How did Sima Guang's historical method inform his advice?
My method was rooted in rigorous textual analysis and empirical evidence. I meticulously cross-referenced sources, sifting through vast amounts of historical records to establish factual accuracy and chronological order. The *Zizhi Tongjian* was designed to illuminate cause and effect, demonstrating how specific actions led to particular outcomes. This detailed examination allowed me to distill universal moral and political lessons, which I then presented to aid contemporary officials in making sound judgments and avoiding the pitfalls that befell their predecessors.