Textual Differences in Writing the History of the Tang Empire in the Chronicles "The Old Book of Tang" and "The New Book of Tang"

Abstract This study embarks on a detailed examination of the textual differences between two classic historical works on the Tang Dynasty, “The Old Book of Tang” and “The New Book of Tang”. By conducting a comparative analysis, particularly of chapters 8-10 of “The Old Book of Tang” and the corresponding chapters of “The New Book of Tang”, this research aims to unravel the complexities of historiography and to gain a deeper understanding of how historical narratives are shaped, revised, and reinterpreted over time. Employing a methodological approach that combines textual analysis with historical contextualization, the study seeks to shed light on the evolution of historical writing and the nuances of historical processes during the Tang period (712-763 AD). The expected outcomes include novel insights into the development of historiography in the Tang Dynasty, potentially contributing to a deeper understanding of how historical narratives are constructed and transformed across different epochs. Keywords: Jiu Tang shu; Xin Tang shu; Tang Dynasty; comparative analysis; evolution of historical writing; interpretation of historical narratives