Illustrated Guide to Governance

"Zizhi Tongjian" is China's first chronological general history. Its content starts from the 23rd year of King Weilie of Zhou Dynasty (403 BC) to the 6th year of Xiande of the Later Zhou Dynasty (959 AD). It covers the historical events of sixteen dynasties and more than 1,300 years, and is divided into sixteen eras according to dynasties. That is, "Zhou Ji" (five volumes), "Qin Ji" (three volumes), "Han Ji" (60 volumes), "Wei Ji" (10 volumes), "Jin Ji" (40 volumes), "Song Ji" (16 volumes), "Qi Ji" (10 volumes), "Liang Ji" (22 volumes), "Chen Ji" (ten volumes), "Sui Ji" (eight volumes), "Tang Ji" (eighty-one volumes), "Later Liang Ji" (six volumes), "Later Tang Ji" (eight volumes), "Later Jin Ji" (six volumes), "Later Han Ji" (four volumes), "Later Zhou Ji" (five volumes). Altogether, there are 294 volumes in total, of which the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties sections account for the largest proportion.