Chapter 1529: History Book (Part II)

"Writing history is certainly useful. First, it can tell future generations what we have done and what kind of achievements we have made. Second, it provides a reference for future generations, telling all descendants how our generation handled certain problems when we encountered them.

If we succeeded, they can learn to do the same; if we failed, then they can eliminate a wrong method.

Of course, history has another greatest use: right now, our generation, before you do anything, think first about how the History Book will write about you. If you commit a major mistake, a major evil, or a major bad deed, then the History Book will record it, and even hundreds or thousands of years later, people will still be able to see it and know about this matter. If you do not want your reputation to be ruined in later ages, you must pay attention to your behavior.

If you do good deeds and have great merits, then naturally, because of history and the History Book, all people in later ages will know about it. Tell me, isn't that so?"

Xuanyuan stroked his beard: "Baifeng, what you say is very reasonable, but how can you be sure that the people who record history will write according to the true situation? What if I make them write falsehoods?"

"This requires choosing good Historians. People of this kind should not fear our power and should not change facts because of our demands, even if we say we will kill them, they must not be able to change it.

Another thing is mutual verification. There cannot be only one History Book in the world. Huaxia and the Xuanyuan Tribe should each keep their own records. For some major events concerning the world, the final one will certainly have some records. Future generations can infer whose record is true through the content of different History Books. Also, one can carve particularly major events onto stone, or specifically cast large Bronze ware and then carve characters on them to record it.

Even if they are buried underground in the future, after thousands of years, when they are dug out of the soil, the characters will still be visible, and future generations will also be able to know what happened in this world."

Xuanyuan was now shocked: "Baifeng, why do you know this in such detail, and have thought about it so thoroughly? Where exactly did you get these things from? It truly makes me feel very fearful."

"You don't need to worry about where I got them or how I know them. Anyway, just use them. We in Huaxia will use them, so you can rest assured. I will not harm you."

Xuanyuan nodded: "Fine, I will listen to you on this. I will select people to write history, but how should this history be written?"

"There are many ways to write it. You can specifically record a certain person, or you can specifically record a certain event. Of course, I think it is possible to do both together.

For example, if we write a Huaxia History, then there will be specific accounts of how our Huaxia developed and what major events occurred.

Another book would be to write about the main figures of our Huaxia, those who made great contributions to our Huaxia. Anyway, that is how History Books are; generally, just writing the main content is enough.

Now, I will let these two of them write the opening of our Huaxia History. However, Xuanyuan, I still want to say, are you not planning to change your title? You still call yourself Tribal Chief or leader; have you not thought about calling yourself King?"

The Xuanyuan Tribe already had an official rank system, so there would be no problem with Xuanyuan calling himself King or Emperor. Compared to Tribal Chief, it was just changing a title.

So Xuanyuan was very casual: "King is fine, Tribal Chief is also fine. They are both titles of the same status; there is no difference."

"I think there is still some. For example, now you are called Tribal Chief, and your people call me King of Huaxia. I find it very uncomfortable to hear; I always feel it is inconvenient. If both were called King, there wouldn't be so much trouble. You are a King, and I am a King; there is no need to consider the issue of titles."

Xuanyuan shook his head slightly and smiled: "I didn't expect you to care about these things. Then in the future, I will also call myself King, and the people of our Xuanyuan Tribe will just call you King as well."

"Good, that will do." Baifeng clapped his hands: "Come, you are ready to start writing."

The two people Baifeng brought quickly dipped their brushes in ink, then flattened the paper, preparing to start the battle.

"First, write the main title 'Huaxia History', and write the opening.

On the twentieth day of the third month of Year One of the Human Calendar, King Baifeng and King Xuanyuan, in Qingqiu City of the Xuanyuan Tribe, discussed the matter of the calendar. The two kings each ordered several people to observe the movements of the sun, moon, and stars, to examine the changes of the four seasons, and to draft the twenty-four Solar Terms. Only then did the world have fixed time, and only then did the times for farming and resting have certainty. The two kings named the calendar the Agricultural Calendar, and also set the era name of the world as the Human Calendar."

Baifeng clapped his hands again: "Good, this is the opening of our Huaxia History. If you want to write the Xuanyuan Tribe History, you can also use such an opening. Anyway, I just used this major event of us formulating the calendar and setting the era name to write it.

As for you people who created the calendar, Huaxia will specifically open a book of biographies. As long as there is a contribution, it will be recorded. In the Huaxia History, the process of formulating the calendar will also be recorded in detail; Huaxia's, the Xuanyuan Tribe's, everyone will be recorded.

Actually, I am thinking, Xuanyuan, if possible, our two tribes can jointly open a World History. Not only recording our own, but the other side's, the entire world's, can all be recorded. For example, major events that happened to the Shennong Clan can be written in, the Jiuli's, the Suiren's, all major events can be written in. What do you think?"

Xuanyuan was still unable to fully understand the power and importance of the History Book, but he felt this was not a big deal, so he casually agreed.

Baifeng pressed his advantage: "Then if possible, let's each send one or two Historians to the other side. If there are any major events, we can observe and record them for each other.

If you think that won't work, then every few years, we can communicate with each other, and then the Historians of the two tribes can exchange historical materials and each compile a World History. What do you think?"

"Let's go with the second option. There's no need to be that troublesome. If we were to send Historians to each other, we don't have many people in our Xuanyuan Tribe who can write now; there's no need to go through all that trouble."

"Fine, the second option it is. Anyway, you must still attach importance to history and the History Book. It is not only able to record current things, but it is also a treasure that can be left to your descendants. To your descendants hundreds of years later, a well-compiled, true History Book is more important and more precious than a room full of Bronze and Iron you leave for them.

Anyway, these are my suggestions. It depends on whether you are willing to attach importance to it.

Anyway, Xuanyuan, now that the calendar has been revised, those people of mine should return to Huaxia. In the future, we can communicate about calendar matters every few years to ensure our calendars are all on the right path. I will no longer send people to be stationed at the Xuanyuan Tribe."