Though history is a record of facts, how to record them is up to the author. And through the records of history reflecting the author’s intention, people understand and recognize the times. This study seeks to study with what kinds of intention Ouyang ...
Though history is a record of facts, how to record them is up to the author. And through the records of history reflecting the author’s intention, people understand and recognize the times. This study seeks to study with what kinds of intention Ouyang Xiu’s New History of the Five Dynasties was published and how his intention was reflected on the inclusion, exclusion, placement, and editing of materials.
The procedure for compiling <New History of the Five Dynasties> is divided in two parts. First, OuYang Xiu deleted large parts of <Old History of the Five Dynasties>. The <Old History of the Five Dynasties> was bulky and contained a great variety of data, so it couldn't provide clear lessons about right and wrong to readers. OuYang Xiu deleted many parts of the <Old History of the Five Dynasties> and retained mainly those parts that could clearly suggest right and wrong. Second, added some new parts that was not in <Old History of the Five Dynasties>. The <Old History of the Five Dynasties> was compiled based on the annals of the Five Dynasties. In consequence, there weren't various sources of data and it represented the positions of the government, so sensitive parts were removed. To complement it, OuYang Xiu adopted many parts from the records of ‘Xiao-Shuo(小說).’ ‘Xiao-Shuo’ mentioned in this paper is not a novel in the sense of a current genre of literature, but ‘bi-ji (miscellaneous notes)’ of stories, or rumors which people were talking a great deal about in the traditional Chinese society.
While compiling <New History of the Five Dynasties>, OuYang xiu could refer to all of annals of the Five Dynasties. He, however, adopted ‘Xiao-Shuo’ as an important source of data, instead of annals whose accuracy were guaranteed. 'Xiao-Shuo' was considered as being inaccurate and unreliable, so wise men(君子) shoud not familiar with it. OuYang xiu know that the data of ‘Xiao-Shuo’ was lacking in accuracy and objectivity. For all that, OuYang xiu adopted the data of ‘Xiao-Shuo’, thinking that it was effective for conveying warnings and lessons. People had to be protected from groundless and absurd rumors that just stirred curiosity. That which represented public opinions and enhanced Confucian values could be useful. Stories of loyal subjects, devoted son, women who kept their chastity, treasonous subjects and children who were not filial were effective means to promote Confucian values. Those stories could be adopted from folk rumors, legends and 'Xiao-Shuo', not from official historical records of the government. OuYang Xiu compiled the <New History of the Five Dynasties> not to accurately record facts. For him, history was about suggesting clear lessons and warnings about right and wrong and ‘Xiao-Shuo’ satisfied such a purpose.