QA问答：中国古代历史文献很容易被统治者随意更改，那么中国人如何确认某些信息是错误的呢？例如秦始皇活埋儒家学者，朱棣不是马皇后的儿子等。
正文翻译
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CaiLei
There is a subject in China called archeology.
For archaeology, the most valuable artifacts are not gold, diamond jewelry or artwork, but bamboo slips, silk book, oracle bones, and bronzes with writing on them.
Documentary materials are often limited by the era and the cognitive limitations of the recorders, so that it is impossible to reflect the social phenomena and historical facts completely and truthfully.
But the cultural relics are different, it is in each period of time left behind the obxtive reality. It can fully confirm the authenticity of historical documents, correct the errors of documentary records, and fill the gaps in documentary records.
Bamboo slips of the Qin Dynasty unearthed in December 1975 in Tomb No. 11 of Sleeping Tiger Land, Chengguan Town, Yunmeng County, xiaogan City, Hubei Province, China, recording the laws and official documents of the time, have been collated and included in the book "Shuihudi Qin bamboo texts".
中国有一门学科叫考古学。
对于考古学来说，最有价值的文物不是黄金、钻石首饰或艺术品，而是竹简、丝绸书、甲骨文和带有文字的青铜器。
文献资料往往受时代和记录者认知局限的限制，无法完整、真实地反映社会现象和历史事实。
但文物不同，它是在每个时期留下的客观现实。它可以充分确认历史文献的真实性，纠正文献记录的错误，填补文献记录的空白。
1975年12月出土于湖北省孝感市云梦县城关镇睡虎乡11号墓的秦代竹简，记录了当时的法律和官文，经整理并收录在《睡虎地秦简》一书中。
CaiLei
There is a subject in China called archeology.
For archaeology, the most valuable artifacts are not gold, diamond jewelry or artwork, but bamboo slips, silk book, oracle bones, and bronzes with writing on them.
Documentary materials are often limited by the era and the cognitive limitations of the recorders, so that it is impossible to reflect the social phenomena and historical facts completely and truthfully.
But the cultural relics are different, it is in each period of time left behind the obxtive reality. It can fully confirm the authenticity of historical documents, correct the errors of documentary records, and fill the gaps in documentary records.
Bamboo slips of the Qin Dynasty unearthed in December 1975 in Tomb No. 11 of Sleeping Tiger Land, Chengguan Town, Yunmeng County, xiaogan City, Hubei Province, China, recording the laws and official documents of the time, have been collated and included in the book "Shuihudi Qin bamboo texts".
中国有一门学科叫考古学。
对于考古学来说，最有价值的文物不是黄金、钻石首饰或艺术品，而是竹简、丝绸书、甲骨文和带有文字的青铜器。
文献资料往往受时代和记录者认知局限的限制，无法完整、真实地反映社会现象和历史事实。
但文物不同，它是在每个时期留下的客观现实。它可以充分确认历史文献的真实性，纠正文献记录的错误，填补文献记录的空白。
1975年12月出土于湖北省孝感市云梦县城关镇睡虎乡11号墓的秦代竹简，记录了当时的法律和官文，经整理并收录在《睡虎地秦简》一书中。
This batch of bamboo slips is a precious historical material for the study of politics, economy, culture, law and military in the period from the late Warring States period to the first emperor of Qin Dynasty, and it is also the basis for the proofreading of ancient books.
According to the evidence, the owner of the tomb was "xi", who had served as a magistrate of the county during his lifetime and participated in "prison management", and these bamboo slips may be the transcxtions of the laws and legal documents of the Qin Dynasty made by the owner of the tomb according to the needs of his work during his lifetime.
“Shuihudi Qin bamboo texts” counted 1,155, 80 pieces of debris, is now categorized and organized into ten parts, including: "18 kinds of Qin law", "the effect of the law", "the Qin law of miscellaneous copy", "the law of the Q&A", "sealing diagnostic formula", "chronicle", "language book", "for the way of the official", "day book" A and "day book" B. The "language book", "effect" and "day book" A and "day book" B. Among them, the Book of Words, the Effective Laws, the Seal Diagnostic Forms, and the Book of Days are the titles of the original books, while the others are organized and formulated by the later generations. The bamboo slips are 23.1 to 27.8 centimeters long and 0.5 to 0.8 centimeters wide, and the inner texts are written in ink with Qin clerical scxt, written in the late Warring States period and the period of Qin Shi Huang.
这批竹简是战国末至秦始皇时期研究政治、经济、文化、法律、军事的珍贵史料，也是古籍校对的依据。
据证证，墓主是“喜”，生前曾担任县长，参与“监狱管理”，这些竹简可能是墓主生前根据工作需要制作的秦朝法律和法律文书的抄录。
睡虎地秦墓竹简共1155枚，残片80枚，分类整理为十部分内容，包括：《秦律十八种》《效律》《秦律杂抄》《法律答问》《封诊式》《编年记》《语书》《为吏之道》、甲种与乙种《日书》。其中《语书》《效律》《封诊式》《日书》为原书标题，其他均为后人整理拟定。
According to the evidence, the owner of the tomb was "xi", who had served as a magistrate of the county during his lifetime and participated in "prison management", and these bamboo slips may be the transcxtions of the laws and legal documents of the Qin Dynasty made by the owner of the tomb according to the needs of his work during his lifetime.
