『通典』編纂始末考 : とくにその上獻の時期をめぐって

Abstract

Concerning the year of presentation of the Tong-dian, there three different viewpoints. They are 794, 801 and 803. The first view (794) seems wrong because some articles after this year appeared in the text of the Tong-dian and it does not fit the actual period of compilation which extended for thirty-six years too. The third view (804) is also questionable, in view of the fact that the Tong-dian had already been presented by the beginning of the year before 803 recorded in the Yu-hai 『玉海』. Hence, the second view (801, the seventeenth year of Zhenyuan 貞元) is most credible. After the suppression of the rebellion of the Xuzhou Army 徐州節度使軍 in 800, Du You made repeated requests for resignation from his post of military governor of Huainan province 淮南節度使. Besides, he complained that his term of office was exeptionally long, and recommended the central government of the Tang 唐 to appoint Wang E 王鍔 to be his successor so that he could be ready to return to the capital, Chang'an. In such circumstances, he presented the Tong-dian to the Emperor De-zong 徳宗 with the desire to prove himself indispensable to the central government. Similarly, the compilation of the Li-dao yao-jue 『理道要訣』 commenced in the next year was also motivated by this intension. In conclusion, the compilation and presentation of the Tong-dian together with the Li-dao yao-jue should be regarded as part of Du You's political activities especially considering the fact that his renown at court reached its peak at that time.