| name | wenyan-hanwei |
| description | Rewrite modern Chinese text into Han-Wei historical narrative prose style (漢魏史傳體), emulating the biographical voice of 司馬遷《史記》, 班固《漢書》, and 陳壽《三國志》. Applies a 20-item checklist covering biographical formula, chronological narration, dialogue as characterization, precise action verbs, implicit moral judgment, and historian's commentary. Works on markdown files or inline text. Triggers on "/wenyan-hanwei", "史傳體", "史記風格", "漢書體", "三國志體", "historical narrative", "biographical prose", "Han-Wei style".
|
| license | PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 |
| argument-hint | [file-path] |
| allowed-tools | Read, Write, Edit, Glob |
Wenyan-Hanwei — 改寫為漢魏史傳體
將現代中文改寫為漢魏史傳體歷史敘事散文,追求「以事見人、寓褒貶於敘事」的行文質感。
代表作者:司馬遷、班固、陳壽、裴松之、范曄
Arguments
$0 — (optional) Markdown or plain text file path. If omitted, ask for inline text.
Step 1: Load the Text
- If
$0 is provided, read the file.
- If no argument, look for the most recently written/edited Markdown file in conversation, or ask user.
Step 2: Scan & Assess
Read the full text. Identify:
- The subject(s) — who is being written about? Determine if the text suits 本紀, 列傳, or 載記 form.
- The key events and deeds that define the subject's character (以事見人).
- Modern vocabulary, syntax, and narrative structure that need classical transformation.
Step 3: Apply Historical Narrative Patterns
Apply the checklist below. Each item marked [Hard] must be applied; [Soft] items apply when natural.
Checklist: Grammar Patterns (G: 語法句式)
G1. Biographical Opening Formula (傳記起首) [Hard]
Open with the classical identification formula: 「X者,Y人也」, establishing the subject's name, native place, and courtesy name. This is the signature opening of every 列傳.
Before: 張明是一個來自河南的年輕人,他從小就很聰明。
After: 張明者,河南人也。少聰敏,有異才。
Before: 李偉出生在四川成都,他的父親是一位老師。
After: 李偉,蜀郡成都人也。父為郡學師。
Note: do NOT invent courtesy names (字) or other biographical details not present in the original.
G2. Chronological Narration with Temporal Markers (紀事時序) [Hard]
Structure the narrative chronologically using classical temporal markers: 初 (at first), 既而 (subsequently), 及 (when it came to), 後 (later), 是時 (at that time), 久之 (after a long while), 未幾 (before long).
Before: 他一開始很順利,後來遇到了困難,最後終於成功了。
After: 初,事頗順。既而遇阻,久之,竟以功成。
Before: 過了一段時間,他被調到另一個部門。
After: 久之,徙為別部。
G3. Classical Passive with 為…所… (被動句式) [Hard]
Replace modern 被字句 with 為…所… passive construction. This is the standard passive form in Han-Wei prose.
Before: 他被上司陷害了。
After: 為上官所構陷。
Before: 城市被敵軍佔領了。
After: 城為敵所據。
G4. Object Fronting and Verb-Final (賓語前置) [Hard]
In negation, questions, and emphasis, front the object before the verb. This is a hallmark of classical syntax.
Before: 他什麼都不怕。
After: 無所畏也。
Before: 沒有人能阻擋他。
After: 莫之能禦。
G5. Concise Scene-Setting (簡筆白描) [Hard]
Set scenes with minimal but vivid detail. Han-Wei prose never dwells on extended description — it selects one or two sharp images, then moves on.
Before: 那天晚上下著大雨,天很黑,風也很大,整個城市都籠罩在一片恐怖的氣氛之中。
After: 是夜,大雨,風甚暴。城中皆恐。
Before: 到了冬天,天氣非常寒冷,士兵們穿的衣服很薄,糧食也快吃完了。
After: 時冬月,士卒衣單糧盡。
G6. Historian's Evaluative Comment (論贊體) [Soft]
End with a historian's commentary in the style of 太史公曰 or 贊曰. This provides explicit moral judgment on the subject's life and deeds.
