The 27 Classics on the Keju
I might be the only one interested in the fiction/non-fiction parallels in TPW series, but in case anyone else finds this useful one day, I have compiled a list of the classical Chinese texts that may have been featured on the Keju. It was actually incredibly difficult to find 27 classics since I had to omit all of the ones related to warfare, which were only taught at Sinegard in the books.
The first three texts were mentioned in the first book. Zhuangzi was a real philosopher (as were Mengzi and Fuzi), but his compiled works were simply called the Zhuangzi, which was a foundational text on Taoism. The version in TPW is apparently very dry and obtuse, but the real Zhuangzi text has a lot of humorous and interesting anecdotes, fables, and other tales that challenge you to think (and some of which, interpretations are debated to this day). Mengzi was a Confucian philosopher second only to Confucius/Fuzi. His work is also called the Mengzi and does seem to his reflections on his political philosophy after traveling and meeting various rulers. Interestingly, he believed that human nature is innately good. Fuzi is more well known to the West as Confucius, and the Analects are a reflection of his Confucian teachings about what makes a good ruler, and how people should live to be a “君子” (junzi), a gentleman or respectable person (the concept is not innately gendered).
Some of these are not philosophical texts; the Hundred Family Surnames is a list of names children started off learning, the Thousand Character Classic is similarly a starter text in the form of a poem. One of these is actually a dictionary.
Reflections on Statecraft by Mengzi
Classic of Poetry by Fuzi
Doctrine of the Mean/The Middle Way by Zisi
Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial by Baode
Progress Towards Correctness (Erya)
The Commentary of Zuo by Zuo Qiuming
The Commentary of Gongyang
The Commentary of Guliang by Guliang
Discussion of Heaven and Human Disposition (Xunzi) by Xun Kuang
The Book of Lord Shang by Shang Yang
Thousand Character Classic
Writings of Master Shi (Shizi) by Shi Jiao
Writings of the Huainan Masters (Huainanzi)
Records of the Grand Historian by Jima Qian
Master Lü’s Spring and Autumn Annals (Lüshi Chunqiu) by Lü Buwei
Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals by Dong Zhongshu
