TheOld History of the Five Dynasties (Chinese:舊五代史;pinyin:Jiù Wǔdài Shǐ) was an official history mainly focusing onFive Dynasties era (907–960), which controlled much of northernChina. And it also includes some history of other south states during the era. It was compiled by theSong dynasty official-scholarXue Juzheng in the first two decades of the Song dynasty, which was founded in 960. It is one of theTwenty-Four Histories recognized through Chinese history.
The book comprises 150 chapters, and was in effect divided into 7 books, they are:Book of Liang (24 volume),Book of Tang (50 volume),Book of Jin (24 volume),Book of Han (11 volume),Book of Zhou (22 volume),Liezhuan (7 volume) andZhi (12 volume), respectively. After theNew History of the Five Dynasties byOuyang Xiu was published, it was no longer popular. In the 12th century it was removed from the Imperial Library and was no longer published by order of theJin dynasty. The book was lost during this period.[1]
During the 18th century,Qing dynasty scholars found many complete quotes of the book inYongle Da Dian. They extracted them and together with other sources of the same period, they were able to largely reconstruct the book, although missing a few chapters. Despite rumours that copies of the original book exist, none have been found.
The primary purpose ofThe Five Dynasties History was to establish the claim of the Song dynasty to theMandate of Heaven, essentially the divine right to rule the Chinese realm. The Song dynasty took over control of northernChina from the last of the Five Dynasties, the Later Zhou. From there, they conquered southern China to eventually rule all but the northern fringe ofChina known as theSixteen Prefectures, which was under the control of theKhitanLiao dynasty. Xue sought to establish the claim of theSong dynasty to the Mandate of Heaven through the succession of the Five Dynasties.
Xue argued that as each of these five dynasties controlled the traditional heart of China and held territory vastly larger than any of the kingdoms to the south, the Mandate naturally flowed through these dynasties.
In establishing the path of the Mandate through from the Tang dynasty to the Song dynasty through the Five Dynasties, there are several issues that Xue Zhucheng had to address. The first of these was the brutality exercised by the Later Liang, the first of the five dynasties.Zhu Wen's brutality led many to want to exclude that dynasty from the Mandate of Heaven due to the requirement that the leader work with benevolence.
Another issue had to do with the middle three, the Later Tang, Later Jin, and Later Han respectively. None of these wereHan Chinese ruled dynasties, but were led byShatuo.
The final major hurdle was related to the ability to rule all of China. While each of these five dynasties held more territory than any of the other Chinese polities of the era, none of them had a realistic chance of conquering the southern kingdoms and uniting the entire realm.
Xue's work provides valuable historical information regarding the Five Dynasties that ruled most of northern China from 907 to 960, relied on by historians today for much of what is known about this period ofChinese history.
However, another legacy of the book is the use of official histories to strengthen claims to the Mandate of Heaven, including the bending of historical fact to suit the needs of the patron dynasty. Although this was not the first instance of distorting history to legitimize ruling claims (both within and outside China), the work strengthened this trend in Chinese history.
In addition, the book was used to legitimize foreign dynasties, which set up the justification[citation needed] for laterconquest dynasties that would control much of China's destiny for most of the next millennium.
