The Jingkang Record is a historical account written by Li Gang, a senior official in the late Northern Song. It is of exceptional value as a historical source, particularly for its firsthand record of the Jingkang Incident, when Jin forces invaded the Northern Song in 1127 and captured Emperors Huizong and Qinzong. Arranged chronologically, it details the court's responses to Jin incursions, internal debates, military strategies, and political actions from the seventh year of the Xuanhe era (1125) through the second year of the Jingkang era (1127), revealing the complexity of the Northern Song political situation and Li Gang's own political views and actions.
Li Gang witnessed the Jingkang Incident from beginning to end and served as Vice Minister of War, Right Vice Director, and commander in charge of defending the capital's four walls, among other posts. The book therefore not only records major historical events, but also reflects his views on the debate between those who favored peace and those who advocated resistance, as well as his deep concern for the country and its people. Written in plain, vivid language, the Jingkang Record recounts the Jin army's advance south, discussions within the court, the organization of defenses, Li Gang's proposals, and the court's decisions. It is an important firsthand source for understanding the politics and military affairs of the late Northern Song.
The commonly circulating edition consists of three volumes, though a simplified edition in four parts also exists. While these editions differ in length from the original, the work's chronological account and direct style remain invaluable for studying the Jingkang upheaval, Song-Jin relations, and Li Gang's place in history. For readers interested in ancient Chinese, military, and political history, it is a rare classic that combines serious historical documentation with vivid storytelling.
