Jigulu's Analysis

Si Maguang is an extraordinary historian, statesman in the Northern Song Dynasty. He served as an official from the time of Ren Zong emperor to Zhe Zong emperor in the Northern Song Dynasty.He took charge of editing a two hundred and ninety-four volumes book, named ZizhiTongjian, which was written from the third year of ZhiPing (1066) to the seventh year of YuanFeng (1084). In the time of YingZong emperor, Si Maguang presented a memorial, named LiNianTu to the emperor. In this book, he enlightened the emperor with SanDe (three qualities:benevolence, excellent judgment, valiant).And later, the LiNianTu was compiled as the second part of JiGuLu; In the time of ShenZong emperor, he presented two books, BaiGuanGongQingBiao and DaShiJi. And the two books were compiled as the third part of JiGuLu; in the time of ShenZong emperor, Si Maguang completed the book JiGuLu and submitted it to ZheZong emperor.Si Maguang wanted to provide a brisk, concise reference book for the emperor, so it is the main motivation of writing JiGuLu. Si Maguang fill wrote the earlier history of SanJiaFenJin, added LiNianTu and BaiGuanGongQingBiaoDaShiJi, this three parts were compiled into a twenty-volume book, with the name of JiGuLu.JiGuLu combined jizhuanti (history presented in a series of biographies) and annalistic style as its compilation. In processing historical materials, Si Maguang interpreted Song Dynasty with detail, but the former administration in brief. In choosing the historical events, he selected materials reflecting political gains and losses. The language in this book is brief and deep.Si Maguang's history thoughts ran through his book. He thought that the motivation for historian to write book was providing experience to the emperor. According to the book, he did not cover up the truth of the facts, on the contrary, wrote the book straightly, and focused on the role of monarch and against superstition catastrophes. In addition, the book also reflects some of his Neo-Confucianism. The relationship of the LiNianTu and ZizhiTongjian is an important issue in the academic circle.Some history records in JiGuLu are the missing historical facts of other history books. JiGuLu provides many vital materials on studying SiMagang's standpoint of ancient history, superstition catastrophes in Song Dynasty. The historians in subsequent dynasties also can learn many writing methods from this book. Otherwise, this book has several limitations, for example, the writing is too short to understand, some of the record time is wrong, some records are not correct, and the book advocates the idealism heroic conception of history. It is very necessary to carry on the systematic research on this book.