Volume 008Book of Liang 8 Modi (last emperor)Benji first volume –Zhu Youzhen
volume009Book of Liang 9 Modi (last emperor)Benji second volume – Zhu Youzhen
Volume 010Book of Liang 10 Modi (last emperor)Benji second volume – Zhu Youzhen
Volume 011Book of Liang 11 ConsortLiezhuan 1 – Empress Wenhui dowager, of Wang clan (文惠王太后)．Empress YuanzhenZhang clan．Consort De, of Zhang clan (张德妃)
Volume 012 Book of Liang 12 Imperial familyLiezhuan 2 – Zhu Quanyu (朱全昱), the Prince of Guang．Zhu Youliang．Zhu Youneng (朱友能), the Prince of Hui．Zhu Youhui (朱友诲), the Prince of Shao．Zhu Youning (朱友宁)．the Prince of An．Zhu Younlun (朱友伦), the Prince of Mi．Zhu Younyu (朱友裕), the Prince of Chen．Zhu Younwen (朱友文), the Prince of Bo．Zhu Yougui, Shuren (common people)．Zhu Younwen (朱友璋), the Prince of Fu．Zhu Younyong (朱友雍), the Prince of He．Zhu Younhui (朱友徽), the Prince of Jian．Zhu Younzi (朱友徽), the Prince of Kang
Volume 016Book of Liang 16Liezhuan 6 –Ge Congzhou．Xie Yanzhang (谢彦章), Hu Zhen (胡真), Zhang Guiba, Zhang Guihou, Zhang Guibian
Volume 017Book of Liang 17Liezhuan 7 – Cheng-bend, Du Hong, Zhong Chuan, Tian Jun, Zhu Yanshou, Zhao Kuangning, Zhang Ji, Lei Man
Volume 018Book of Liang 18Liezhuan 8 – Zhang Wenwei, Xue Yiru, Zhang Ce, Du Xiao, Jing Xiang, Li Zhen
Volume 019Book of Liang 19Liezhuan 9 – Shi Shu Cong, Zhu You Gong, Wang Chong Shi, Zhu Zhen, Li Si An, Deng Ji Yun, Huang Wen Jing, Hu Ji, Li honestly, Li Chongyin, Fan Jushi
Volume 020Book of Liang 20Liezhuan 10 – Xie Xie, Sima Ye, Liu Han, Wang Jingmai, Gao Shao, Ma Jixun, Zhang Cunjing, Kou Yanqing
Volume 021Book of Liang 21Liezhuan 11 – Pang Shigu, Huo Cun, Fu Daozhao, Xu Huaiyu, Guo Yan, Li Tangbin, Wang Qianyu, Liu Kangzhang, Wang Yanzhang, He Delun
Volume 022Book of Liang 22Liezhuan 12 – Yang Shihou, Niu Cunjie, Wang Tan
Volume 023Book of Liang 23Liezhuan 13 – Liu Xun, He Gai, Kang Huaiying, Wang Jingren
Volume 024Book of Liang 24Liezhuan 14 – Li Scepter, Lu Zeng, Sun Lian, Zhang Jun, Zhang Yan, Du Xunhe, Luo Yin, Qiu Yin, Duan Shen
Volume 025Book of Tang 1 WuhuangBenji 1 –Li Keyong
Volume 026Book of Tang 2 WuhuangBenji 2 – Li Keyong
Volume 027Book of Tang 3 ZhuangzongBenji 1 –Li Cunxu
Volume 028Book of Tang 4 ZhuangzongBenji 2 – Li Cunxu
Volume 029Book of Tang 5 ZhuangzongBenji 3 – Li Cunxu
Volume 030Book of Tang 6 ZhuangzongBenji 4 – Li Cunxu
Volume 031Book of Tang 7 ZhuangzongBenji 5 – Li Cunxu
Volume 032Book of Tang 8 ZhuangzongBenji 6 – Li Cunxu
Volume 033Book of Tang 9 ZhuangzongBenji 7 – Li Cunxu
Volume 034Book of Tang 10 ZhuangzongBenji 8 – Li Cunxu
Volume 035Book of Tang 11 MingzongBenji 1 –Li Siyuan
Volume 036Book of Tang 12 MingzongBenji 2 – Li Siyuan
Volume 037Book of Tang 13 MingzongBenji 3 – Li Siyuan
Volume 038Book of Tang 14 MingzongBenji 4 – Li Siyuan
Volume 039Book of Tang 15 MingzongBenji 5 – Li Siyuan