“Shuihudi Qin bamboo texts” counted 1,155, 80 pieces of debris, is now categorized and organized into ten parts, including: "18 kinds of Qin law", "the effect of the law", "the Qin law of miscellaneous copy", "the law of the Q&A", "sealing diagnostic formula", "chronicle", "language book", "for the way of the official", "day book" A and "day book" B. The "language book", "effect" and "day book" A and "day book" B. Among them, the Book of Words, the Effective Laws, the Seal Diagnostic Forms, and the Book of Days are the titles of the original books, while the others are organized and formulated by the later generations. The bamboo slips are 23.1 to 27.8 centimeters long and 0.5 to 0.8 centimeters wide, and the inner texts are written in ink with Qin clerical scxt, written in the late Warring States period and the period of Qin Shi Huang.
这批竹简是战国末至秦始皇时期研究政治、经济、文化、法律、军事的珍贵史料，也是古籍校对的依据。
据证证，墓主是“喜”，生前曾担任县长，参与“监狱管理”，这些竹简可能是墓主生前根据工作需要制作的秦朝法律和法律文书的抄录。
睡虎地秦墓竹简共1155枚，残片80枚，分类整理为十部分内容，包括：《秦律十八种》《效律》《秦律杂抄》《法律答问》《封诊式》《编年记》《语书》《为吏之道》、甲种与乙种《日书》。其中《语书》《效律》《封诊式》《日书》为原书标题，其他均为后人整理拟定。
However, through the excavation of Qin slips, we see that the Qin Empire's corvée was paid, the court took care of the food, and the government could distribute clothes. Each household was not allowed to draft two people to serve at the same time, and the workload in winter was reduced by one-third. In short, it was very humane, and Qin Shi Huang was not the tyrant depicted in the literature and novels.
As for the fact that Emperor Qin Shi Huang did not bury the Confucian scholars alive, there are actually controversies in Chinese history.
For example, does the term "Confucian" refer to "Confucian students" or "sorcerers"? This point needs to be verified by more historical data.
But in any case, the “Shuihudi Qin bamboo texts” is a very, very, very important historical material for the modern study of the late Warring States period to the early Qin Dynasty.
然而，通过秦简的挖掘，我们看到秦帝国的徭役是有偿的，朝廷负责食物的，政府可以分发衣服。每户不允许征召两个人同时服役，冬季的工作量减少了三分之一。总之，非常人性化，秦始皇也不是文学小说中描绘的暴君。
至于秦始皇没有活埋儒家学者，中国历史上其实是有争议的。
例如，“儒家”一词是指“儒家学生”还是“巫师”？这一点需要用更多的历史数据来验证。
但不管怎么说，《睡虎地秦简》对于战国后期到秦初初的现代研究，都是非常、非常、非常重要的史料。
As for the fact that Emperor Qin Shi Huang did not bury the Confucian scholars alive, there are actually controversies in Chinese history.
For example, does the term "Confucian" refer to "Confucian students" or "sorcerers"? This point needs to be verified by more historical data.
But in any case, the “Shuihudi Qin bamboo texts” is a very, very, very important historical material for the modern study of the late Warring States period to the early Qin Dynasty.
然而，通过秦简的挖掘，我们看到秦帝国的徭役是有偿的，朝廷负责食物的，政府可以分发衣服。每户不允许征召两个人同时服役，冬季的工作量减少了三分之一。总之，非常人性化，秦始皇也不是文学小说中描绘的暴君。
至于秦始皇没有活埋儒家学者，中国历史上其实是有争议的。
例如，“儒家”一词是指“儒家学生”还是“巫师”？这一点需要用更多的历史数据来验证。
但不管怎么说，《睡虎地秦简》对于战国后期到秦初初的现代研究，都是非常、非常、非常重要的史料。
The Thirteen Ming-Tombs in Beijing were not stolen, nor were the tombs of Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma in Nanjing.
Using modern technology, wouldn't the results be known by comparing the genes of Zhu Di and Empress Ma?
China still has a lot of underground cultural relics have not been excavated, the current level of technology can not do 100% of non-destructive excavation, all, China will not do any work on these cultural relics, so that they continue to sleep in the ground is the best protection.
北京的十三明陵没有被盗，南京的朱元璋和皇后马的陵墓也没有被盗。
使用现代技术，通过比较朱棣和马皇后的基因，难道不会知道结果吗？
中国还有很多地下文物没有被挖掘出来，以目前的技术水平还不能做到100%的无损挖掘，中国不会对这些文物做任何工作，让它们继续沉睡在地下是最好的保护。
Using modern technology, wouldn't the results be known by comparing the genes of Zhu Di and Empress Ma?
China still has a lot of underground cultural relics have not been excavated, the current level of technology can not do 100% of non-destructive excavation, all, China will not do any work on these cultural relics, so that they continue to sleep in the ground is the best protection.
