| Abstract |
The authenticity of the Shih-chi (The Grand Scribe’s Records) 123 “Ta-yüan lieh-chauan (Memoir on Ta-yüan)” has always been controversial, such as Professor A. F. Hulsewé claims this chapter is no longer in the original form but a later compilation or a reconstruction based on the Han Shu. Of course, more scholars do not agree with this view and suggested that “Ta-yüan liehchauan”should be the original. This article is based on the previous scholars’ efforts and provides some new evidences to support for the authenticity of the “Ta-yüan lieh-chauan”. In this paper we found the term “the next year” (the following year) was an idiomatic usage of Ssu-ma Ch’ien’s writing style, this term in “Ta-yüan lieh-chauan” like other chapters was frequently used. In addition we found some problems about the Western Region history in Han period also prove the authenticity of the “Ta-yüan lieh-chauan”: First, the term “The City in the West” is the problem; Second, the issue of Wu-sun’s homeland; Third, the process of the Greater Yueh-shih’s migration when they moved westward to Central Asia. As a result of the above examination of textural criticism, there is no conclusive evidence, either external or internal, to support Professor Hulsewé’s hypothesis on the spuriousness of “Ta-yüan lieh-chauan” |