Volume 040Book of Tang 16 MingzongBenji 6 – Li Siyuan
Volume 041Book of Tang 17 MingzongBenji 7 – Li Siyuan
Volume 042Book of Tang 18 MingzongBenji 8 – Li Siyuan
Volume 043Book of Tang 19 MingzongBenji 9 – Li Siyuan
Volume 044Book of Tang 20 MingzongBenji 10 – Li Siyuan
Volume 045Book of Tang 21 MindiBenji 1 –Li Conghou
Volume 046Book of Tang 22 ZhuangzongBenji 1 –Li Congke
Volume 047Book of Tang 23 ZhuangzongBenji 2 – Li Congke
Volume 048Book of Tang 24 ZhuangzongBenji 3 – Li Congke
Volume 049Book of Tang 25 ConsortLiezhuan 1 – Empress Zhenjian, of Cao clan ．Consort Liu．Lady Wei, of Chen clan．Empress Shenmin, of Liu clan．Consort Shu, of Han clan．Consort Yide, Empress Zhaoyi, of Xia clan．Empress Hewu, of Cao clan．Empress Xuanxian, of Wei clan．Empress Kong．Empress Liu
Volume 050Book of Tang 26Liezhuan 2 – Imperial family 1
Volume 050Book of Tang 27Liezhuan 3 – Imperial family 2
Volume 052Book of Tang 28Liezhuan 4 – Li Sizhao, Peiyue, Li Siben, Li Sien
Volume 053Book of Tang 29Liezhuan 5 – Li Cunxin, Li Cunxiao, Li Cunjin, Li Cunzhang, Li Cunxian
Volume 054Book of Tang 30Liezhuan 6 – Wang Rong, Wang Zhaohui, Wang Chuzhi
Volume 055Book of Tang 31Liezhuan 7 – Kang Junli, Xue Zhiqin, Shi Jianjian, Li Chengsi, Shi Yan, Gaiyu, Yi Guang, Li Chengxun, Shi Jingrong
Volume 056Book of Tang 32Liezhuan 8 – Zhou Dewei, Fu Cunshen
Volume 057Book of Tang 33Liezhuan 9 – Guo Chongtao
Volume 058Book of Tang 34Liezhuan 10 – Zhao Guangfeng, Zheng Jue, Cui Xie, Li Qi, Xiao Qin
Volume 059Book of Tang 35Liezhuan 11 – Ding Hui, Yan Bao, Fu Xi, Wu Zhen, Wang Zan, Yuan Xianxian, Zhang Wen, Li Shaowen
Volume 060Book of Tang 36Liezhuan 12 – Li Rengji, Wang Gum, Li Jingyi, Lu Rupil, Li Dehuo, Su Zhuan
Volume 061Book of Tang 37Liezhuan 13 – An Jinquan, An Yuanxin, An Chongba, Liu Xun, Zhang Jingxun, Liu Yanzong, Yuan Jianfeng, Xifang Ye, Zhang Zunhui, Sun Zhang
Volume 064Book of Tang 40Liezhuan 16 – Huo Yanwei, Wang Yanqiu, Dai Siyuan, Zhu Hanbin, Kong Qian, Liu Jang, and Zhou Zhiyu
Volume 065Book of Tang 41Liezhuan 17 – Li Jianhe, Shi Junli, Gao Xinggui, Zhang Tingyu, Wang Sitong, Suo Zitong
Volume 066Book of Tang 42Liezhuan 18 – An Chongzhi, Zhu Hongzhao, Zhu Hongsi, Kang Yicheng, Yayanchou, Song Lingxun
Volume 067Book of Tang 43Liezhuan 19 – Dou Lu Ge, Wei Shao, Lu Cheng, Zhao Feng, Li Yu, Ren Huon
Volume 068Book of Tang 44Liezhuan 20 – Xue Tinggui, Cui Yi, Liu Yue, Feng Shunqing, Dou Mengbi, Li Boyin, Gui Ai, Kong Miao, Zhang Wenbao, Chen Miao, Liu Zan
Volume 069Book of Tang 45Liezhuan 21 – Zhang Xian, Wang Zhengyan, Hu Zhan, Cui Yisun, Meng Gong, Sun Yue, Zhang Yanlang, Liu Yanhao, Liu Yanlang
Volume 070Book of Tang 46Liezhuan 22 – Yuan Xingqin, Xia Luqi, Yao Hong, Li Yan, Li Renru, Kang Sili, Zhang Jingda
