Shiji Sanguo Encyclopedia
A single institutional term in a story can change our understanding of a person's situation. Starting with six terms in Shiji Sanguo's first chapter, this area offers plain-language explanations, reading examples, and sources, and explains how to distinguish historical material, narrative reconstruction, and diagrams.
No matching explanations.
Explanations of the Work's Notes
Is governing at court (linchao) the same as becoming emperor?
In the context of Shiji Sanguo's first-chapter notes, linchao means the empress dowager taking a leading role in court decisions when the emperor is young or unable to govern personally. It does not mean she separately becomes emperor.
Explanations of the Work's Notes
What are seal and ribbon (yinshou)? How do granting and reclaiming them differ?
The seal is an official seal; the ribbon is the cord used to wear it. In the first chapter's public notes, yinshou is an important credential of an official's status and authority. Granting it often marks formal appointment; reclaiming it may mean dismissal or removal of status.
Explanations of the Work's Notes
Are partisans (dangren) political-party members?
In these public notes, dangren refers to scholars, officials, and members of their networks whom the court regarded as forming factions during the Eastern Han partisan prohibitions. They are not members of modern parties with fixed organizations, platforms, and membership.
Explanations of the Work's Notes
Does political disqualification (jingu) mean imprisonment?
In the context of Shiji Sanguo's first-chapter notes, jingu mainly means a penalty barring political eligibility such as advancement into office or appointment. Seeing the term alone does not mean someone was continually confined in prison.
Explanations of the Work's Notes
What is an imperially sealed document (xishu)? How is it distinct from official and private seals?
The first chapter's public notes explain xishu as a formal document bearing the emperor's seal and issued in his name. Xi here means the imperial seal, not an ordinary private seal. Xishu is not merely the seal itself.
Explanations of the Work's Notes
What are buqu? Are they like modern departments?
The first chapter's public notes say late Han buqu can refer to followers or troops under a general or faction, often with a personal-dependency aspect. It does not mean a department in a modern organization.
Explanations of the Writing Method
How do historical sources, narrative reconstruction, and diagrams differ?
First ask what kind of material a passage is, then what it can support. Reconstructed dialogue, actions, and scenes are not surviving verbatim records. Diagrams and artistic reconstructions are not automatically portraits or evidence of archaeological restoration.
Reading Guide to the Series and Editions
Which should I read first: the main history or the biographies?
To follow developments chronologically from 168 to 280, start with the main history's first chapter. If you already have a person in mind, begin with that biography's book description. These are different entry points; you need not buy the entire set to begin.
Put the Terms Back into the Story
Chapter One: Dou Wu, Chen Fan, and Shifts in Court Power
Read Chapter One Free · Main History: Content and Editions