The Collapse of the Celestial Empire (A Re-examination of the Opium War)

Author: Mao Haijian
Publisher:
Publishing Date: July 1, 2005
Features: Generally speaking, the significance of historical events diminishes over time. The Opium War is different. It marks a turning point in Chinese history and sets the historical mission of China's modernization. As long as China's modernization is not complete, the significance of the Opium War will not fade. People living in this yet-to-be-modernized region can't help but associate with that catastrophic war in their daily lives and reflections. Feelings of humiliation, hatred, inferiority, and hope intertwine, giving rise to a sense of national sentiment. This is vastly different from countries that have already accomplished the same mission, such as Japan. It remains a topic that does not allow the Chinese to feel at ease... Unlike many others who are fortunate enough to exhale after enduring hardships to complete a work, I did not. Since early 1992, I shut out everything and devoted two full years to the bitter and sour experiences of writing a book (without any sweetness). When it was finally completed, staring at the thick stack of manuscripts on my desk, I felt no sense of relief at all.
I. Generally speaking, the significance of historical events diminishes over time. The Opium War is different. It marks a turning point in Chinese history and sets the historical mission of China's modernization. As long as China's modernization is not complete, the significance of the Opium War will not fade. People living in this yet-to-be-modernized region can't help but associate with that catastrophic war in their daily lives and reflections. Feelings of humiliation, hatred, inferiority, and hope intertwine, giving rise to a sense of national sentiment. This is vastly different from countries that have already accomplished the same mission, such as Japan. It remains a topic that does not allow the Chinese to feel at ease. However, historical research rejects emotional interference and emphasizes calmness and objectivity. Therefore, I often ask myself whether I have truly maintained rationality.
II. This book is titled "A Reexamination of the Opium War," naturally implying a critique of previous research. In terms of the research process, it belongs to climbing on the shoulders of predecessors; in terms of the results, it should bring us closer to historical truth. Yet, with the passage of time, people and events from a century and a half ago are separated from the present by layers of historical barriers. The place where I live is called "Imperial City Root," just a stone's throw away from the Forbidden City. From my western window, I can see the Wan Chun Pavilion on Jingshan Mountain, faintly glowing under the setting sun. While reviewing archives at the Chinese Historical Archives within the Forbidden City, I often strolled around the palace grounds during the midday closure, sitting on the white marble steps in front of the "Golden Hall" and lost in thought. I have also visited the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, gazing at the Chinese-style gardens, whose traces have long vanished, though they can still be faintly discerned in aerial photographs. The proximity in space often makes me feel as though the gap in time has narrowed. I tried to converse with the past, though I could not achieve true spiritual connection, I gained a deeper understanding of their minds. Despite modern historical theory proving the impossibility of fully reconstructing the past, the pursuit of truth remains an eternal dream for historians.
III. This book is dedicated to my mentor, Professor Chen Xulu. Fourteen years ago, I became his graduate student. The thesis he supervised was titled "British and Chinese Military Forces During the Opium War." Since then, my interest in the Opium War has never waned. After graduation, we maintained close ties. He always encouraged me to write this book, and I secretly hoped he would write the preface. However, due to work commitments, I never had the time to start. In 1989, I transferred to the Institute of Modern History, finally gaining the time to write, but my mentor had passed away in 1988. As a result, although I actually began writing only two years ago, the collection of materials and reflection on the issues had already spanned over a decade. He laid the foundation for me, yet I was unable to ask for his preface. Today, as I write the preface myself, I constantly wonder if this book will meet his expectations and long for his critique. But the distance between heaven and earth is so vast. These three matters still weigh heavily on my heart, even though I have finished writing this book. I await the criticism of the readers. My classmate and close friend Pan Zhenping has deep insights into the Opium War. Over the past decade, we have engaged in numerous discussions, often staying up all night, which has benefited me greatly. When I first started working on this book, he proposed two key points: to focus on the fates of individuals and to explain historical phenomena. As a traditional Chinese historical writing style, the biographical method has many strengths. How to incorporate these strengths into a chapter-based structure was an exploration I undertook. Given the significant changes in values and behavioral norms during modern society, how to explain the thoughts and actions of historical figures using their contemporary perspectives in a reasonable and coherent manner was an effort I dedicated myself to. After completing the manuscript, he was the first to read it and offered numerous critiques. It can be said that without his help, this book would not have taken its current form. Time and friendship are true, and no words are needed to express gratitude. I note it here.
I am grateful to Mr. Li Shaojun of Wuhan University. The paper by the Japanese scholar Sasaki Masayoshi on the Opium War is a must-read, but I am unfamiliar with Eastern languages. Mr. Li Shaojun provided the translation for me.
I am grateful to my colleague, Mr. Li Yongqing. He is one of the compilers of "Archival Materials of the Opium War." Due to limited access to archives and my failure to proofread, he provided me with the manuscript of the materials he had compiled, which was a great help in my time of need.
I am grateful to Mr. Yang Guoqiang, also from my alma mater, who read some parts of the manuscript. His skill in offering suggestions made me suddenly realize my own shortcomings.
I am grateful to Mr. Zhu Jin yuan and Mr. Tang Kemin, also from the same school, whose encouragement and assistance became a major driving force for me to complete this book as I wished.
Undoubtedly, the person I am most grateful to is the group of scholars who had conducted thorough research on the Opium War before me and offered me great inspiration. Due to the extensive references I used, it is impossible to list them all here. I have recorded the benefits I gained from reading their works in the footnotes. Here, I would also like to say, please forgive me for standing on your shoulders.
The above acknowledgments do not mean I am shirking responsibility. All the errors in this book are my own responsibility.