When Sima Guang was seven years old, he was handsome and distinguished, and he was already like an adult. I like it very much to hear others explain Zuo's Spring and Autumn Annals. When I get home and tell my family what I have heard, I can make clear the general meaning of Zuo's Spring and Autumn Annals. Later, I have been studying so hard that sometimes I forget hunger and cold.
Minister Yan Guang said: For the first time, I sorted out the deeds of monarchs and ministers in past dynasties, and was awarded the title of "Purple Tongzhi Sword" by decree. Now I have finished it. Fu Nianchen is ignorant by nature, poor academically and inferior in everything he does. Independent of the previous history, I wholeheartedly taste it, and I never tire of listening to it since I was a child. Since the relocation and merger, there are many words that people who wear their own clothes have never read. Man can conquer nature, and there are thousands of opportunities every day, so why look around! I often don't smoke myself. I want to cut down redundancy, quote secrets and make a book about the rise and fall of the country, which is related to people's lives. Good can be the law, evil can be the precept. Make it coherent, thin and thick, thin and thin, with nothing to do. When I met Emperor Yingzong, I was wise by nature, applied the rule of civilization, thought about the past and thought about the future, and made a big speech with restoration. I loved to write letters to ministers and make them easy to compile. I once got what I wanted, but I was afraid I couldn't say it. The first emperor still ordered him to choose his own official, set up a bureau in Chongwen Academy, and promised to borrow books such as Dragon Map, Tianzhangge, Sanguan and Secret Pavilion, and gave the court ink and silk and court money as fruit bait, which was borne by my minister. I was honored as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the book did not enter the imperial palace, and the first emperor violated the minister. Your majesty respects the big system, inherits the first ambition, favors the crown order and enjoys the reputation of tin. Every time a banquet is given, he is often asked to read it. Although I am stupid, the Dutch and the Dutch dynasty know that I am so kind, and I lost my body and yuan. I didn't report enough. How dare I leave it? You will know little about Yongxing Army, and you will not be asked to treat drama because of your illness. You will be redundant in begging. Your majesty did what he wanted, and he got a generous gift. He was sentenced to stay in Xijing as an imperial adviser and was promoted to six positions in Chongfu Palace in Songshan. He still listened to the bookstore and gave it a rank of Lu, but he was not responsible for his career. I have nothing else to do. I can study hard and do everything. The power is insufficient during the day, followed by the night. Reading old history, adopting side novels, simple and full of books, vast and secluded, and having a good school plan. From the Warring States to the Five Dynasties, 1362 completed 294 volumes.
Minister Sima Yanguang said: In the past, I compiled the deeds of emperors and ministers by imperial edict. Soon, the imperial edict named it "Purple Tongzhi Sword". Now, the book has been completely finalized. I am ignorant and reckless, and I am more academic. Everything I do is below others. Just for the sake of history, I have a love for my heart, and my hobbies are tireless from young to old. I deeply feel that since Sima Qian and Ban Gu, there are more and more historical records, and ordinary people have plenty of time, but they can't finish reading them. What's more, a powerful king is very busy, how can he have leisure? I have always had an ambition to sort out, delete unnecessary nonsense, extract the essence, and compile a chronicle of political behavior related to the rise and fall of the country and the joys and sorrows of the people. Good can be the law and evil can be the precept. Production order, clear presentation, content length, complexity and appropriateness. I can't start because of my poor personal resources. Fortunately, I met Emperor Yingzong (Zhao Zongshi, Song Taizu). He was smart and wise, cared about the promotion of culture, and wanted to know about ancient political affairs as a basis for formulating national plans and policies. I ordered it specially and taught me to start making it up. The wishes of the past, suddenly can play, jubilant, unable to control themselves. The only fear is that I am too ignorant and incompetent. My late emperor (Zhao Zongshi, the fifth emperor) also ordered me to find my own assistant and set up an editorial department in Chongwen Academy, allowing me to borrow books from libraries such as Longtuge, Tianzhangge, Sanguan (Zhao Wenguan, Jixian Pavilion and National History Pavilion) and Secret Pavilion. And send the royal pen, ink, paper and inkstone, especially to reward and buy fruit snacks. And appointed eunuchs as liaison officers, who could report directly to the late emperor. The depth of gratitude and affection is unprecedented in modern times. Unfortunately, before this book was submitted, the first emperor died. Your Majesty (Zhao Yong, the sixth emperor) succeeded to the Great System, and also inherited the will, issued a preface and personally named the book. I am often ordered to read it when I give lectures at the headquarters. Although I am ignorant, I was treated so well by two emperors that I couldn't repay a thousand even if I was killed. As long as you have enough ability, how dare you be lazy? At that time, the government sent me as the acting commander of Yongxing (Xi City, Shaanxi Province). Unable to do heavy work due to illness, I requested to be transferred to other official positions. Your Majesty took the overall situation into consideration and agreed to my request. He appointed me as the supervisor of Xijing (Luoyang City, Henan Province) left-behind government (sentenced to Xijing left-behind Yushitai) and concurrently served as the administrator of Xijing Songshan Chongfu Palace (promoted to Xijing Songshan Chongfu Palace). After six transfers, the editorial department was allowed to move with me. And only pay the funds, and never agree to hand in the results on time. I didn't have other important things, so I devoted all my energy, studied hard and tried my best. The day is not enough, followed by night. Not only chose the official history, but also unofficial history (novel), and the letters and documents on the side were piled up. We explore the historical truth in the most secret places and correct every word. From the Warring States to the Five Dynasties, 1362 has 294 volumes.