A Study In Bei Lu Kao In Si Yi Kao By Ye Xianggao

Abstract: Bei Lu Kao in Si Yi Kao is a book of Mongolian history, written by Ye Xianggao in Ming Dynasty. It is also one of special study in systematic description of Mongolian historical facts. It delineates Mongolian historical facts and the relationship between Mongolia and Ming Dynasty, beginning from first year of HongWu era(1368) and end of LongQing era(1572). In the late Ming Dynasty, society is turbulent and complex. Therefore, Ye Xianggao wrote Si Yi Kao for direction of frontier affairs. Owing to the author's important social status and profound knowledge, this book employs abundant materials and attracts more attention. However, in exploration and utilization of Chinese Mongolian historical documents of Ming Dynasty, academic circle mainly draws materials form Ming Shi Lu or Huang Ming Bei Lu Kao by Zheng Xiao but seldom utilizes Si Yi Kao. For involving Jurchen history, Si Yi Kao was once listed banned book in Qing Dynasty. Thus it influenced the spread of this book. Now there are mainly three editions, which was WanLi block printed edition, sequel of Yan Bao Tang Mi Ji edition and edition by Civilization Publishing house in the Republic of China. Taking Bei Lu Kao as object of study, this thesis makes textual criticism and explores its historical origin. Moreover, the historical significance of Bei Lu Kao greatly lies in its historical sources. This thesis proves that its historical sources mainly are the following books: Ming Shi Lu, Huang Ming Bei Lu Kao, Shu Yu Zhou Zi Lu, Bei Lu Shi Mo Zhi, Geng Xu Shi Mo Zhi, Anda Qian Zhi , Anda Hou Zhi , memorials to the throne in Ming Dynasty and documents in Grand Secretary. As other literatures, there are several errors in Bei Lu Kao, for instance, errors in time and records of figures and events. Corroborated by other literatures, this thesis demonstrates errors in Bei Lu Kao. In addition to Bei Lu Kao, there are Huang Ming Bei Lu Kao, Shu Yu Zhou Zi Lu and Xu Wen Xian Tong Kao, and all these books are about Mongolian written by authors in Ming Dynasty. Compared with books above-mentioned, Bei Lu Kao is an important data which is different to other materials for Mongolian historical studies. Therefore, it is of high historical value and great significance and it is an important book to study Mongolia in Ming Dynasty.