Abstract:

Zhang Dai's historical prose, as the representative work in depth of thinking of that time, indicates the tideway of the historical prose by Ming loyalists in the early Qing Dynasty. While he probed into the multiple, inherent reasons why the Ming Dynasty was led to downfall, he paid tribute to the national righteousness, splendid talent and ideal life-style from lowdown plebeians. And he also understood initially the fundamental force of historical development. Therefore his prose became the herald of later works such as The Scholars that placed one's hope on common people and rare talents.

Key words: historical prose, study of historical subjects, Zhang Dai