Wang Fuzhi's Comprehensive Reading of "Tongjianlun"

"Du Tongjian Lun" is a masterpiece of historical theory written by Wang Fuzhi, a thinker in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. He started writing the book at the age of 69 and completed it before his death. It is a reflection of his lifelong efforts and the book has more than 600,000 words. This book is based on the historical facts contained in Sima Guang's "Zizhi Tongjian" and systematically comments on the history of feudal society from Qin to Five Dynasties. There are 50 volumes in total. Each volume is divided according to the dynasty. Each dynasty is headed by the name of the emperor, with a total of 30 headings. The topics are subdivided under them, and four narrative chapters are attached at the end of the volume. Wang Fuzhi used his criticism of historical events and characters to deeply analyze the rise and fall of the past dynasties, as well as the gains and losses, and explore the laws of historical development and evolution, hoping to "examine the origins of gains and losses and establish a pattern" to provide reference for national rejuvenation. It is not a simple historical work, but Wang Fuzhi's historical meditation. It not only reflects the turbulent history during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but also reflects his deep reflections on the pain and ambivalence. Wang Fuzhi criticized the monarch's aggregation and indiscriminate killing, denounced treacherous officials and led wolves into the house, criticized the decline of academic style, and neglected the fundamentals, etc., Covering almost all political, economic, cultural and other fields of the past dynasties. At the same time, he put forward views such as "things change as the situation changes, and the law must change" and "the unity of reason and trend", criticizing the "orthodoxy" of feudal history, which is of progressive significance. However, due to the limitations of the times, Wang Fuzhi's thoughts are also conservative. For example, he believes that feudal monarchs and ideological concepts cannot be changed, and they need to be viewed dialectically when reading. "Du Tongjian Lun" is full of literary talent, horizontal discussions, and new ideas. It comprehensively demonstrates Wang Fuzhi's progressive historical view and political and ideological tendencies. It can be called a treasure in traditional historical theory.