北京的十三明陵没有被盗，南京的朱元璋和皇后马的陵墓也没有被盗。
使用现代技术，通过比较朱棣和马皇后的基因，难道不会知道结果吗？
中国还有很多地下文物没有被挖掘出来，以目前的技术水平还不能做到100%的无损挖掘，中国不会对这些文物做任何工作，让它们继续沉睡在地下是最好的保护。
评论翻译
@Nguyễn Đình Quý
I wonder why Qin Shi Huang’s tomb hasn’t been opened. I think not because they’re afraid to damage artifacts in the tomb but they fear that the deadly weapons described by Sima Qian would kill excavators.
我想知道为什么秦始皇陵墓还没有被打开。我认为不是因为他们害怕损坏墓中的文物，而是他们担心司马迁描述的致命武器会杀死挖掘者。
I wonder why Qin Shi Huang’s tomb hasn’t been opened. I think not because they’re afraid to damage artifacts in the tomb but they fear that the deadly weapons described by Sima Qian would kill excavators.
我想知道为什么秦始皇陵墓还没有被打开。我认为不是因为他们害怕损坏墓中的文物，而是他们担心司马迁描述的致命武器会杀死挖掘者。
@Zheng Jun
Of course it's because they are afraid of destroying cultural relics. It’s 21st century now, there are robots if they are afraid of the deadly weapon.
当然是因为他们害怕破坏文物。现在是21世纪了，如果他们害怕致命武器，可以用机器人。
Of course it's because they are afraid of destroying cultural relics. It’s 21st century now, there are robots if they are afraid of the deadly weapon.
当然是因为他们害怕破坏文物。现在是21世纪了，如果他们害怕致命武器，可以用机器人。
@Peter Chan
Yeah only in an Indians Jones movie where the tombs can kill. Modern day scientists have all kinds of tools available to even measure the air, the soil. They can find even a hint of poison gas. They have technology that can see through several meters into the rocks. No “hidden boobie traps” can get them.
是啊，只有在印第安纳·琼斯的电影里墓穴才会杀人。现代科学家有各种工具，甚至可以测量空气、土壤。他们可以发现哪怕是一点点毒气。他们有能透视几米岩石的技术。没有什么“隐藏的陷阱”能困住他们。
Yeah only in an Indians Jones movie where the tombs can kill. Modern day scientists have all kinds of tools available to even measure the air, the soil. They can find even a hint of poison gas. They have technology that can see through several meters into the rocks. No “hidden boobie traps” can get them.
是啊，只有在印第安纳·琼斯的电影里墓穴才会杀人。现代科学家有各种工具，甚至可以测量空气、土壤。他们可以发现哪怕是一点点毒气。他们有能透视几米岩石的技术。没有什么“隐藏的陷阱”能困住他们。
@Peter Chan
What is that worm in the first image?
第一张图片中的那个虫子是什么？
What is that worm in the first image?
第一张图片中的那个虫子是什么？
@ZhengAlen
I thought the first picture was a wireworm, but it turned out to be a curled bamboo slip. It's amazing.
第一张图我还以为是铁线虫，结果是一根卷曲的竹简，太神奇了
I thought the first picture was a wireworm, but it turned out to be a curled bamboo slip. It's amazing.
第一张图我还以为是铁线虫，结果是一根卷曲的竹简，太神奇了
@BL Cheah
“There is a subject in China called archeology.”
I love the calm way you reply to what is clearly an ignorant and bigoted question.
Westerners and their minions perpetually have an exceptionalist mentality, and this extends to very basic things.
When I was in college I once overheard a Filipino-American talking to an Arab (foreign) student. The Filipino-American was surprised that Arab countries have jets.
The Arab student was shocked. “So how did you think I came to America to study? I rode my camel over the Atlantic?”
“No. By ship.”
“在中国有一门学科叫做考古学。”
我喜欢你对明显无知和偏见的问题所作的平静回答。
西方人及其爪牙长期以来一直有一种例外主义心态，这种心态延伸到非常基本的事物上。
当我在大学时，我曾听到一个菲律宾裔美国人与一个阿拉伯（外国）学生交谈。那个菲律宾裔美国人惊讶于阿拉伯国家有喷气机。
那个阿拉伯学生震惊了。“那么你认为我怎么来到美国学习的？我骑着骆驼横跨大西洋？”
“不，是坐船来的。”
“There is a subject in China called archeology.”
I love the calm way you reply to what is clearly an ignorant and bigoted question.
Westerners and their minions perpetually have an exceptionalist mentality, and this extends to very basic things.
When I was in college I once overheard a Filipino-American talking to an Arab (foreign) student. The Filipino-American was surprised that Arab countries have jets.
The Arab student was shocked. “So how did you think I came to America to study? I rode my camel over the Atlantic?”
“No. By ship.”
