Evening bell, morning drum

Author: Ling Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: The novel is grand in scale, with a thrilling plot, and vividly portrays the court life and social customs of the early years of Emperor Kangxi. The Drum in the Afternoon, the Bell in the Morning—Young Kangxi is the third book in the "Centennial Splendor" series by renowned author Ling Li, who won the Third Mao Dun Literature Prize. The novel features young Kangxi as its protagonist. At the age of seven, Kangxi ascended the throne, but the Four Grand Secretaries held power, using the pretext of restoring ancient traditions to almost completely reverse the reforms of Emperor Shunzhi. Especially, the Grand Secretary Ao Ba, who plotted factionalism, acted arrogantly, killed his opponents, and coveted the throne, caused political chaos and widespread public discontent. Kangxi studied history diligently, worked hard to govern, and gradually grew dissatisfied with the Grand Secretaries' retrogressive actions and his puppet status. Under the guidance and assistance of his grandmother, the Grand Empress Dowager, Kangxi employed various methods to engage in a complex and sharp struggle with Ao Ba. In his third year of personal rule, at the age of merely sixteen or seventeen, Ao Ba's plot to assassinate the emperor was exposed, and Kangxi captured him, completely regaining imperial power. The novel follows major historical events such as the dispute over land redistribution between the Zhenghuang and Zhengbai banners, the conflict between the traditional Chinese almanac and the Western calendar, and the Ming History Case, highlighting the struggle between the imperial family and the Grand Secretaries. The shrewdness and composure of the Grand Empress Dowager, the wisdom and courage of young Kangxi as an emperor, the intrigue among the Grand Secretaries, and Ao Ba's tyrannical and arrogant behavior are all fully depicted through these major events. The author's creative approach is more about touching upon history through human nature, remaining loyal to historical facts while surpassing them. In the vivid portrayal of historical events, the trials of human nature are revealed: in the face of political and power struggles, the beautiful aspects of human nature are gradually stripped away, severed, and abandoned. Young Kangxi's throne is repeatedly threatened, and to secure it, he must eliminate many people, including the innocent. Every case results in deaths, and each time, Kangxi must endure immense suffering, betraying the beautiful side of his human nature—friendship, love, and kindness—in the process. Kangxi must, as his grandmother demands, become a good emperor, and with every step he takes toward supreme imperial power, the pain tearing his heart apart deepens. The novel is grand in scale, with a thrilling plot, and vividly portrays the court life and social customs of the early years of Emperor Kangxi. It portrays numerous complex and distinctive characters, making it highly readable and possessing great literary value. It is an outstanding historical novel that is well worth reading.