Tàibái yīn jīng 太白陰經

The Hidden Classic of Venus (Great-White) by 李筌 (Lǐ Quán, fl. 759, 唐)

About the work

An 8-juan Mid-Táng classical military-administrative treatise by Lǐ Quán, taking its title from the planet Venus (Tàibái — the Western military star). The work covers a wide range of military and administrative topics: from foundational Lǐxué-grounded military philosophy through specific tactical, logistical, and astrological-divination materials. Composition: shortly after the An-Lù-shān rebellion’s suppression (763); the catalog meta gives fl. 759. The frontmatter brackets to ca. 759–770.

Abstract

The Tàibái yīn jīng is one of the principal Mid-Táng military treatises and reflects the post-An-Lù-shān period’s intensified concern with military reform and administrative reconstitution. The bibliographic record: Xīn Táng shū yìwén zhì; SKQS Zǐbù — Bīngjiā lèi.