“在中国有一门学科叫做考古学。”
我喜欢你对明显无知和偏见的问题所作的平静回答。
西方人及其爪牙长期以来一直有一种例外主义心态，这种心态延伸到非常基本的事物上。
当我在大学时，我曾听到一个菲律宾裔美国人与一个阿拉伯（外国）学生交谈。那个菲律宾裔美国人惊讶于阿拉伯国家有喷气机。
那个阿拉伯学生震惊了。“那么你认为我怎么来到美国学习的？我骑着骆驼横跨大西洋？”
“不，是坐船来的。”
@CaiLei
Yes. The Chinese and Western systems are different.
The Chinese believe that history is very serious and needs to be taken seriously.
In China, archeology is generally conducted by serious academic institutions such as the National Research Institute.
Some aspects of Western archeology are dominated by antique dealers. They hope to sell them at auction for a good price after packaging, so the "cultural relics" they unearth are very new and not as old as Chinese cultural relics. Once academics are mixed with business, they go bad.
是的。中西方的系统不同。
中国人认为历史是非常严肃的，需要认真对待。
在中国，考古学通常由国家研究所等严肃的学术机构进行。
西方考古学的某些方面则由古董商主导。他们希望在包装后能在拍卖会上以高价卖出，所以他们挖掘出的“文物”非常新，远没有中国的文物那么古老。一旦学术与商业混合在一起，就会变质。
Yes. The Chinese and Western systems are different.
The Chinese believe that history is very serious and needs to be taken seriously.
In China, archeology is generally conducted by serious academic institutions such as the National Research Institute.
Some aspects of Western archeology are dominated by antique dealers. They hope to sell them at auction for a good price after packaging, so the "cultural relics" they unearth are very new and not as old as Chinese cultural relics. Once academics are mixed with business, they go bad.
是的。中西方的系统不同。
中国人认为历史是非常严肃的，需要认真对待。
在中国，考古学通常由国家研究所等严肃的学术机构进行。
西方考古学的某些方面则由古董商主导。他们希望在包装后能在拍卖会上以高价卖出，所以他们挖掘出的“文物”非常新，远没有中国的文物那么古老。一旦学术与商业混合在一起，就会变质。
@Huang Kun
You said, “Some aspects of Western archeology are dominated by antique dealers.”
Well, tomb robbing is pretty common in China, from ancient times to even nowadays. These Chinese robbers would raid ancient tombs and steal artifacts to sell in the market. Most are not antique dealers but your everyday Joe.
For example, in 2020, a man was caught in Shaanxi robbing tombs. By day he sold pancakes but by night, he would become the leader of a professional gang of grave robbers. Over five years the looting earned them US$1.8 million. He was finally caught and sentenced to 15 years in prison. And it was the second time that he went to jail over robbing graves.
These Chinese, in the name of “to get rich is glorious”, decided that robbing ancient tombs is the fastest way to get rich, and it is pretty rampant in China.
In 2020, the Chinese authorities reported that they had arrested 2,400 such thieves and retrieved over 31,000 lost or stolen items, almost three times the number reclaimed during the previous year. In 2016, Yao Yuzhong, the person behind China’s largest grave robbery case since 1949, was sentenced to death in a court in northeast China’s Liaoning province.
你说：“西方考古学的一些方面被古董商控制。”
其实，盗墓在中国从古至今都很普遍。这些中国盗墓贼会掠夺古墓并偷走文物在市场上出售。大多数不是古董商，而是普通人。
例如，2020年，陕西一男子因盗墓被抓。白天他卖煎饼，晚上则成为专业盗墓团伙的头目。五年间，他们通过盗墓赚了180万美元。他最终被捕并被判处15年监禁。这是他第二次因盗墓入狱。
这些中国人以“致富光荣”的名义，认为盗墓是最快的致富途径，这在中国相当猖獗。
2020年，中国当局报告称，他们逮捕了2400名盗墓贼，追回了31000多件失物或被盗物品，几乎是前一年的三倍。2016年，自1949年以来中国最大的盗墓案件的幕后主使姚玉中在中国东北辽宁省的一家法院被判处死刑。
You said, “Some aspects of Western archeology are dominated by antique dealers.”
Well, tomb robbing is pretty common in China, from ancient times to even nowadays. These Chinese robbers would raid ancient tombs and steal artifacts to sell in the market. Most are not antique dealers but your everyday Joe.
For example, in 2020, a man was caught in Shaanxi robbing tombs. By day he sold pancakes but by night, he would become the leader of a professional gang of grave robbers. Over five years the looting earned them US$1.8 million. He was finally caught and sentenced to 15 years in prison. And it was the second time that he went to jail over robbing graves.
These Chinese, in the name of “to get rich is glorious”, decided that robbing ancient tombs is the fastest way to get rich, and it is pretty rampant in China.
In 2020, the Chinese authorities reported that they had arrested 2,400 such thieves and retrieved over 31,000 lost or stolen items, almost three times the number reclaimed during the previous year. In 2016, Yao Yuzhong, the person behind China’s largest grave robbery case since 1949, was sentenced to death in a court in northeast China’s Liaoning province.
