China Social Science Review

No.2, 2022

 

Official History and the Twenty-Four Histories: A New Annotated Edition

(Abstract)

 

Sun Xiao and Bu Xianqun

 

It was Qing scholars who started to use the term “official histories” (zheng shi) to refer to the Twenty-Four Histories. In each dynasty, confirmation of dynastic orthodoxy served as the basis for the establishment of dynastic succession. Comrade Mao Zedong attached great importance to the compilation of the Twenty-Four Histories for two reasons. On the one hand, the works were the basic vehicle of Chinese politics, history, and culture, and at the same time conveyed a consensus on ancient politics and culture. Probing into profound truths can reach a distant place. Reading these historical works can help us grasp the timeline of historical evolution and better understand where we are today. On the other hand, although Mao loved ancient history, he was not mired in the past, nor did he reject the present or refuse to follow changing times. He knew that it is only by following the old ways that the new can be created. Historical study is the foundation of all the social sciences, and the Twenty-Four Histories are the most fundamental classical texts in Chinese historical studies.