Liu Lanfang - Khitan Xiao Empress (3CD)

Author: Beijing Hongda Ethernet Culture Development Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Tengtu Electronic Publishing House
Publishing Date: 1901-01-01
Features: Liu Lanfang, a nationally renowned Pingshu (storytelling) performance artist. She is a first-class actress, enjoys government subsidies, and serves as the Vice Chairman of the China Quyi Association and the Vice Chairman of the China Literature and Art Federation. She is also a visiting professor at Southeast University. In her prime, a single work, "The Legend of Yue Fei," captivated the nation and resonated overseas, earning recognition as one of the "Top Ten Events in China's Entertainment Industry in the 20th Century" and the "Four Pioneers Who Sparked the Pingshu Fever." Later, she narrated and published numerous traditional and modern-themed Pingshu works, including "The Legend of the Yang Family," "The Three Attacks on Wulong Town," "The Romance of Zhao Kuangyin," "The Bloody Grotto," and "The Strange Fate of Father and Son." Her outstanding artistic achievements have been included in over 20 dictionaries such as "The Dictionary of Chinese Opera and Quyi," "The Annual of Chinese Characters," "The Record of Outstanding Chinese Talents," "The Record of Chinese and Foreign Artists," and "The Dictionary of Chinese Experts."
This set of Pingshu tells the story of Xiao Chao (Yanyan), the wife of Emperor Jingzong of Liao and the mother of Emperor Shengzong, who is historically known as the Empress Dowager. She assisted the frail Emperor Jingzong, making decisive decisions on military and state affairs for fourteen years, and later supervised the young Emperor Shengzong, ruling as regent for twenty-seven years. Her effective governance of the Liao Dynasty spanned four decades, making her comparable to Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty. She advocated for reforms and leaned toward the Han culture of the north, leading the Liao Dynasty to its zenith under her rule. She was a female statesman and military strategist of great talent and vision in the Liao Dynasty, as well as an extraordinary female figure in Chinese history.
Based on a high degree of historical authenticity, this book incorporates reasonable artistic fiction to vividly recreate the tumultuous life of this Khitan empress. Liu Lanfang employs Pingshu techniques to adapt and revise the work, highlighting the characteristics of oral literature, focusing on character portrayal, and adding a touch of romance to enrich the story with dramatic twists and turns. The language is lively and engaging, leaving readers with deep reflections. The story unfolds in a captivating sequence, drawing the audience in and satisfying their cultural and entertainment needs while allowing them to contemplate the profound truths of life. It is truly a rare gem of a book.