Volume 071Book of Tang 47Liezhuan 23 – Ma Yu, Sikong Forehead, Cao Tingyin, Xiao Xifu, Yao Zhongzhi, Jia Fu, Ma Yai, Luo Guan, Chunyu Yan, Zhang Ge, Xu Sil, Zhou Xuanbao
Volume 072,Book of Tang 48Liezhuan 24 – Zhang Chengye, Zhang Juhan, Ma Shaohong, Meng Hanqiong
Volume 073Book of Tang 49Liezhuan 25 – Mao Zhang, Nie Yu, Wen Tao, Duan Ning, Kong Qian, Li Ye
Volume 074Book of Tang 50Liezhuan 26 – Kang Yanxiao, Zhu Shuyin, Yang Li, Dou Tingwan, Zhang Qizhao, Yang Yanwen
Volume 075Book of Jin 1 GaozuBenji 1 –Shi Jingtang
Volume 076Book of Jin 2 GaozuBenji 2 – Shi Jingtang
Volume 077Book of Jin 3 GaozuBenji 3 – Shi Jingtang
Volume 078Book of Jin 4 GaozuBenji 4 – Shi Jingtang
Volume 079Book of Jin 5 GaozuBenji 5 – Shi Jingtang
Volume 080Book of Jin 6 GaozuBenji 6 – Shi Jingtang
Volume 081Book of Jin 7 ShaodiBenji 1 – Shi Chonggui
Volume 082Book of Jin 8 ShaodiBenji 2 – Shi Chonggui
Volume 083Book of Jin 9 ShaodiBenji 3 – Shi Chonggui
Volume 084Book of Jin 10 ShaodiBenji 4 – Shi Chonggui
Volume 085Book of Jin 11 ShaodiBenji 5 – Shi Chonggui
Volume 086Book of Jin 12 ConsortLiezhuan 1 – Empress Li, Taifei (Imperial consort, similar to dowager) An, Empress Zhang, Empress Feng
Volume 087Book of Jin 13Liezhuan 2 – Imperial family
Volume 088Book of Jin 14Liezhuan 3 – Jing Yanguang, Li Yantao, Zhang Xichong, Wang Tingyin, Shi Kuanghan, Liang Hanyong, Yang Siquan, Yin Hui, Li Congzhang, Li Congwen, Zhang Wanjin
Volume 089Book of Jin 15Liezhuan 4 – Sang Weihan, Zhao Ying, Liu Zhu, Feng Yu, Yin Peng
Volume 090Book of Jin 16Liezhuan 5 -Zhao Zaili, Ma Quanjie, Zhang Yun, Hua Wenqi, An Chongruan, Yang Yanxun, Li Chengyue, Lu Siduo, An Yuanxin, Zhang Lang, Lee Deliu, Tian Wu, Li Chengfu Chengfu Sangrijin
Volume 090Book of Jin 17Liezhuan 6 – Fang Zhiwen, Wang Jianli, Kangfu, An Yanwei, Li Zhou, Zhang Congxun, Li Jizhong, Li Qing, Zhou Guangfu, Fu Yan, Luo Zhoujing, Zheng Cong
Volume 090Book of Jin 18Liezhuan 7 – Yao Yi, Lu Qi, Liang Wenju, Shi Gui, Pei Zuo, Wu Chengfan, Lu Dao, Zheng Taoguang, Wang Quan, Han Yun, Li Yi
Volume 090Book of Jin 19Liezhuan 8 – Lu Zhi, Li Zhuanmei, Lu Zhan, Cui Chan, Xue Rong, Cao Guozhen, Zhang Renyuan, Zhao Xi, Li Xie, Yin Yuyu, Zheng Yunshou
Volume 090Book of Jin 20Liezhuan 9 – Chang Congjian, Pan Huan, Fangtai, He Jian Zhang Tingyun, Guo Yanlu, Guo Jinhai, Liu Churang, Li Qiong, Gao Hanyun, Sun Yantao, Wang Bao, Miqiong, Li Yanxun
Volume 090Book of Jin 21Liezhuan 10 – Book Ten-Huangfuyu, Wang Qing, Liang Hanzhang, Bai Fengjin, Lu Shunmi, Zhou Huan, Shen Yun, Wu Yan, Zhai Zhang, Cheng Fuyun, Guo Lin
Volume 096Book of Jin 22Liezhuan 11 – Kong Chongbi, Chen Baoji, Wang Yu, Zhang Jizuo, Zheng Ruan, Hu Rao, Liu Suiqing, Fang Hao, Meng Chengxun, Liu Jixun, Zheng Yiyi, Cheng Xun, Li Yu, Zheng Xuansu, Ma Chongji, Chen Xuan
Volume 097Book of Jin 23Liezhuan 12 – Fan Yanguang, Zhang Congbin, Zhang Yanbo, Yang Guangyuan, Lu Wenjin, Li Jinquan
