Ouyang Xiu's production of monumental writings

When producing monumental writings,Ouyang Xiu aimed at immortal existance,adhered to the guideline of“recording things as they are in decent language”,tried to be truthful and realistic,and recorded only what was important.The contents of Detailed Version of Zi Zhi Tong Jian(Continued)and History of the Song Dyˉnasty chiefly come from Ouyang s monumental writings.Many notes of Song-Dynasty people are identical with Ouyang's monamental writings,and so people can consult both of them.Ouyang s monumental writings have handed down precious historical knowledge as well as valuable historical data.We should not treat Ouyang s monumental writings all in the same manner;We should put them into different categories and study them.Of all the monumental writings those about friends and famous officials are the most weighty.Some of those about relative and female persons are fairly good,but those about imperial clansmen,chiefly showing categories and expounding concepts,are not of great value.Ouyang s indelible memory of the Qingli-related and Luoyang-related affairs had great influence upon his production of mounmental writings.Ouyang Xiu derived rich nourishment from Han Yu s monumental writings and from Sima Qian s Historical Records in particular,and his monumental writings about friends and relatives are filled with profound and earnest feelings,unique in style,and rich in artistic charm.