你说：“西方考古学的一些方面被古董商控制。”
其实，盗墓在中国从古至今都很普遍。这些中国盗墓贼会掠夺古墓并偷走文物在市场上出售。大多数不是古董商，而是普通人。
例如，2020年，陕西一男子因盗墓被抓。白天他卖煎饼，晚上则成为专业盗墓团伙的头目。五年间，他们通过盗墓赚了180万美元。他最终被捕并被判处15年监禁。这是他第二次因盗墓入狱。
这些中国人以“致富光荣”的名义，认为盗墓是最快的致富途径，这在中国相当猖獗。
2020年，中国当局报告称，他们逮捕了2400名盗墓贼，追回了31000多件失物或被盗物品，几乎是前一年的三倍。2016年，自1949年以来中国最大的盗墓案件的幕后主使姚玉中在中国东北辽宁省的一家法院被判处死刑。
@Cailei
Compared to the West, it appears that robbing graves is more common in China these days. An important reason is that there are no tombs like this in the West that can be robbed. Tomb robbing is also rampant in Egypt. Do you know why
Chinese grave robbers didn't fake artifact, They are also not involved in academic
A 1600-year-old British "artifact" is surprisingly inscribed with Simplified Chinese characters: Jim was in here.
(Simplified Chinese characters only began to be used in mainland China in the 1960s)
You know what? It's counterfeiting, and the purpose of counterfeiting is to get a good price at auction.
与西方相比，如今在中国盗墓似乎更为常见。
一个重要的原因，西方根本没有这样的墓葬可以盗掘
埃及的盗墓也很猖獗，你知道为什么,中国盗墓贼不伪造文物，他们也不参与学术研究。
一件1600年前的英国“文物”上竟然刻有简体汉字：“吉姆在这里。”
(简体汉字在中国大陆是在20世纪60年代才开始使用的。)
你知道吗？这是伪造，伪造的目的是在拍卖会上获得好价钱。
Compared to the West, it appears that robbing graves is more common in China these days. An important reason is that there are no tombs like this in the West that can be robbed. Tomb robbing is also rampant in Egypt. Do you know why
Chinese grave robbers didn't fake artifact, They are also not involved in academic
A 1600-year-old British "artifact" is surprisingly inscribed with Simplified Chinese characters: Jim was in here.
(Simplified Chinese characters only began to be used in mainland China in the 1960s)
You know what? It's counterfeiting, and the purpose of counterfeiting is to get a good price at auction.
与西方相比，如今在中国盗墓似乎更为常见。
一个重要的原因，西方根本没有这样的墓葬可以盗掘
埃及的盗墓也很猖獗，你知道为什么,中国盗墓贼不伪造文物，他们也不参与学术研究。
一件1600年前的英国“文物”上竟然刻有简体汉字：“吉姆在这里。”
(简体汉字在中国大陆是在20世纪60年代才开始使用的。)
你知道吗？这是伪造，伪造的目的是在拍卖会上获得好价钱。
@Huang Kun
So, the counterfeiting was done by a Chinese?
所以，这个伪造是中国人做的吗？
So, the counterfeiting was done by a Chinese?
所以，这个伪造是中国人做的吗？
@CaiLei
What Chinese person do you see writing Chinese characters that are so crooked?
Of course you can't write Chinese characters well, because you're not Chinese.
吉姆在这里 British "artifacts" from 1600 years ago — botched forgery.
你见过哪个中国人写的汉字这么歪歪扭扭？
当然他写不好汉字，因为他不是中国人。
吉姆在这里，1600年前的英国“文物”——拙劣的伪造品。
What Chinese person do you see writing Chinese characters that are so crooked?
Of course you can't write Chinese characters well, because you're not Chinese.
吉姆在这里 British "artifacts" from 1600 years ago — botched forgery.
你见过哪个中国人写的汉字这么歪歪扭扭？
当然他写不好汉字，因为他不是中国人。
吉姆在这里，1600年前的英国“文物”——拙劣的伪造品。
@Huang Kun
Few years ago, a Chinese boy was caught vandalizing an engraving inside the Luxor Temple in Egypt. It read: "Ding Jinhao was here.”
The written Chinese characters were also pretty crooked.
几年前，一个中国男孩被抓到在埃及卢克索神庙内涂鸦。上面写着：“丁锦昊到此一游。”
写的汉字也很歪歪扭扭。
Few years ago, a Chinese boy was caught vandalizing an engraving inside the Luxor Temple in Egypt. It read: "Ding Jinhao was here.”
The written Chinese characters were also pretty crooked.
几年前，一个中国男孩被抓到在埃及卢克索神庙内涂鸦。上面写着：“丁锦昊到此一游。”
写的汉字也很歪歪扭扭。
@Peter Chan
You do realize bad people are everywhere right? Not exclusive to China.
你知道坏人到处都有，对吧？不仅仅在中国。
You do realize bad people are everywhere right? Not exclusive to China.
你知道坏人到处都有，对吧？不仅仅在中国。
@Huang Kun
But robbing tombs seem to be more prent in China than the West.
但盗墓在中国似乎比在西方更为普遍。
But robbing tombs seem to be more prent in China than the West.
但盗墓在中国似乎比在西方更为普遍。
@Peter Chan
Maybe because there aren’t any tomb in the US?
也许是因为美国没有什么古墓？
Maybe because there aren’t any tomb in the US?
