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Shilu 實錄, or "veritable records," are a type of chronicle focused on the reign of a single emperor. They are arranged chronologically and record all significant political, economic, military, and cultural decisions and events, including natural disasters and social circumstances, as well as private matters of the emperors, such as marriage or funerals. Veritable records contain a wealth of material and are written with great accuracy in every detail. They often served as sources for the compilation of official dynastic histories (zhengshi 正史).
The language used in the memorials recorded in the official records is highly standardised and does not always directly address the matters.
The earliest surviving veritable records are those of Emperor Wu 梁武帝 (r. 502-549) from the Liang period 梁 (502-557), the Liang huangdi shilu 梁皇帝實錄 compiled under the supervision of Zhou Xingsi 周興嗣 (469-521).
From the Tang period 唐 (618-907), it became customary that after the death of each emperor, the authentic records of his reign were compiled. The compilation had to be ordered by his successor and was carried out by a specially designated staff of historians who examined the archives for important documents to be included.
The last veritable records were compiled for the Guangxu Emperor 光緒 (r. 1874-1908) of the Qing dynasty 清 (1644-1911). Of all 116 veritable records, only a small part has survived. From the Tang period, only those of Emperor Shunzong 唐順宗 (r. 805) survive, the Shunzong shilu 順宗實錄, compiled under the supervision of the writer, historian, and philosopher Han Yu 韓愈 (768-824). From the Song period 宋 (960-1279), only a fragment of 20 juan of the veritable records of Emperor Taizong 宋太宗 (r. 976-997) survives, the Taizong shilu 太宗實錄.
Ming 明 (1368-1644) and Qing period veritable records have survived completely, namely the Ming shilu 明實錄, and the Qing shilu 清實錄, respectively.
In rare cases, private writings can bear the title of "veritable records", like Li Ao's 李翱 (774年-836) Huangzu shilu 皇祖實錄 from the Tang period.