Before: 總的來說,他是一個很有才華但結局悲慘的人。
After: 贊曰:明才兼文武,志略超群,然不能容物,終以取禍。惜哉。
Before: 回顧他的一生,他對國家的貢獻是不可忽視的。
After: 論曰:偉之功於國,不可謂不偉。然觀其行事,亦時有可議者焉。
Checklist: Vocabulary Patterns (V: 詞彙用字)
V1. Precise Action Verbs (精確動詞) [Hard]
Replace vague modern verbs with the precise action verbs of historical prose. Each verb carries specific social and political meaning:
- 去/到 → 趨 (hurry to), 詣 (visit a superior), 之 (go to)
- 派 → 遣 (dispatch)
- 給予職位 → 拜 (appoint), 除 (assign), 擢 (promote), 遷 (transfer)
- 拜訪 → 謁 (formally call on)
- 打敗 → 破 (defeat in battle), 克 (take a city)
- 殺 → 殺 (neutral), 誅 (execute for justice), 弒 (murder a superior)
- 死 → 卒 (die, of officials), 薨 (die, of lords), 崩 (die, of emperors)
Before: 他去見了將軍,將軍派他帶兵去攻打敵人。
After: 詣將軍,將軍遣將兵擊之。
Before: 他被升職了,調到了首都工作。
After: 擢拜郎中,徙為京職。
V2. Classical Pronouns and Titles (稱謂代詞) [Hard]
Use appropriate pronouns and title conventions:
- 我 → 臣 (to ruler), 吾/余 (general)
- 你 → 公 (respectful), 君 (peer), 卿 (ruler to minister)
- 他 → 其 (possessive/subject), 之 (object)
- Refer to subjects by surname after first introduction
- Use 字 (courtesy name) in dialogue for peers
Before: 皇帝對他說:「你做得很好。」
After: 帝謂之曰:「卿之功,朕甚嘉之。」
Before: 他跟朋友說:「我覺得這樣做不對。」
After: 謂其友曰:「吾以為此非善策也。」
V3. Implicit Moral Judgment Through Word Choice (春秋筆法) [Hard]
Choose words that carry embedded moral evaluation, following the 春秋 tradition of praise-blame through diction. The same event can be described with entirely different moral weight:
- 殺 (neutral kill) vs 誅 (righteous execution) vs 弒 (treasonous murder)
- 言 (speak, neutral) vs 諫 (remonstrate, loyal) vs 譖 (slander)
- 奔 (flee in defeat) vs 歸 (return in honor)
- 進 (advance, positive) vs 侵 (encroach, negative)
Use 春秋筆法 only when the original text already carries praise-blame intent. Do NOT impose moral judgment where the original is neutral.
Before: 大臣被國王殺了。
After (if unjust): 王殺其大臣。
After (if treasonous): 大臣弒其君,國人誅之。
Before: 他離開了那個國家。
After (if honorable): 遂歸。
After (if in disgrace): 出奔。
V4. Classical Function Words (虛詞替換) [Hard]
Core substitutions for narrative prose:
- 的 → 之
- 在 → 於
- 和 → 與
- 就/便 → 遂/乃
- 於是 → 乃/遂
- 因此 → 由是/以故
- 所以…是因為 → 所以…者,以…也
- 又 → 復/亦
Before: 因為這件事,他的名聲在當地變得很大。
After: 由是名聞於郡中。
V5. Classical Negation (否定詞) [Hard]
- 不 → 不/弗
- 沒有 → 未/無
- 不要 → 毋/勿
- 不能 → 莫能/不克
- 不是 → 非
Before: 他不同意這個做法,也不願意參與。
After: 不從,亦弗肯與焉。
V6. Classical Particles (語氣詞替換) [Hard]
Replace modern particles with classical sentence-final forms:
- 了 → 矣
- 嗎 → 乎
- 啊 → 哉
- 吧 → 也/焉
- 呢 → 邪/耶
Statement: …也 / …矣 / …焉
Question: …乎 / …哉 / …邪
Exclamation: …哉 / …矣夫
Before: 這件事真的太不公平了吧!
After: 此豈公乎哉!
Checklist: Style Patterns (S: 風格修辭)
S1. Show Character Through Action (以事見人) [Hard]
The defining principle of 史傳體. Do NOT tell the reader someone is brave, wise, or cruel — SHOW it through a specific deed. Select incidents that crystallize character.
Before: 他是一個非常勇敢的人,不管遇到什麼困難都不退縮。
After: 嘗從征,陷陣中流矢,拔鏃復戰,左右皆壯之。
Before: 他非常聰明,很小的時候就展現出超群的才能。
After: 年十二,見郡守論事,應對如流。守大驚,以為非常兒也。
S2. Dialogue as Characterization (以言見性) [Hard]
Use direct speech (「X曰:」) to reveal character, not just to convey information. The best 史記 dialogues are miniature dramas. Keep dialogue terse and forceful.
Before: 他非常生氣地告訴部下,如果不拼命戰鬥,大家都會死。
After: 怒謂諸將曰:「今日之事,有進死而已。退者,斬!」
Before: 他的妻子勸他放棄,但他說他絕不放棄。
After: 妻諫止之。明曰:「丈夫處世,當建功立業,奈何效兒女子態邪?」
S3. Narrative Economy (敘事簡潔) [Hard]
Han-Wei prose achieves power through compression. An entire military campaign can be told in one sentence. Eliminate all redundancy, narrate only turning points.
