Shiji

The Shiji, also known as the Records of the Grand Historian, is an ancient Chinese historical text compiled by Sima Qian around 100 BCE. It is a comprehensive chronicle that covers Chinese history from the legendary Yellow Emperor to the Han Dynasty’s early centuries. The Shiji combines chronological history, biographies, and cultural insights, providing a detailed understanding of China's political, social, and economic life over centuries. It serves as a foundational work for Chinese history, blending factual account with storytelling, and has influenced many subsequent historical writings in China and beyond.