Lao Tzu, an older contemporary of Confucius is believed to have written the Lao tzu. The Shih chi (Records of the Historian) the earliest general history of China was written at the beginning of the first century B.C. by Ssu-ma Ch'ien. Included in this historical account is the biography of Lao Tzu. He was a native of the Ch'u Jen Hamlet in the Li Village of Hu Hsien in the state of Ch'u. His surname was Li, his personal name was Erh and was "styled Tan". Maybe your new friend( friends) or a scholar at the university can explain "styled Tan". The T'ang dynasty lasted from (618-906) AD. If this makes him "styled Tan" let me know but no conjectures, a correct answer or no answer. You have lots of time. An added aside, I believe that both Lao Tzu and Confucius go back to the Chou dynasty, a period when religion was highly developed so there were many other philosophers, great thinkers. Confucius (551-479 B.C.) sought to save society by a return to the way of the ancients. This he believed to involve an emphasis upon ethics- especially upon moral education- and upon ceremony. By the leadership and example of the educated, by the careful regulation of society and by the ceremonies which had come down from the past, he would bring in a golden age. The two schools, that of Confucius and Lao Tzu engaged in frequent controversy. Lao tzu was the Historian in charge of the archives in Chou.
As I continue with D.C Lau's introduction, perhaps with a bit of change here and there, please allow me to note that this is a minute part of the introduction.
My intent is not to regress as I have done in the first paragraph.. Lao Tzu is believed to have lived to over 160 years of age- some even say over 200- as he cultivated the way and was able to live to a great age. The text of the Laotzu is divided into 2 books and I chose the two pieces being sent to you from Book1. The division can be traced to the 1st century A.D. and by the end of the 2nd century A.D., the work was also known as the Tao te Ching. Book1 was known as the Tao ching and Book 11, the Te Ching.
The Lao tzu has greatly influenced Chinese thought through the ages and have often been referred to as "the book of five thousand characters". In most versions, it is slightly longer and is widely read in China as the classic in the thought of Taoism.
