Qing Dynasty Character Stories (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Xu Yiqiang (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Suitable for foreign students, upper elementary school students, middle school students, and general readers interested in history. The language is standardized, stories are vivid, annotations and phonetic transcriptions are accurate and concise, with bilingual glosses for new words and annotations. It facilitates synchronized learning of language and culture.
China has a long history with many dynasties. The last dynasty was the Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty's history, if calculated from 1644 when the Qing army entered the Shanhai Pass and transitioned from a regional regime to a national one, lasted 267 years. If calculated from when Emperor Shunzhi changed the state's name to "Da Qing," it lasted 276 years. If calculated from when Nurhaci established the "Da Jin" regime in Hetu Ala City east of Shenyang, it lasted 295 years.
Less than three hundred years of Qing history can be broadly divided into two phases: before the First Opium War in 1840 (the early period) and after 1840 (the later period). The early Qing period can be further divided into three stages: the founding stage (Nurhaci, Hong Taiji, and Shunzhi), the prosperous stage (Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong), and the decline stage (Jiaqing and Daoguang). The later Qing period can also be divided into three stages: the collapse of the "Celestial Empire" dream (Xianfeng), the stage of confrontation and collusion between the conservative faction in the Qing government and Western powers, and the stage when China became completely a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society (Tongzhi and Guangxu). As for the last emperor, Puyi, he was three years old when he was forced onto the throne and six years old when he was deposed, becoming a clueless ruler of a fallen nation.
It should be noted that from Shunzhi to Puyi, they used era names instead of their personal names. The table below lists their names and reign durations:
| Name | Era Name | Reign Period | Reign Duration (Years) |
|------------|------------|---------------|------------------------|
| Nurhaci | Tianming | 1616–1626 | 11 |
| Hong Taiji | Tianzong, Chongde | 1627–1643 | 17 |
| Fulin | Shunzhi | 1644–1661 | 18 |
| Xuanye | Kangxi | 1662–1722 | 61 |
| Yinzhen | Yongzheng | 1723–1735 | 13 |
| Hongli | Qianlong | 1736–1795 | 60 |
| Yongyan | Jiaqing | 1796–1820 | 25 |
| Minning | Daoguang | 1821–1850 | 30 |
| Yizhu | Xianfeng | 1851–1861 | 11 |
| Zaitian | Tongzhi | 1862–1874 | 13 |
| Zaitian | Guangxu | 1875–1908 | 34 |
| Puyi | Xuantong | 1909–1912 | 3 |
Among these, this book includes Nurhaci, Hong Taiji, Shunzhi, Kangxi, Qianlong, and Puyi. The first three played an undeniable role in the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, while Kangxi and Qianlong led the Qing into its most prosperous period (with Yongzheng acting as a transitional figure, bridging the gap). This era is known as the "Kangxi-Qianlong Prosperity."
Especially during Qianlong's reign, the country flourished like never before, making it one of the most powerful nations in the world at the time. However, this peak of prosperity also marked the beginning of China's decline. Qianlong lived to be 89 and ruled for 60 years. He loved spending money and showing off, nearly exhausting the wealth accumulated by his ancestors. During his reign, China also produced the most corrupt official in its history—Heshen. His corruption was so shocking that officials like Ji Xiaolan and Liu Yong (Liu Luoguo) fought against him, but with the emperor's protection, Heshen remained unscathed until the new emperor took the throne and executed him.
Just as there were corrupt officials, there were also honest ones. Yu Chenglong, known as one of the "honest officials" of the Qing Dynasty during Kangxi's reign, is a prime example. However, such virtuous officials were far too rare, or else the history of the Qing Dynasty might have been rewritten. After Qianlong, things only worsened. Jiaqing was occupied by the White Lotus Rebellion in various regions; Daoguang faced the Second Opium War; Xianfeng ruled for only 11 years and was nearly overthrown by Hong Xiuquan's Taiping Rebellion. He was also forced to flee to Chengde's Summer Palace when the Anglo-French attacked Beijing. The subsequent Tongzhi and Guangxu emperors were even more unlucky, lacking real power.
In reality, after Xianfeng's death, China's history was largely controlled by a woman named Yehe Nara—better known as Empress Dowager Cixi. Cixi knew how to govern, using her skills to suppress the Taiping Rebellion. However, she was too stubborn, conservative, and lacking in international awareness, making it impossible for her to handle foreign challenges. She suffered repeated defeats, even leading to the bizarre outcome of the Sino-French War, where China "won but lost" despite General Feng Zicai's victory. China still signed an unequal treaty with France. Such events are rare in world history.
Later, Emperor Guangxu attempted to rule independently, seeking reformers like Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and Tan Sitong. However, their efforts ultimately failed due to Cixi's opposition. Of the hundreds of proposed reforms, only one was implemented—the establishment of the Capital University, the predecessor of today's Peking University. At least it wasn't entirely in vain.
Over the 200 years of the Qing Dynasty, numerous scholars, thinkers, writers, and artists emerged. Among them were Jin Shengtan, a literary genius of the late Ming and early Qing periods; Gu Yanwu, who proposed the idea that "every man has a responsibility in the rise and fall of his nation"; Lin Zexu, a modern Chinese "person who opened his eyes to the world" and a hero of the anti-opium campaign; Gong Zizhen, a poet who called for "the heavens to shake and drop talents of all kinds"; Yan Fu, a translator who profoundly influenced Chinese thought; Huang Zunxian, a poet and diplomat; Yoong Wing, a Chinese student in the United States; and Zhang Taiyan, a thinker and revolutionary.
Of course, we must not forget Cao Xueqin, who wrote the monumental novel Dream of the Red Chamber; Wu Jingzi, Pu Songling, Kong Shangren, Yuan Mei, Li Boyuan, and the artist Zhu Da (also known as "Eight Great Mountains"). Zheng Banqiao and Huang Sheng, representatives of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou"; Zhang Mingshan, the master of "Nian Ren Zhang"; and Wang Xiaoyong, an artist.
The Qing Dynasty also produced scientists. This book includes Feng Ru, an aircraft manufacturer; Zhao Tianyou, a railway engineer; and Mei Wending, a mathematician. All of them demonstrated that the minds of Chinese people were no inferior to those of foreigners.
Equally deserving of praise is the martial arts master Huo Yuanjia, who founded the "Chinese Jingwu Physical Culture Association," a comprehensive folk sports organization, promoting martial arts and spreading them worldwide. Among the many heroes, this book also includes Xiaohongchun, a young hero; Zuo Zongtang, a general who recovered Xinjiang; Deng Shichang, a national hero; Qiu Jin, a female hero; and Sun Yat-sen, the leader who overthrew the Qing Dynasty.
Puyi was chosen for his life full of drama. Additionally, there was Wang Zhehe, the inventor of fermented tofu.