How credible is history?

Early historians wrote straight books, and I think the reliability of historical materials (including historical records) in the pre-Qin period can reach over 98%. Later, the credibility of the history books recorded by historians has dropped from more than 98% to less than 30% now (I said that our red history was given face at the age of 30).

In the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong wanted to see the historian's account of his stay in Zhu Zhu, but the historian refused. It's hard to say in official history In fact, it is not known whether the historians of the Tang Dynasty or later dynasties were influenced by the authority of the emperor. Let others guess, hehe.

After reading this passage, you will have your own opinion:

Dong Hu was a historian of Jin State in the Spring and Autumn Period. "Zuo Zhuan Gong Xuan Two Years" records that Duke Ling of Jin amassed people's wealth and destroyed his subjects. Zhao Dun, the courtier, remonstrated many times, but Ling Gong did not change, but wanted to kill him. Zhao Dun had to flee. When he fled to the border of Jin, his brother Zhao Chuan led troops to kill Gong Ling, so he came back to stay in power. Dong Hu recorded "Zhao Dun regicide". Zhao Dun argued that Zhao Chuan's murder was not his crime. Dong Hu said: "If the son is righteous, he will not cross the line, but he will not seek thieves. Who is it? "

This story is the origin of "Dong Hu's straight pen". From today's point of view, Zhao Dun is indeed a little wronged. But the calligraphy of historians at that time was based on the violation of etiquette and law. Therefore, when Confucius praised East Lake as "a good history in ancient times", he also sighed for Zhao Dun, saying that crossing the border was free.

Zhao Dun was a "good official in ancient times", so Dong Hu was able to write frankly and safely, which earned him an eternal reputation. In fact, it is not so easy to write a straight book. Also in the Spring and Autumn Period, Cui Yao, the minister of the State of Qi, connived at others' killing of the monarch Zhuang Gong, and the historian of the State of Qi also recorded that "Cui Yao killed Zhuang Gong". Cui Yao became angry from embarrassment and killed him. The historian's younger brother continues to remember that Cui Yao killed his younger brother. Another historian brother is not afraid of rape and continues to record according to the facts. Cui Jue, who was in power, was finally at a loss. This is the result of writing history directly. The two brothers, historians of the State of Qi, defended the truth of history with their own lives and blood, and also interpreted a tragic history for future generations.

Beginning with Donghu, Zuo Zhuan and Historical Records both inherited the historical essence of realism. In a word, it is "not empty beauty, not hiding evil." That's why Tai Shigong wrote Xiang Yu so tragically, but he described Liu Bang as a street hooligan, and he was not shy, because he was the ancestor of today's emperor.

Dong Hu's historical spirit of straight pen has somehow been deformed today. I still remember a famous painting "founding ceremony", which was always changing in that special period, and sometimes it was really confusing. For a while, the counter-revolutionary head was erased, and for a while, the figure of the big traitor disappeared. It gives people the feeling that "the flag of the king changes at the head of the city". "Zhu Mao joined forces" is the highlight of the party history, and at one time it became "Maolin joined forces". It is said that Commander-in-Chief Zhu once visited an art exhibition, and the old man's eyes were not flexible. Before the painting "Meeting with Shizuoka", he said modestly: I was not that young at that time. I didn't know it was Lin Biao, not him. The staff is not easy to pierce this paper, so no one knows how to prevaricate.

Of course, such a history cannot be called history. It's a joke at best. Sometimes such jokes go too far, making people afraid to believe in history. For example, historians can say that Confucius is a pervert according to the sentence "treating Nanzi as a son". The whole ancient history of China has become a history of struggle between Confucianism and Legalism. Tyrants such as Qin Shihuang were all clothed with beautiful "legalists", and the cruel "burning books to bury Confucianism" became a great achievement in paying attention to class struggle. I have never heard of any historian who has shed his blood to defend the dignity of historiography. On the contrary, some great poets sang loudly and enthusiastically about life in the bullpen. It would be good to sing "May 7th Cadre School". I wonder how future generations will feel when they read this history.

I really don't know what to say when we think that all this happened in a country that respects historical materialism.