The Three Sus' Historical Reviews

The Three Sus, talented at both history and literature, created plenty of historical essays.Their essays are classified into two categories: critique on historical events and critique on historical studies.The former lays stress on observation and analysis of contemporary events, aims at drawing lessons from the past; while the latter is famous for Su Xun's view of historiography and Confucian classics, Su Shi's orthodox theory and Su Zhe's commentary on Shiji.All of their reviews were written magnificently and wittily in style and comments, discussing the gains and losses, seldom dealing with cardinal guides and constant virtues, which meant the Three Sus' yardstick of historical critique was radically different from those of neo-Confucians.This yardstick not only occupied an important position in the Song Dynasty, but also had a great influence in the history thereafter.