The Ideal Of Order And Historical Connotation In Zheng Qiao's Tongzhi'ershilue

Zheng Qiao has been considered as a historian or philologist or phonologist in traditional academy, mainly because his work Tongzhi'ershilue has made outstanding contributions in these fields. However, another angle of touching his historical ideal and underlying contents from its macrostructure is worthwhile to try. By analyzing the structure and systematic relationships of Tongzhi'ershilue, we may understand the pivotal use of"system"in his academic practice and discuss its philosophical meanings, especially the Subjectivity displayed by all kinds of macro and micro structures. Therefore it is possible to divide Zheng Qiao's ideal of"Qiushi"(pursue the Fact) and"Huitong"(synthesis) into different levels so that we can learn the profound meanings that are firmly rooted in his idea but are easily ignored if observing from the other angles. Zheng Qiao not only studied the history knowledge but also tried to lead the knowledge construction to Historical Practice which means build a stone-firm foundation of systematic knowledge for the ideal of Order World ruled by the Sage King. From this angle, it is also worthwhile to compare Zheng Qiao with some other historians and philosophers in Chinese history, in order to clarify some potential connections and clews, and also to show how special Zheng Qiao is and how deep did he understand and practice following the way of Confucius.