Wang Fuzhi's Comprehensive Commentary on the Zizhi Tongjian

On Reading the Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance is a masterpiece of historical commentary by Wang Fuzhi, a thinker of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. He began writing it at the age of sixty-nine and completed it shortly before his death, pouring a lifetime of effort into the work, which runs to more than 600,000 characters. Based on the historical record in Sima Guang's Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, the book systematically examines the history of feudal society from the Qin dynasty through the Five Dynasties. It comprises 50 volumes, each organized by dynasty. Within each section, the emperors' names serve as headings, forming 30 sections in all, which are further divided into specific topics. Four concluding essays appear at the end. Through his judgments of historical events and figures, Wang Fuzhi analyzes the rise and fall of successive dynasties, their successes and failures, and the gains and losses involved. He seeks the patterns underlying historical change, hoping to “trace the roots of gain and loss and establish a lasting model” that might offer guidance for the nation's revival. This is not merely a history book, but Wang Fuzhi's record of reflections on history. It reflects the turmoil of the Ming-Qing transition while preserving his profound thoughts, shaped by pain and inner conflict. Wang Fuzhi condemns rulers who hoard wealth and kill indiscriminately, treacherous ministers who undermine the state and invite in the enemy, and declining scholarship that abandons fundamentals in pursuit of trivialities. His criticism spans the political, economic, and cultural spheres of successive dynasties. He also advances ideas such as “laws must change as circumstances change” and “principle and historical momentum are one,” while challenging the orthodox view of history upheld by feudal historiography. These ideas have a progressive character. However, his thinking also reflects the limitations of his era: for example, he believed that feudal rulers and established ideas could not change. Readers should therefore approach his work critically. Written with elegance, sweeping argument, and a wealth of fresh insights, On Reading the Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance offers a full portrait of Wang Fuzhi's progressive historical outlook and political thought, and stands as a treasure of traditional historical commentary.