也许是因为美国没有什么古墓？
@Lilyshell
You are working from a fallacious premise: the official historical records, especially before the Tang, were not that easily changed at will.
I don’t lie much, because telling the truth is simpler. You don’t have to keep all your stories straight. It’s the same with history.
Careful examination of sources shows that some information is wrong. Within the same book, say one of the 24 official histories, you can find contradictions, apply logic, and figure out the most likely event.
你是从一个错误的前提出发的：官方的历史记录，尤其是在唐朝之前，不是那么容易随意改变的。
我不怎么撒谎，因为说实话更简单。你不必把所有的故事都说清楚。历史也是如此。
对来源的仔细检查表明，某些信息是错误的。在同一本书中，比如说24部官方历史中的一本，你可以找到矛盾，运用逻辑，可以出最有可能的真实事件。
You are working from a fallacious premise: the official historical records, especially before the Tang, were not that easily changed at will.
I don’t lie much, because telling the truth is simpler. You don’t have to keep all your stories straight. It’s the same with history.
Careful examination of sources shows that some information is wrong. Within the same book, say one of the 24 official histories, you can find contradictions, apply logic, and figure out the most likely event.
你是从一个错误的前提出发的：官方的历史记录，尤其是在唐朝之前，不是那么容易随意改变的。
我不怎么撒谎，因为说实话更简单。你不必把所有的故事都说清楚。历史也是如此。
对来源的仔细检查表明，某些信息是错误的。在同一本书中，比如说24部官方历史中的一本，你可以找到矛盾，运用逻辑，可以出最有可能的真实事件。
An example is the story that Lü Buwei was Qin Shi Huang’s father. First, that didn’t appear until the Han dynasty, so it rang alarm bells centuries ago. Things just don’t match up. Could Lü really have been that stupid? In recent decades, archeologists have found voluminous records of Qin laws, so we know that ladies were meticulously inspected when they entered the palace, so there is no way a pregnant woman could have slipped in.
Also, for example, the misunderstanding about 趙高 Chao Kao/Zhao Gao, the Emperor’s chariot driver and a huan: in later dynasties, the term referred to a eunuch, so people thought Zhao must have been a eunuch, a slithery, sneaky man. But when the terracotta army was unearthed, something was out of place: chariot drivers were all tall, viral men, at least 190cm, and had to be strong enough to control six horses! Then the records of Qin laws showed that 宦 meant something else to the Qin: it referred to an official who had a relative who had committed a serious crime.
一个例子是吕不韦是秦始皇的父亲的故事。首先，这部书直到汉朝才出现，所以它不可能在几个世纪前就提出了警告。事情就是不匹配。吕真的有那么傻吗？近几十年来，考古学家发现了大量关于秦法的记载，所以我们知道，女士们进宫时都经过了一丝不苟的检查，所以孕妇不可能溜进去。
此外，例如，对赵高、皇帝的车夫宦的误解：在后来的朝代，宦这个词指的是太监，所以人们认为赵也一定是太监，一个狡猾、鬼鬼祟祟的人。但当兵马俑出土时，却有些不对劲：车夫都是身材高大、风气大雅的男人，至少有190cm，而且必须强壮到足以控制六匹马！然后秦法的记载表明，宦对秦国来说还有别的意思：它指的是一个有亲戚犯了严重罪行的官员。
Also, for example, the misunderstanding about 趙高 Chao Kao/Zhao Gao, the Emperor’s chariot driver and a huan: in later dynasties, the term referred to a eunuch, so people thought Zhao must have been a eunuch, a slithery, sneaky man. But when the terracotta army was unearthed, something was out of place: chariot drivers were all tall, viral men, at least 190cm, and had to be strong enough to control six horses! Then the records of Qin laws showed that 宦 meant something else to the Qin: it referred to an official who had a relative who had committed a serious crime.
一个例子是吕不韦是秦始皇的父亲的故事。首先，这部书直到汉朝才出现，所以它不可能在几个世纪前就提出了警告。事情就是不匹配。吕真的有那么傻吗？近几十年来，考古学家发现了大量关于秦法的记载，所以我们知道，女士们进宫时都经过了一丝不苟的检查，所以孕妇不可能溜进去。
此外，例如，对赵高、皇帝的车夫宦的误解：在后来的朝代，宦这个词指的是太监，所以人们认为赵也一定是太监，一个狡猾、鬼鬼祟祟的人。但当兵马俑出土时，却有些不对劲：车夫都是身材高大、风气大雅的男人，至少有190cm，而且必须强壮到足以控制六匹马！然后秦法的记载表明，宦对秦国来说还有别的意思：它指的是一个有亲戚犯了严重罪行的官员。
Qin Shi Huang did bury people, but Li Kaiyuan has pretty well demolished the story that he buried scholars. When you examine these things carefully, they don’t hold water.
The examples I just mentioned are from earlier times. In later times, there are also a bunch of secondary sources, notes, memoirs, and so forth.
Of course this requires careful work, and there is still a lot left to keep scholars busy for generations, but overall, as they say, the truth will out.
