The Study On Zhang Zhao's Historical Research

Zhang Zhao or Zhang Zhaoyuan,as a famous historian in the period of the Five Dynasty and Early Song Dynasty,had been an official of five dynasties from the Later Tang Dynasty to the Northern Song Dynasty.When he was young,he had learned from his family.He changed the classics studies into history research.He was learned with a surge of erudition and keen on history.Besides,he had kept a record of history events and the previous saints'speeches and behaviors.Thus he was highly regarded of the talented history ability.He had written abundant books of history not only in the history of the former generation such as Jiu Tangshu,but also in the Five Dynasty's true records including the Chronological Record of Later Tang Yizu,Xianzu,Taizu,Later Tang Zhuang Zong True Records,the Biographies of Meritorious Statesmen in Zhuang Zong Dynasty,Later Tang Ming Zong True Records,Later Tang Min Di True Records,Later Tang Fei Di True Records,Later Han Yin Di True Records and Later Zhou Tai Zu True Records,the volume number of which totaled 175.In addition,he had also written the Famous Officials' Story and other books in his life.However,except Jiu Tong Shu is remained by the supplement of the latter generation,the Five Dynasty's true records he had written were all lost and we can only see some lost copies in Ce Fu Yuan Gui,Wu Dai Hui Yao,Jiu Wu Dai Shi,Tai Ping Yu Lan,Tong Jian Kao Yi,etc.By carding the remained historical literature recordation,it shows Zhang Zhao's view about the compiling of the history book that he can take an examination of its beginning and ending and ups and downs according to the order of Kings' acceding to the throne by following the system of Tang Dynasty,that he compiled the history of the former generation and true records by using biographical and chronological methods skillfully,and that he can consult and cite historical documents extensively and widely and do some textual researches and corrections in order to indicate the historical facts on the basis of widely searching and collecting historical materials.On the conception of history and historical thoughts,he can summarize historical experience and lessons and glorify virtue and censure vice to educate the people of the world;he can use the past to allude to the present in order to persuade the king to take history as a mirror;he can respect facts and ask for different opinions based on true history so as to write the truth without fear and take the straight path.However,there are some drawbacks in his history books inevitably such as making a deceptive display and concealing the truth.