Volume 098Book of Jin 24Liezhuan 13 – An Chongrong, An Congjin, Zhang Yanze, Zhao Dejun, Zhang Li, Xiao Han, Liu Xi, Cui Tingxun
Volume 102Book of Han 4 YindiBenji 2 – Liu Chenyou
Volume 103Book of Han 5 YindiBenji 3 – Liu Chenyou
Volume 104Book of Han 6 ConsortLiezhuan 1
Volume 105Book of Han 7 Imperial familyLiezhuan 2
Volume 106Book of Han 8Liezhuan 3 – Wang Zhou, Liu Interview, Wuhan Ball, Zhang Rong, Li Yin, Liu Zaiming, Ma Wan, Li Yancong, Guo Jin, Huangfuli, Bai Zairong, Zhang Peng
Volume 107Book of Han 9Liezhuan 4 – Shi Hongzhao, Yang Fei, Wang Zhang, Li Hongjian, Yan Jinqing, Nie Wenjin, Houzan, Guo Yunming, Liu Zhu
Volume 108Book of Han 10Liezhuan 5 – Li Song, Su Fengji, Li lin, Long Min, Liu Ding, Zhang Yun, Ren Yanhao
Volume 109Book of Han 11Liezhuan 6 – Du Chongwei, Li Shouzhe, Zhao Siwan
Volume 114Book of Zhou 5 ShizongBenji 1 –Chai Rong
Volume 115Book of Zhou 6 ShizongBenji 3 –Chai Rong
Volume 116Book of Zhou 7 ShizongBenji 3 –Chai Rong
Volume 117Book of Zhou 8 ShizongBenji 4 –Chai Rong
Volume 118Book of Zhou 9 ShizongBenji 5 –Chai Rong
Volume 119Book of Zhou 10 ShizongBenji 6 –Chai Rong
Volume 120Book of Zhou 11 GongdiBenji 1 –Chai Zongxun
Volume 121Book of Zhou 12 ConsortLiezhuan 1
Volume 122Book of Zhou 13 Imperial Liezhuan 2
Volume 123Book of Zhou 14Liezhuan 3 –Gao Xingzhou, An Shenqi, An Shenhui, An Shenxin, Li Congmin, Lesson of Zheng Ren, Zhang Yancheng, An Shuqian, Song Yanyun
Volume 124Book of Zhou 15Liezhuan 4 – Wang Yin, He Fujin, Liu Ci, Wang Jin, Shi Yanchao, Shi Yi, Wang Lingwen, Zhou Mi, Li Huaizhong, Bai Wenke, Bai Yanyu, Tang Jingsi
Volume 125Book of Zhou 16Liezhuan 5 – Zhao Hui, Wang Shouen, Kong Zhijun, Wang Jihong, Feng Hui, Gao Yunquan, Zhecong Ruan, Wang Rao, Sun Fangjian
Volume 127Book of Zhou 18Liezhuan 7 – Lu Wenji, Ma Yisun, He Ning, Su Yugui, Jing Fan
Volume 128Book of Zhou 19Liezhuan 8 – Wang Pu, Yang Ningshi, Xue Renqian, Xiao Yuan, Lu Xie, Wang Renyu, Pei Yu, Duan Xiyao, Situ Xu, Bian Wei, Wang Min
Volume 129Book of Zhou 20Liezhuan 9 – Chang Si, Zhai Guangye, Cao Ying, Li Yan, Li Hui, Li Jianchong, Wang Chongyi, Sun Hanying, Xu Qian, Zhao Feng, Qi Zangzhen, Wang Huan, Zhang Yanchao, Zhang Ying, Liu Rengan
Volume 130Book of Zhou 21Liezhuan 10 – Wang Jun, Murong Yanchao, Yan Honglu, Cui Zhoudu
Volume 131Book of Zhou 22Liezhuan 11 – Liu Zuo, Zhang Gan, Zhang Kefu, Yu Dechen, Wang Yan, Shen Wenbing, Hu Zai, Liu Gang, Jia Wei, Zhao Yanyi, Shen Yan, Li Zhiyu, Sun Sheng
Wilkinson, Endymion Porter (2015).Chinese History: a New Manual. Cambridge, MA; London, England:Harvard University Asia Center.
Other references
Mamoru, Tonami (1978). "Chiu Wu-tai shih". In Hervouet, Yves (ed.).A Sung Bibliography. Translated by Albertat, B. Hong Kong: Chinese University Press. p. 62.ISBN962-201-158-6.
