Albert E. Dien’s Biography of Yü-Wen Hu offers a comprehensive translation and analysis of a pivotal historical figure in northern China’s sixth century. Through a detailed rendering of the Chou shu biography, this work explores the complex interplay between Confucian ideals and the governance of the Northern Chou dynasty, a state ruled by leaders of non-Chinese origin. Dien’s annotations illuminate how the historian of the Chou shu adeptly portrays the Yü-Wen rulers as fully sinified, reflecting the successful integration of Confucian moral and political norms into their administration. This biography not only captures the turbulent dynamics of the era but also reveals the broader sociocultural transition from tribal leadership to a Confucian state.

Scholars and students of Chinese history will find this volume invaluable for its rigorous attention to historical detail and sociopolitical context. Yü-Wen Hu’s rise to power as regent and his deft handling of internal court conflicts are presented as a lens to examine broader themes of authority, loyalty, and cultural transformation. Dien’s work underscores the Northern Chou’s ambitious emulation of the ancient Chou dynasty, offering a nuanced perspective on how Confucian principles shaped political legitimacy and statecraft in early medieval China. Ideal for sinologists and comparative historians, this translation bridges historical narrative and cultural analysis, making it an essential resource for understanding this transformative period in Chinese history.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1962.