Shangshu, also known as Shu and Shu Jing, is a multi-genre literature compilation, which has long been regarded as the earliest existing history book in China. However, Tsinghua bamboo slips prove that Shangshu handed down from generation to generation is a fake book. This book is divided into Yu Shu, Xia Shu, Shangshu and Zhou Shu. In the Warring States period, it was called Shu, and in the Han Dynasty, it was renamed Shangshu, that is, the book of ancient times. Because it is one of the five Confucian classics, it is also called the Book of Songs.

Shangshu was written in the Warring States Period about 3,000 years ago, and it is the earliest compilation of historical documents in ancient China. At first, it was called a book, but in the Han Dynasty, it was called Shangshu, which means "ancient book". After the Han Dynasty, Shangshu became one of the important Confucian classics, so it was also called The Book of Songs. It is difficult to determine the date of writing and editing and the author of this book, but it was finalized before the Han Dynasty. It is said that Confucius once compiled Shangshu, but many people think this statement is unreliable. The history recorded in Shangshu can be traced back to the legendary Yuyao Shun period to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (mid-Spring and Autumn Period), with a history of about 1500 years. Its basic content is the imperial edict of the ancient emperor and conversation record, from which it can be inferred that the author is probably a historian. As the earliest compilation of political historical materials in China, Shangshu recorded many important historical facts of Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou, and truly reflected astronomy, geography, philosophy, education, criminal law and regulations in this historical period, which had an important impact on later generations and was a precious historical material for us to understand ancient society.