Nanzhao yeshi 南詔野史

Nanzhao yeshi 南詔野史 is an "unofficial history" (yeshi) of Yunnan, a region once controlled by the native state of Nanzhao. The book of 1 juan length was initially written by Ni Lu 倪輅 (fl. 1522), and revised by Yang Shen 楊慎 (1488-1559), who also added headlines to the text. In 1633, Ruan Yuansheng 阮元聲 abbreviated and polished the text. Another revision was made by Hu Wei 胡蔚 during the late 18th century. Apart from that, the book also exists is various local versions (the Zhubi Shanfang 珠碧山房 edition rated as the best), some of which critically revised, and with commentaries, for instance, the 1990 edition of the Yunnan Renmin Chubanshe 雲南人民出版社.

Ni Lu, also called Ni Yuanlu 倪元璐, courtesy name Yuru 玉汝, style Hongbao 鴻寶 or Yuanke 園客, hailed from Kunming 昆明 and obtained the juren degree in 1522. He served as district magistrate of Weiyuan 威遠 (today's Jinggu 景谷, Yunnan).

The first part of the book is arranged thematically and explains the local conditions of Yunnan in the style of a local gazetteer. It speaks about geography, astronomy (xingye 星野), famous spots, and the local tribes of the Six Zhao (Liu Zhao 六詔) and presents the biographies and names of local officials, "worthies" (mingxian 名賢), and the examination system during the Yuan 元 (1279-1368) and the early Ming period 明 (1368-1644).

The second part of the book is based on a chronicle called Bai gu tongji 白古通紀 (now lost) written in the language of the Bai people 白族 as well as various documents in Chinese language. It narrates the history of the region of Yunnan from ancient times, detailing the various statelets founded by various tribes and the dynasties they founded, like Nanzhao 南詔 (617-902; Meng dynasty 蒙, thus also called Da Meng guo 大蒙國), Da Changhe 大長和 (903-927), Da Tianxing 大天興 (928-929), Da Yining 大義寧 (930-937), Dali 大理 (938-1094; Duan dynasty 段), Dazhong 大中 (1095) and Later Dali 後大理 (1096-1253). The events until the beginning of the Ming period and the imperial conquest of Yunnan are less detailed. Apart from historical facts, Ni's book presents popular stories and facts about the practice of Buddhism in Yunnan. The Nanzhao yeshi includes much information not found in the official dynastic histories.

The text is found in the series Gujin wenyi congshu 古今文藝叢書, Zhongguo yeshi jicheng 中國野史集成, and Zhonghua wenshi congshu 中華文史叢書 and quoted in the book Yunnan beizheng lu 雲南備征錄.

There is a French translation of the book by Sainson, Camille. 1904. Nan-tchao ye-che 南詔野史: Histoire particulière du Nan-tchao; traduction d'une histoire de l'ancien Yun-nan. Paris: Leroux.