New Study On Xun Yue's Ideas Of Historiography

Xun Yue who is known as a famous historian & political writer in the Eastern Han Dynasty is such a vital person that has played an essential role on the development history of China's historiography. So it is quite necessary to further study Xun Yue's ideas of historiography. Xun Yue's ideas of historiography mainly consist of historians' understanding towards objective history and historiography-related work. This article chooses Xun Yue's two works Historical Records of Western Han Dynasty and Reiteration of Historical Experience as the research objects. It is to carry out new study on Xun Yue's ideas of historiography concerning three aspects that scholars have never proposed.I. Xun Yue's ideas of administering affairs mainly include as the rulers and the ministers thoughts that focus on Enlightened rulers and loyal ministers, human affairs ideas by criticizing Chen Wei, Governing thoughts that respect teaching and laws, and salvation thoughts that propose one's faults or shortcomings.Firstly, Xun Yue put emphasis on the rulers and the ministers thoughts , which goal lies in restores the rulers and the ministers relations that encounters the heavy damage , establishes the perfect dominant pattern of enlightened rulers and loyal ministers , Completes the great undertaking that revives the Han Dynasty. Secondly, Xun Yue hoped that by criticizing Chen Wei, the monarch could promote integrity and reject hypocrisy so as to wake up from Chen Wei's fantasy dream and dedicate his vigor to the state affairs. Thirdly, Xun Yue valued the role of etiquettes on governing country extremely emphasized that etiquettes should be protected relying on legal education, and put forward ruling theory by both law and morality, performing favor and punishment at the proper time and prevailing etiquettes. Finally, Xun Yue proposed one's faults or shortcomings for the purpose of salvation. This is an effective recipe Xun Yue prescribed for Han Xiandi.II. Xun Yue's orthodox thoughts mainly include the thoughts of successive morality with Han Dynasty's promotion for Yao's moralities, destiny thoughts of divine right, promotion on Han Dynasty thoughts of living up to one's name.Firstly, Xun Yue applied De Run's thoughts of "Han Dynasty's promotion for Yao's moralities" and the inter-promoting dynasties based on the five elements of metal, water, wood, fire and earth to demonstrate Han Dynasty's orthodox position. Secondly, Xun Yue advocated the destiny thoughts of "divine right", which has played a positive role in rebuilding the divinity of Han Dynasty's regime, and also made Xun Yue indulge into the historical fatalism. Xun Yue's promotion on Han Dynasty aimed to embody Han Dynasty's orthodox position. In the social environment of that time, it mainly focuses on living up to one's name, which helps maintain Han Dynasty's orthodox position to some extent. However, in order to achieve his objective, he prettified the historical facts that undermine Han Dynasty. This technique of writing with implicit words has violated the spirit of writing the truth.III. Xun Yue's national ideologies mainly consist of ethno-history compilation thoughts of Han and surrounding ethnic minorities, national origin thoughts of cognation and co-existence thoughts of distinctive nations.Firstly, in Historical Records of Western Han Dynasty, Xun Yue regarded "affairs of Chinese nation" and "surrounding ethnic minorities" as significant parts of the history book. This shows that Xun Yue's rigorous attitude when compiling the history book, reasonable arrangement towards the historical materials of ethnic minorities as well as his excellent "capability of compiling the history book". Secondly, as for the origin of nations, Xun Yue insisted on the national origin thoughts of cognation, which has actively facilitated the national solidarity and unity. In addition, as for the national co-existence thoughts, Xun Yue insisted on the principle of strict distinction between the inside and outside. He advocated the strategy of orderly co-existence between Han and surrounding ethnic minorities, trying peaceful means before resorting to force, and taking proper measures towards surrounding ethnic minorities at different time. In fact, this reflects big-nation chauvinism.