The Variation of Description to Emperor Jianwen in Memoir of Ming Dynasty

The Memoir of Ming Dynasty,which was compiled under the control of the direct line of descent of Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty,had a clear trend of excludability and covering up the historical fact that the original Emperor of Jianwen was overthrown by Emperor Chengzu.This writing reveals such a trend that how the official historiography dealt with the important roles which were suppressed by the ruling group.It reflects the amnesic destiny of disgraced persons in historiography in the Caesarism.Also,it shows that with the relaxation of imperial power and the change of atmosphere of scholars,the memoir of the late Ming Dynasty which was compiled by historical officials,began to change the old way of covering up the history about Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty,and frequently to record the history about this emperor with the request of his rehabilitation.These changes indicate that there was a discrepancy between the ethic value and political interest,within the Confucian ministers which represented the empire’s ideology and the emperors who represented the superstructure of political society.