Before: 他帶著軍隊出發了,在路上走了很長時間,經歷了很多困難,最後終於到達了目的地,然後發動了攻擊,經過激烈的戰鬥,最終取得了勝利。
After: 率師出征,行軍月餘,遂至,一戰破之。
Before: 他在那個職位上做了三年,期間做了很多好事,老百姓都很感激他。
After: 居官三年,甚有政聲。民為立碑。
S4. Date and Time in Classical Format (古典紀時) [Soft]
Use classical date/time conventions:
- 某年某月 → X年Y月 (reign year)
- 春天 → 春 / 是歲春
- 那天晚上 → 是夜
- 早上 → 旦 / 晨 / 平明
- 中午 → 日中
- 傍晚 → 薄暮 / 日昃
Before: 在建安五年的秋天,曹操帶著軍隊出發。
After: 建安五年秋,操率師以出。
S5. Indirect Commentary Through Juxtaposition (對比映襯) [Soft]
Rather than stating a moral lesson, place contrasting events or characters side by side and let the reader draw the conclusion. This is 司馬遷's signature technique.
Before: 他本來很有權勢,但是最後卻落得很悲慘的下場,這說明權力是靠不住的。
After: 方其盛也,一呼百諾,賓客盈門;及其敗,親故莫有顧者。
Checklist: Register Markers (R: 時代標記)
R1. Eliminate 把/被 Constructions [Hard]
把字句 and 被字句 are post-Tang vernacular developments. Replace:
- 被 → use 為…所… or restructure as active voice
- 把 → restructure with 以 or direct verb-object
Before: 他把敵人的使者送走了。
After: 遣敵使還。
Before: 他的計策被人識破了。
After: 其謀為人所覺。
R2. Honorific and Humble Forms for Social Hierarchy (尊卑稱謂) [Hard]
Strictly observe social hierarchy in language:
- Emperor: 上、帝、天子; dies = 崩; decrees = 詔、敕
- Lords/Princes: 王、侯; die = 薨
- Officials: 公、卿; die = 卒
- Commoners: die = 死
- Self-deprecation to superiors: 臣、愚臣、末將
Before: 國王死了以後,他的兒子繼位。
After: 王薨,子立。
Before: 他向皇帝報告了這件事。
After: 上疏言狀。帝覽之。
R3. Eliminate Modern Connective Padding (去現代連詞) [Hard]
Delete or compress「雖然…但是…」「不但…而且…」「因為…所以…」into classical connective flow. Han-Wei prose relies on sequential narration and semantic adjacency, not explicit logical connectors.
Before: 雖然他非常有才華,但是因為性格太過剛直,所以得罪了很多人。
After: 有才略,然性剛直,多忤於人。
Before: 不但百姓支持他,而且軍隊也願意聽他的命令。
After: 百姓歸心,將士用命。
Step 4: Rewrite
Apply all checklist items to produce a complete rewrite. Follow these principles:
Rewriting Principles
- 以事見人 — Show character through deeds, not adjectives. Let actions speak.
- 敘事簡潔 — Every word must earn its place. An entire life can fit in a few hundred characters.
- 寓褒貶於敘事 — Embed moral judgment in word choice and event selection, not explicit commentary.
- 以言見性 — Use dialogue to reveal personality. The best lines are the ones only that character would say.
- 詳略得當 — Dwell on pivotal moments, compress routine years. Not all events deserve equal space.
- 善用對比 — Juxtapose rise and fall, virtue and vice. Let contrast do the moral work.
Step 5: Authenticity Audit
Pass 1 — Pattern Re-scan
Re-read the rewritten text against the checklist above. Check for:
- Surviving modern vocabulary (especially 把/被 and modern connectives)
- Inconsistent register (mixing 史傳體 and modern Chinese within a sentence)
- Missing biographical formula or temporal markers
- Vague verbs where precise ones exist (e.g., 去 instead of 趨/詣/之)
Pass 2 — Gut Check
Read the whole piece aloud (mentally). Ask:
- Does it flow like 史記 or 漢書, or does it feel stilted?
- Are characters revealed through their actions and words, or merely described?
- Is the hierarchy of death/title terms consistent throughout?
- Does the rhythm feel like connected narrative, not a list of facts?
Fix any remaining issues.
Step 6: Output
- Save to new file with
_hanwei suffix (e.g., article.md → article_hanwei.md). If user explicitly requests in-place edit, overwrite.
- Show 3-5 most representative before/after pairs.
- State which patterns were most heavily applied.
Important Notes
- This skill is a style transformation tool, not a content generator. Preserve the original meaning and events.
- Do NOT add historical events, deeds, or dialogue not present or implied in the original.
- Classical Chinese is naturally more compressed — the output will be shorter than the input. This is expected, not a loss.
- This is stylistic approximation, not philologically rigorous reconstruction. The goal is to evoke the feel of 史記 and 漢書, not to produce a text that would fool a specialist.
- When the source contains modern technical terms with no classical equivalent (e.g., 半導體, 演算法), keep the term and transform the surrounding prose.
- 史傳體 is narrative prose about people and events. It is NOT argumentative (古文) or philosophical (先秦). If the source text is an opinion essay with no biographical subject, suggest
wenyan-guwen instead.
- The 春秋筆法 (praise-blame through diction) should be used judiciously. Do not force moral judgment where the original text is neutral.
- Pair with
wenyan-guwen (Tang-Song argumentative essay), wenyan-xianqin (pre-Qin philosophical), or wenyan-huaben (vernacular fiction) for other classical styles.