February River Collection (13 volumes)

Author: Erhuhe
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-09-01
Features: This collection consists of 13 volumes, all hardcover, with an exquisite packaging box! Erhuhe Collection – Kangxi the Great Emperor (Complete 4 Volumes) Catalogue:
Capturing the Imperial Court, A World of Splendor,
Rumors Stirring in the Palace,
Stormy Winds and Hidden Raindrops
Erhuhe Collection – Emperor Qianlong (Complete 6 Volumes) Catalogue:
Emerging Brilliance,
Empty Dew on the Mountain,
Sunset Over the Long River,
Difficulties on the Imperial Path,
Dark Clouds Over the Imperial Palace,
Autumn Sounds in Zi Yuan
Erhuhe Collection – Emperor Yongzheng (Complete 3 Volumes) Catalogue:
The Nine Princes’ Struggle for Power,
Carved Bow and Silver Wolf,
The River Flows Eastward
Author Introduction: Erhuhe: Originally named Ling Jiefang. A renowned contemporary historical fiction writer. Currently a member of the China Writers' Association and Vice President of the Henan Writers' Association. Born in Xianyang County, Shanxi Province in 1945, he has been passionate about reading since his youth. He has extensively studied the classics, including the works of the Hundred Schools of Thought, historical and literary texts, with particular expertise in the history of the Qing Dynasty and Red Studies. In recent years, he has devoted himself to writing the "Emperor Series" – Kangxi the Great Emperor, Emperor Yongzheng, and Emperor Qianlong, totaling five million words. With his profound historical and social insights, vivid and distinct character portrayals, and grand, dynamic narrative style, his works have gained immense popularity among readers both in China and abroad. The first two volumes have been adapted into television dramas. Kangxi the Great Emperor was awarded the "First Henan Provincial Outstanding Literary Achievement Award," while Emperor Yongzheng was nominated for the Fourth "Mao Dun Literature Prize" (Historical Fiction Category) and included in the "Top 100 Excellent Literary Works Popular in Asia in the 20th Century" list.
Kangxi the Great Emperor: At the age of eight, Kangxi ascended the throne as per the will of Shunzhi. He was supported by four ministers: Songshi, Suksaha, Ebilun, and Ebai. Among them, Ebai was arrogant and tyrannical. After the death of the elderly minister Songshi, he allied with Ebilun and executed Suksaha, who opposed him, consolidating his control over the court. He frequently raged in the imperial hall, forcing Kangxi to comply with his wishes. At the age of 14, Kangxi took power in person, but Ebai not only refused to return power to the emperor but also formed factions, plotted to usurp the throne, and eliminate his rivals. Kangxi, intelligent and mature from a young age, secretly studied the governance of past emperors under the guidance of the failed scholar Wu Ciyou while also training a group of young strengthens as personal guards to eliminate the greatest threats to his reign.
Emperor Yongzheng: The struggle among the brothers, the hidden danger of assassination, the throne changing hands – Emperor Yongzheng narrowly won. The rumors of a rewritten edict, a father’s murder, and succession disputes filled the air, shrouded in mystery. With a historian’s pen and a writer’s heart, the author captures the high courts and distant streets alike. From the highest rituals and palace architecture to the lowest taverns and temples, the book weaves a rich tapestry of culture and intrigue. The fierce power struggles among the brothers are depicted with cunning and strategy, while the tales of courtesans and singers resonate with emotion. The plot is intricate, the characters well-crafted, and the structure masterfully designed. With thought as the thread and art as the weft, the author gazes upon history and explores the human condition, a feat only a true master can achieve. As one critic noted after reading: "A rare gem in historical fiction."
