Book of Tang

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The Book of Tang or the Old Book of Tang (舊唐書/旧唐书) is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941. Its lead editor, Liu Xu (劉昫), the chief minister and director of the National History redacted it during the last years of his life, and presented it to the Emperor Chidi in 945.

It is a compilation of earlier annals, now lost; it further incorporates other monographs and biographies, using as sources (for instance) the Tongdian of Du You.

After this was revised during the Song Dynasty into the New Book of Tang, Liu Xu's work continued to be preserved as the Old Book of Tang. It has been canonised in the Twenty-Four Histories.

Book of Tang

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