for governing the country and reflect the people's feelings. In this way, in addition to the official history, more than 300 kinds of historical materials such as unofficial history, genealogical records, collections and biographical epitaphs were collected. The long version has more than 650o volumes and more than 30 million words.

Second, careful textual research. Only truth has value, and only value can be used for reference. Any historian should research historical materials when writing history, and Sima Guang not only included the selected historical materials in the scope of research, but also explained all kinds of statements and reasons for identification one by one, and wrote 30 volumes of Textual Research of Tongjian, which was submitted together with Tongjian. Because of the different exams? Choose seclusion, school plan? Strict attitude greatly enhances the reliability and authenticity of historical works. Tongjian is famous for its faithfulness in history, and it cannot be separated from the auxiliary role of textual criticism. This way of writing history was used by later historians, and the Ganjia school, which was good at textual research of historical facts in Qing Dynasty, developed along this road.

Third, compile a catalogue. Tongjian recorded the historical facts of 16 dynasty, 1362. It is a masterpiece with 294 volumes. In order to facilitate the review, 30 volumes of Tongjian Catalogue were compiled. Because of the age, China ancient chronological history books have no titles, and they are only searched by year. Sima Guang broke through this old example, integrating chronology, imperial history, calendar, astronomical phenomena, catalogue, abstract and index, creating a new style of multi-functional catalogue of chronological history books, improving the style of Tong Jian, and pushing Chinese history to a new level.

Fourth, improve the historical style. Chronological notes are concise, but due to time constraints, historical events are delayed and separated, which makes it difficult to reflect the whole picture. Sima Guang paid attention to absorbing the advantages of biographical style. In order to explain the cause and effect, he used a variety of writing methods, such as serialization, main load, attached narrative, retrospective narrative, supplementary narrative and so on. It has the nature of organizing materials with events as clues, showing a trend of breaking through the chronological style and brewing the end of the chronicle, which has important enlightenment significance for Shu Yuan to compile Zi Zhi Tong Jian The End of the Chronicle in the Southern Song Dynasty. This change gave new vitality to the ancient chronicle style, and later imitations followed, forming a chronicle book system from ancient times to the present. In this system, Tong Jian is written as a general history, so why not? Find out the reason for the change and seek the trace of evolution? And the society since the Tang and Song Dynasties? Main light change? In line with the trend of thought, but also in line with? Take history as a mirror? The purpose is the same.

Fifth, the processing was passed. Writing books in groups is prone to fragmentation and complexity due to different styles. However, the language style of Tong Jian is as seamless as a person, which is the result of Sima Guang's careful adaptation and processing. Sima Guang, with profound writing skills, is especially good at narration. He writes leisurely and the story is clear. His writing style is elegant and simple, and his style is quaint, rich and concise. It's really unique and unique. Many scenes and descriptions of characters have become famous works in the history of literature, while the descriptions of large-scale wars, such as Battle of Red Cliffs and Surabaya, are even more popular and fascinating, surpassing all other historical records and becoming' excellent' historical prose.

Sixth, write a postscript. It has become a tradition for China historians to praise and criticize and admonish. Sima Guang's Essays in the Mirror is not only numerous, but also very long. There are more than 180 articles in the book, of which more than 80 are quoted by others, and the rest are all handwritten. Most of the discussions are about the causes of chaos, and the way of monarch and minister is to discuss current events on the basis of previous historical comments and notes. Between the lines, it is full of sincerity and emotion, contains praise and criticism, and reflects the good intentions of remonstrating because of things. Whether it is the national issue or the principle of employing people, it puts forward the historical reference to get rid of the disadvantages according to the present situation, which has certain theoretical and practical significance. What is even more ingenious is that so many attached theories and the arrangement of the contents of Tong Jian are so integrated and inseparable that they become a reality? Zizhi? The crowning touch of this historical purpose. A historical masterpiece with detailed content, exquisite writing, vivid narration, profound discussion and simple style has finally been completed. The efforts made by the editor-in-chief Sima Guang are incalculable. In Jin Tong Jian Biao, he said:? Study hard, do everything, lack of vision, stay up late. ? It was seen that there were as many as two rooms in their residual manuscripts, all in small print, and every word was very careful, and no word was scribbled. When this book was written, Sima Guang, 66, was already? Bones are dry, vision is blurred, teeth are scarce, and God's knowledge is consumed. What you are doing now has been forgotten? Yes Therefore, he devoted his whole life to this book, and also pinned his desire to govern the country. He earnestly hopes that the emperor can? In view of the rise and fall of past lives, the gains and losses of ancient and modern times, Jiashan repented, giving up the root and chasing the end. Is it based on the virtue of the past, and is it the best way to rule, so that all people in the world can be blessed? . So he just ... Although the bones are dead, there is no end to ambition? . Doesn't this mean that writing history is another way of running a country in politics?

In fact, the writing significance of Tong Jian has gone far beyond the author's original intention. It not only provides the rulers with? Zizhi? For reference, but also for the reference of the whole society, for Hu Sansheng's deep attention to this reason. He said:? Tong Jian does not specifically record the traces of the rebellion, but it is particularly detailed in music, calendar, astronomy, geography and so on. Readers are like mice drinking water in the river, each taking what he needs. ? Wang Mingsheng in Qing Dynasty also said:? This indispensable book between heaven and earth is also a must-read book for readers? . The history of nearly a thousand years has proved that Tongjian has always been called a historical treasure like Historical Records, which has been widely circulated and taught the public. There are many researchers, which makes it a specialized knowledge, namely? General study? . Nowadays, the study of general mirror is being carried out at multiple levels and angles, which will provide more reference for human progress. This development trend was unexpected by Sima Guang and the inevitable result of his outstanding contribution.

Sima Guang wrote a lot in his life. In the series of Zi Zhi Tong Jian, there are 80 volumes of Zi Zhi Tong Jian, 7 volumes of Li Shu, 20 volumes of Gu Zhi Lu, and 6 volumes of the Table of Officials and Ministers of the Dynasty. In addition, there are other 20 books with more than 200 volumes, which are the results of his research and writing on China's history, Confucian classics, philosophy and even medical poems. The main representative works are Hanlin Poetry Talk, Notes on China's Ancient Filial Piety, Yi Shuo, Notes on Xuan Jing, Notes on Yangzi, Notes on Yi Shu, Notes on Mountain Residence, etc.

Although Sima Guang is enthusiastic about governing the country, he has no more opportunities to directly participate in politics because of his different political views. It was not until Song Shenzong died in the eighth year of Song Yuanfeng (1085) that Sima Guang, 67, was welcomed back to the palace with the wave of demanding the abolition of the new law and took the position of minister. Yuan You is more cultured? Do a new law. He was in power for a year and a half, worked day and night, and died after exhausting his life's efforts. The bad news came out. Tens of millions of people went on strike in Beijing, hanged themselves, dressed and drunk, and cried in the alley to pass by? When the coffin was sent to Xia County, was it sent to attend the funeral? People cry for the public, if they cry for the private. Tens of thousands of people will be buried in four directions. . As for portrait commemoration? Every family in the world hangs an elephant, and the rice must have a wish? . It is rare for a prime minister of a feudal society to be so widely and sincerely mourned by the people, and it is also a historical necessity.