On Zhang Juzheng’s Devotion to Historical Science

Though ZhangJuzheng was mainly concentrated on political activities all his life, he could fairly claim a place in the history of historical science of Ming Dynasty by virtue of his practice and achievements in historical science. On one hand, he took charge of modifying such official books as Veritable Records of Shizong of Ming Dynasty, Veritable Records of Muzong of Ming Dynasty and Books and Records of Wanli’s reign, etc., raising many renovation measures to perfect the system of historiographers’ office in Ming Dynasty; on the other hand, as the head member of the cabinet, he restored and reconstructed the annotation of daily life that had been long cast aside by exerting his own power.