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Secondary sourceDocumentcompiled after his reign

Ming Shilu

compiled after his reign

The official court chronicle recording the day-by-day acts, edicts and events of Ming emperors, including the Yongle Emperor's reign.

The official chronicle recording the acts and administration of his reign as emperor.

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Cover of a traditional Chinese bound volume, grey-green with a cream label framed by dark double borders. The label reads 明實錄 明孝宗寶訓 in black vertical characters. White stitching lines run down the right edge.
Ming Shilu (Ming Veritable Records), official court chronicle of the Ming dynasty.

About this source

What it is

The Ming Shilu, or Ming Veritable Records, are the official annals of the Ming emperors, compiled after each emperor's death from court diaries, daily records, memorials and other government papers. The section for the Yongle Emperor documents his edicts, campaigns and administration in detail. The full set runs to thousands of volumes and millions of words.

Why it matters

As the core documentary source for Ming history, the Shilu was later used by Qing historians to write the official History of Ming. It shows how later generations tried to preserve a detailed record of imperial rule, though it was compiled by court officials after the emperor's death, which shapes what was included or left out.

Look closer

  • Who decided what went into this record, and why might that matter?
  • Since it was written after the emperor died, how reliable might it be about his own voice?
  • What kinds of events might be left out of an official court record like this?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Yongle Emperor on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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