Tang dynasty Zhengyi commentaries on the Five Classics

Timeline

1. c. 630–653Chang'an · GuanzhongEmperor Taizong ordered Yan Shigu to standardize the text of the Five Classics and Kong Yingda and others to compose the Zhengyi commentaries; they were promulgated empire-wide in the fourth year of Yonghui, unifying canonical texts and commentary interpretations and ending the confusion of classical interpretations that had prevailed since the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
2. c. 701–755the twin capitals Chang'an and Luoyang · ChinaThe Five Classics Zhengyi became the basis for the jinshi and mingjing examinations, and the Guozijian and prefectural and county schools used it as a teaching text, spreading classical knowledge widely through society via the imperial examination system.
3. c. 756–800Chang'an · GuanzhongAfter the An Lushan Rebellion, Han Yu and others advocated the Ancient Prose Movement, but the Five Classics Zhengyi remained the authority of official classical studies; its commentaries were transmitted to Japan by imperial envoys, influencing Confucian education in the Nara and Heian periods.