秦始皇确实埋了些人，但李开元已经很好地拆解了他埋葬儒生的故事。当你仔细检查这些东西时，它们就会站不住脚。
我刚才提到的例子来自更早的时代。在后来的时代，还有一堆二手资料、笔记、回忆录等等。
当然，这需要仔细的工作，还有很多事情要让学者们忙上几代人，但总的来说，正如他们所说，真相会大白于天下。
The examples I just mentioned are from earlier times. In later times, there are also a bunch of secondary sources, notes, memoirs, and so forth.
Of course this requires careful work, and there is still a lot left to keep scholars busy for generations, but overall, as they say, the truth will out.
秦始皇确实埋了些人，但李开元已经很好地拆解了他埋葬儒生的故事。当你仔细检查这些东西时，它们就会站不住脚。
我刚才提到的例子来自更早的时代。在后来的时代，还有一堆二手资料、笔记、回忆录等等。
当然，这需要仔细的工作，还有很多事情要让学者们忙上几代人，但总的来说，正如他们所说，真相会大白于天下。
@Robert Matthews
Much food for thought. Yes, words and customs change over time. Historians and readers of history books must be on guard against anachronistic interpretations.
An amusing example of an anachronism was a palace drama I saw decades ago that showed 秦始皇 Chyn Shyyhwang, the first emperor, sitting on a chair hundreds of years before they appeared in China. Linguistic anachronism can be even more difficult to spot.
很多值得深思的东西。是的，文字和习俗会随着时间而变化。历史学家和历史书籍的读者必须警惕不合时宜的解释。
一个不合时宜的有趣例子是几十年前我看到的一部宫廷剧，该剧展示了第一位皇帝秦始皇坐在椅子上，那把椅子比他们出现在中国早了几百年。而语言上的不合时宜可能更难发现。
Much food for thought. Yes, words and customs change over time. Historians and readers of history books must be on guard against anachronistic interpretations.
An amusing example of an anachronism was a palace drama I saw decades ago that showed 秦始皇 Chyn Shyyhwang, the first emperor, sitting on a chair hundreds of years before they appeared in China. Linguistic anachronism can be even more difficult to spot.
很多值得深思的东西。是的，文字和习俗会随着时间而变化。历史学家和历史书籍的读者必须警惕不合时宜的解释。
一个不合时宜的有趣例子是几十年前我看到的一部宫廷剧，该剧展示了第一位皇帝秦始皇坐在椅子上，那把椅子比他们出现在中国早了几百年。而语言上的不合时宜可能更难发现。
@Jason Le
What an interesting point! It never dawned upon me that the throne may not actually be accurate til after the Han dynasty!
多么有趣的观点！我从来没想过，直到汉朝之后，王座才算准确出现！
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
What an interesting point! It never dawned upon me that the throne may not actually be accurate til after the Han dynasty!
多么有趣的观点！我从来没想过，直到汉朝之后，王座才算准确出现！
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
@@Robert Matthews
Chairs became widespread in the Song Dynasty (1000+ years after the first emperor took power), but they do appear sporadically in Tang paintings. Earlier emperors apparently sat on an elevated platform, a dais.
椅子在宋代（第一位皇帝掌权后1000+年）才开始流行，但它们确实偶尔出现在唐代绘画中。早期的皇帝显然坐在一个高台上
Chairs became widespread in the Song Dynasty (1000+ years after the first emperor took power), but they do appear sporadically in Tang paintings. Earlier emperors apparently sat on an elevated platform, a dais.
椅子在宋代（第一位皇帝掌权后1000+年）才开始流行，但它们确实偶尔出现在唐代绘画中。早期的皇帝显然坐在一个高台上
@Noel Leong
“Ancient Chinese historical documents were easily changed at the will of the rulers”
The above statement is easier said than done. Firstly, the history of an emperor was written by court officers after his death and not before. So, it’s quite impossible for the emperor to change anything when he was no longer around. Secondly, there’s not only one historical record and history was written not by a single court officer, but by court historian as well as scholars who did not take order from the emperor. Thirdly, even if a subsequent emperor wanted to change what history recorded about his father (the previous emperor), he wouldn’t have the time to go through every records as he would be busy with his work and the women in the imperial harem. Fourthly, after the Qin/Han era, there’s proper protocol and system to follow for official recording of history which the emperor has no right to interfere.
“中国古代历史文献很容易按照统治者的意愿进行更改”
上述说法说起来容易做起来难。首先，皇帝的历史是在他死后而不是之前由宫廷官员写的。所以，皇帝不在的时候，是不可能改变任何事情的。其次，历史记录不仅只有一个，而且历史不是由一个宫廷官员写的，而是由宫廷历史学家和不听从皇帝命令的学者写的。第三，即使后来的皇帝想改变历史对他父亲（前任皇帝）的记载，他也没有时间仔细阅读每一份记录，因为他会忙于他的工作和皇室后宫的女人。第四，在秦汉时代之后，有适当的礼仪和制度可以遵循官方记录历史，皇帝无权干涉。
“Ancient Chinese historical documents were easily changed at the will of the rulers”
The above statement is easier said than done. Firstly, the history of an emperor was written by court officers after his death and not before. So, it’s quite impossible for the emperor to change anything when he was no longer around. Secondly, there’s not only one historical record and history was written not by a single court officer, but by court historian as well as scholars who did not take order from the emperor. Thirdly, even if a subsequent emperor wanted to change what history recorded about his father (the previous emperor), he wouldn’t have the time to go through every records as he would be busy with his work and the women in the imperial harem. Fourthly, after the Qin/Han era, there’s proper protocol and system to follow for official recording of history which the emperor has no right to interfere.
