Qinghe University, History Department, Historical Research Class.
After spending two full semesters lecturing on mythological history research, ancient history research, and official history research.
They finally arrived at the much-anticipated.
The not-so-proper and stimulating research into unofficial history.
In the classroom, the main lecturer could clearly see that the students below, each and every one of them, were more attentive than before, with a few whispering and smiling ambiguously.
They truly regarded unofficial history as history of imperial decadence.
“Ahem, quiet down, everyone.
Judging by your demeanor, you must have all previewed the upcoming unofficial history research lectures. If only you were all as dedicated to your studies as you are to learning about unofficial history.
Never mind, enough idle talk, let’s begin.”
With a casual complaint, the main lecturer activated the holographic projector. Simultaneously, the appearance of the entire classroom changed, transforming into a library, with bookshelves filling the space behind the lecturer.
It looked quite atmospheric:
“Unofficial history, as the name suggests, refers to non-official, orthodox national histories that differ from official histories. In a narrow sense, any history book other than the Twenty-Four Histories can be called unofficial history.
However, I hope you will remember that official histories do not represent absolute truth, nor do unofficial histories represent absolute falsehood. Existing archaeological clues have already fully proven that many official histories have been altered and contain errors; it can only be said that the overall trend is not wrong.
Conversely, many parts of unofficial and miscellaneous histories.
Are correct enough to compensate for the deficiencies in official histories.
Of course, everyone, please note that I am referring to partial correctness and partial errors. Unofficial histories contain valuable content worthy of research, but the majority of unofficial histories are actually dregs, and some cannot even be considered history books.
They are purely fabricated novels.
Therefore, when researching unofficial histories, we must examine whether the author of the unofficial history had the possibility of encountering or learning about those events, and we must also see if the content recorded in the unofficial history has supporting evidence from official histories or archaeology.
For example, if a scholar from a remote and obscure village writes an unofficial history that contains many court secrets, do you think it can be believed? No, it's clearly unbelievable!
But what if it was written by a Empress Dowager?”
At this point, the main lecturer smiled, waved his hand, and a very thick book flew out from the bookshelf behind him. The book was titled "Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Taizong and the Empress Dowager":
“Everyone should know who I’m referring to and which unofficial history I’m talking about with just a glance! DAFENG Novel Network
That’s right…
It's this book, "Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Taizong and the Empress Dowager."
This unofficial history is remarkable and unique in both the author's identity and the content it records. As of now, it is unprecedented and unrepeatable. I am not spouting nonsense, as emperors no longer exist today, so there will be no more Empress Dowagers in the future, making the 'unrepeatable' claim valid.
Let's first discuss the identity: she was the longest-lived Empress Dowager in history, the oldest to become an Empress Dowager, the one who took the longest time to become an Empress Dowager after her husband's death, and also the Empress Dowager with the greatest merits.
Furthermore, she was the only Empress Dowager who became so by merit.
Indeed, other Empress Dowagers became so through their sons or by being former Empresses, but she did it purely through her own contributions. After her husband's death, it took her nearly eighty years to gradually ascend to the position of Empress Dowager.
It must be said, it's quite inspiring.
Alright, this is not related to our topic today, so I won't elaborate further. We will now use this very special unofficial history as our research sample.
To explain the research of unofficial histories in detail.
First and foremost, the most important aspect of researching unofficial history is to verify the author. "Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Taizong and the Empress Dowager" was found in the tomb of Emperor Jiànwǔ, as a burial object within the coffin of Empress Guǎnghào Dé Shénnóng. Combined with the content of the book, there is no doubt about the author.
It was the Empress Dowager of Taizong at that time.
The one who was posthumously honored as Empress Shénnóng, the Great and Virtuous, the Benevolent, the Sacred, the Illuminating, the Boundlessly Meritorious Divine Sovereign of Jiànwǔ.
Her titles are too numerous; this is already a simplified version, and there were further posthumous bestowals. From now on, I will collectively refer to her as Empress Shénnóng, so you will understand who I am referring to.
Since this book was written by her, its authenticity and authority can at least be increased by thirty points. Furthermore, the content of the book consists of matters she theoretically could have accessed and known, which can add another thirty points.
Moreover, the unofficial history recorded in her miscellaneous notes pertains to events that occurred during her lifetime, neither before her birth and awareness nor after her death. Therefore, its authenticity can be increased by another thirty points.
This means that the credibility of the content in this book is as high as ninety percent. Therefore, currently, the unofficial history most recognized by the academic community is this one. Although one cannot guarantee one hundred percent accuracy, major historians generally are willing to acknowledge that the content of this book is essentially true.
This method of assessing the authenticity of historical records.
Applies to all privately compiled unofficial histories.
Scholars writing about court secrets, officials writing about conspiracies from three hundred or five hundred years ago, and those who compile history based on hearsay and various rumors will all greatly diminish the authenticity.
Cai Yure, the director of the National History Office.
Once commented on "Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Taizong and the Empress Dowager":
'Even official histories often shield the honorable. When a later dynasty compiles the history of a previous one, it is difficult to ensure absolute impartiality. Since ancient times, only "Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Taizong and the Empress Dowager," due to the author's high status and the fact that it was not intended for printing and circulation but rather as a burial object, is truthful in every word, with no content being omitted.
Nor has it been altered or revised by any later generations.
Furthermore, it is written by a person of the current dynasty about events of the current dynasty, so throughout history, there has been no historical record as impartial and truthful as "Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Taizong and the Empress Dowager."'
Why am I telling you all this? Because the current research on unofficial history is formulated based on "Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Taizong and the Empress Dowager." If a certain aspect aligns with this unofficial history, it receives bonus points.
If it does not align, it receives deductions; it's that simple.
Next, I will explain the more detailed standards for researching unofficial history. The content may be somewhat dry, but you must memorize it, because I will assign you homework later: each of you will be given a copy of an unofficial history, and based on the standards I teach you, you will calculate its authenticity score.
Don't even think about copying or borrowing from each other.
There are plenty of unofficial histories, so many that each of you will receive a different one, so you must analyze it yourselves.
Without further ado, the holographic projection will now display a copy of "Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Taizong and the Empress Dowager" in front of each of you.
I will analyze the standards from beginning to end.”
Well, the students who expected to hear some interesting unofficial histories were utterly disheartened. Who would have thought that an unofficial history research class would purely focus on research methods and refrain from giving any interesting examples? It was truly devoid of any fun.
However, with such a teacher, they couldn't switch courses. They could only sigh and listen attentively.
It wasn't until they carefully examined Ding Yun's historical writings.
And discovered that the various gossip recorded within were no less sensational than gossip magazines, and the wrongdoings of major powers or inner courts were no less horrific than crime scenes, that they truly focused their attention and listened to the lecture.
Occasionally, they would sigh, reflecting that ancient and modern humans seemed not much different, with the same human weaknesses.
The only difference was in laws, customs, and technology...
Quick Transmigration Maniac reminds you: Remember to collect after reading.