The Collation Of Houhanshu Variorum

The Houhanshu written by Fan Ye recorded the 195 years history of East Han which began from Wang Mang overthrew by Liu Xiu to Emperor Xian of Han abdicated for Cao in details. It is highly respected as one of the First Three History Books with Shiji and Hanshu by academics for that it is broad in conception and meticulous in details with gorgeous words and comprehensive knowledge. Among the research works about Houhanshu, Houhanshu Variorum (hereinafter referred to as "Variorum") is regarded as the popular version for the rich collections of previous research achievements and the convenience of learning. However, the research of Houhanshu nowadays doesn’t match its important position that is called First Three History Books, First Four History Books and the member of 24 History Books. In addition, there is less research about "Variorum". As a result, we are supposed to do more deep research for new progress based on modern academic level, new theoretical direction and new founded materials. It is one important basic job for its literature researches and the research of Later Han’s history that we do some collation and study about "Variorum".This article takes the variorum version and the master copy of points collation version published by Zhonghua Book Company which was non-first revised by the Transport Department of Jiangnan Dong Lu, Shaoxing, Song Dynasty(collected in National Library of China, hereinafter referred to as "Shao version") as standard to revise generally. At the same time, it takes the non-first collation A version in the Northern Song Dynasty(collected in National Library of China, hereinafter referred to as "A version", one with a part missing), the non-first collation B version in the Northern Song Dynasty(collected in National Library of China, hereinafter referred to as "B version", missing the chapter 2-5), the block-printed version revised by Bailuzhou Academy in the Northern Song Dynasty(collected in National Library of China, hereinafter referred to as "Academy Version", missing the chapter 1-1) and the version of Huang Shanfu in the Southern Song Dynasty(collected in Peking University Library, hereinafter referred to as "Huang Shanfu Version") as materials to collate with each other. At last, it takes the points collation version published by Zhonghuashuju’s Company (hereinafter referred to as Revised Edition Version) as references. This article simply divides the notes of collation into four categories that "JiJie" Version is better than Shao Version, Shao Version is better than "Variorum" Version, both have mistakes and both are correct. Every category includes four aspects which are errors, missing, extra words or disorder in text. We hope we can do some basic research for "Variorum" and Houhanshu through the investigation and identification of "Variorum" Version, the book supplement for previous collation variants, the textual research and revision of block-printed version’s mistakes. Because of the time and energy, this article study emperor-empress’s record only.