“中国古代历史文献很容易按照统治者的意愿进行更改”
上述说法说起来容易做起来难。首先，皇帝的历史是在他死后而不是之前由宫廷官员写的。所以，皇帝不在的时候，是不可能改变任何事情的。其次，历史记录不仅只有一个，而且历史不是由一个宫廷官员写的，而是由宫廷历史学家和不听从皇帝命令的学者写的。第三，即使后来的皇帝想改变历史对他父亲（前任皇帝）的记载，他也没有时间仔细阅读每一份记录，因为他会忙于他的工作和皇室后宫的女人。第四，在秦汉时代之后，有适当的礼仪和制度可以遵循官方记录历史，皇帝无权干涉。
@Ed Wong
Historians do not rely on a single source. Things have to add up. As crime drama tells you, there is no perfect crime.
历史学家不依赖单一来源。事情必须加起来。正如犯罪剧告诉你的那样，没有完美的犯罪。
Historians do not rely on a single source. Things have to add up. As crime drama tells you, there is no perfect crime.
历史学家不依赖单一来源。事情必须加起来。正如犯罪剧告诉你的那样，没有完美的犯罪。
@George Hu
I can answer this with a single idiom that is often used in historical discussions.
A single source is not valid evidence.
It is possible that a historical source had been tampered with. However, more often it could easily be written with some form of bias, called Spring and Autumn writing technique in Chinese, and it was present in all forms of history books since…the Spring and Autumn period. The author used subtle praise and criticism to reflect on his personal opinions towards certain matters.
我可以用一个在历史讨论中经常使用的成语来回答这个问题。
孤证不立.
历史资料可能被篡改了。然而，更多时候，它很容易被写成某种形式的偏见，在中文中称为春秋笔法，从那时起，它就出现在各种形式的历史书中......春秋时期。作者用微妙的赞美和批评来反思他对某些事情的个人看法。
I can answer this with a single idiom that is often used in historical discussions.
A single source is not valid evidence.
It is possible that a historical source had been tampered with. However, more often it could easily be written with some form of bias, called Spring and Autumn writing technique in Chinese, and it was present in all forms of history books since…the Spring and Autumn period. The author used subtle praise and criticism to reflect on his personal opinions towards certain matters.
我可以用一个在历史讨论中经常使用的成语来回答这个问题。
孤证不立.
历史资料可能被篡改了。然而，更多时候，它很容易被写成某种形式的偏见，在中文中称为春秋笔法，从那时起，它就出现在各种形式的历史书中......春秋时期。作者用微妙的赞美和批评来反思他对某些事情的个人看法。
@AlexanderBoon
I learned another point of view from another author aya on the Chinese topic, which I think is very reasonable. "Cross-reference" Because there are so many ancient Chinese documents, those ancient scholars often refer to other documents they saw at the time when compiling their own documents. So they will quote the contents of other documents in their own books. This kind of reference forms a complex cross-relationship. If you modify the content of a book, you must modify dozens of books related to it. This was basically impossible to do in ancient times. This has formed a blockchain effect in Chinese historical documents, which is difficult to tamper with.
我在另一个中国主题的作者Aya那里了解到了一另一种观点，我认为非常有道理
”交叉引用“
由于中国古代文献实在太多，那些古代学者在编写自己的文献时，往往会参考他当时看到的其他文献。所以他们会在自己的书中引用其他文献的内容
这种引用形成了复杂的交叉关系。 如果你修改一本书的内容，你必须修改与之关联的数十种书。这在古代基本是不可能做到的。
这让中国历史文献形成了一种区块链效应，难以篡改
I learned another point of view from another author aya on the Chinese topic, which I think is very reasonable. "Cross-reference" Because there are so many ancient Chinese documents, those ancient scholars often refer to other documents they saw at the time when compiling their own documents. So they will quote the contents of other documents in their own books. This kind of reference forms a complex cross-relationship. If you modify the content of a book, you must modify dozens of books related to it. This was basically impossible to do in ancient times. This has formed a blockchain effect in Chinese historical documents, which is difficult to tamper with.
我在另一个中国主题的作者Aya那里了解到了一另一种观点，我认为非常有道理
”交叉引用“
由于中国古代文献实在太多，那些古代学者在编写自己的文献时，往往会参考他当时看到的其他文献。所以他们会在自己的书中引用其他文献的内容
这种引用形成了复杂的交叉关系。 如果你修改一本书的内容，你必须修改与之关联的数十种书。这在古代基本是不可能做到的。
这让中国历史文献形成了一种区块链效应，难以篡改
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