Carved Bow and Silver Wolf: The Nine Princes’ Struggle, with Emperor Yongzheng narrowly winning. The Forbidden City saw new faces replace old ones, but the winds of change did not stop. The Eight Princes’ faction, though seemingly defeated, still harbored ambitions. The proud general Nian Gengyao, with his army, sought to interfere in politics. Even the trusted minister Long Keduo played both sides, sending troops into the palace. The situation was fraught with danger, as the emperor tested the mettle of his successors. Relying on trusted ministers like Fang Bao, Emperor Yongzheng reformed the bureaucracy, promoted capable officials like Tian Wenjing and Liu Molin, and personally inspected flood defenses, showing concern for the people. Leveraging the victory in Qinghai, he swiftly crushed the plots of the Eight Princes and the Fourteenth Prince, imprisoned Long Keduo, and executed Nian Gengyao. This book, a companion to Emperor Yongzheng – The Nine Princes’ Struggle, not only retains the artistic brilliance of the first volume but also presents a more balanced and detailed narrative. The author excels in portraying the intricacies of imperial politics and the subtle dynamics of palace intrigue, offering readers both historical insight and aesthetic pleasure.
With Nian Gengyao’s execution and Long Keduo’s imprisonment, the remnants of the Eight Princes’ faction still posed a threat. Secret meetings in the mansions plotted to force Emperor Yongzheng to abdicate, while in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, fierce debates and storms of intrigue erupted. On one side, the emperor’s unyielding authority punished his brothers; on the other, his heart ached for his sister-in-law, who bore a striking resemblance to his deceased lover. Was it divine retribution or mere coincidence that she served the throne as his concubine? The torment of incest, the corrosion of elixirs, and the haunting of spirits—just as he had once rallied to lead the empire, he now vanished into the mists of legend. The mystery of the (Ding Dan Zhu Ying) remains unsolved, leaving readers pondering the enigma of history.
This final volume of Erhuhe’s Emperor Yongzheng series is a masterpiece of historical fiction. Deeply rooted in traditional culture, the author is not only familiar with all walks of life but also deeply versed in the history of the Qing court and the emperor’s life. Drawing on his lifelong study of the Dream of the Red Chamber, he seamlessly blends traditional narrative techniques with modern consciousness, creating a grand historical tapestry. The book not only depicts the complex political struggles in the Forbidden City but also showcases the fierce rivalries among officials, the fates of scholars, and the trials of ordinary people. From palace secrets to street life, from imperial exams to taverns, the author brings every aspect to life. Reading this work is like taking an artistic tour of the historical transition from the Yongzheng to the Qianlong era.
Emperor Qianlong: Emperor Yongzheng’s tragic death at the age of 25 led to the ascension of the 25-year-old Qianlong, who aspired to be an emperor beyond compare, creating a golden age for the Qing Dynasty. He adhered to the policy of "governing with leniency," abolishing harsh regulations of the past, promoting capable officials, and punishing corrupt ones. He worked diligently, reduced taxes, allowed the people to rest and prosper, and often visited in disguise to understand the common folk. He sent capable officials to alleviate disasters and suppress unrest. He led campaigns to suppress rebellions in the Daxin and Xikang regions, in Xinjiang, and in Taiwan. He ordered Ji Tao to compile the Siku Quanshu, uniting the scholars of the empire. The Qianlong era gradually flourished into a prosperous and prosperous age. However, alongside this prosperity, conflicts over land and wealth intensified, corruption and debauchery in the court reached new heights, border threats persisted, and the empire faced increasing crises. As the empire grew, it became hollow at the core. In his later years, Qianlong’s fondness for grandeur and his misrule, coupled with his reliance on sycophants like Heshen and the dismissal of virtuous officials, led to a gradual decline in the empire’s strength.
Erhuhe’s Emperor Qianlong portrays the vast social landscape of the Qianlong era. From the highest courts to the farthest provinces, from palaces and private residences to streets, villages, battlefields, and brothels, the book captures the historical changes in politics, economy, military, and culture. It is a veritable encyclopedia of the mid-Qing Dynasty, rich in cultural significance. The author masterfully portrays the intricate political machinations, the strategic maneuvers on the battlefield, the diverse lives of scholars, and the harsh realities of the world, all with profound artistic depth and. This is Erhuhe’s most mature and powerful long work to date.