Qing Dynasty Character Stories (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Xu Yiqiang
Publisher:
Publish 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, the stories are vivid, annotations and phonetic transcriptions are accurate and concise, and vocabulary and annotations are provided in both Chinese and English, allowing for 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 transformed from a regional regime into a national regime, lasted 267 years. If calculated from when the Qing changed the state's name to "Da Qing," it lasted a total of 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 roughly divided into two phases: before the 1840 Opium War (second) as the early period, and after 1840 as the later period. The early Qing period can be further divided into three stages: the founding stage (Nurhaci, Hong Taiji, Shunzhi period), the prosperous stage (Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong period), and the stage of decline from prosperity (Jiaqing, Daoguang period). The later Qing period can also be divided into three stages: the collapse of the "Celestial Empire" dream (Xianfeng period), the stage where conservative factions in the Qing government struggled with and colluded with Western powers, and the stage where China became completely a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society (Tongzhi, Guangxu period). As for the last emperor, the Xuantong Emperor, he was three years old when he was lifted onto the throne and six years old when he was deposed, unknowingly becoming a ruler of a fallen nation.
It should be noted that from Shunzhi to Xuantong, 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 |
| Hongliu | Qianlong | 1736-1795 | 60 |
| Yongyan | Jiaqing | 1796-1820 | 25 |
| Minning | Daoguang | 1821-1850 | 30 |
| Yizhu | Xianfeng | 1851-1861 | 11 |
| Zaijun | 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 Xuantong. 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 reigned for 60 years. He loved spending money and seeking attention, nearly exhausting the wealth accumulated by his ancestors. During his reign, China also produced the largest corrupt official in history—He Shen. His corruption was shocking. Although officials like Ji Xiaolan and Liu Yong (Liu Luoguo) fought against He Shen, he remained unharmed due to the emperor's protection until a new emperor took the throne and executed him.
Just as there are corrupt officials, there are 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 good officials were far too rare; otherwise, the history of the Qing Dynasty might have been rewritten. After Qianlong, things only worsened. Jiaqing was entangled in the White Lotus Rebellion across the country; 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 Beijing when the Anglo-French attacked, taking refuge in the Chengde Mountain Resort. The subsequent Tongzhi and Guangxu emperors were even more unlucky, lacking real power.
In reality, after Xianfeng's death, Chinese history was largely controlled by a woman named Yehe Nala, better known as the Empress Dowager Cixi. Cixi knew how to govern, using her skills to suppress the Taiping Rebellion. However, she was too stubborn, conservative, and lacked international awareness, making it impossible for her to face foreign challenges. She suffered repeated defeats, even leading to the bizarre outcome of the Sino-French War where China "won without winning": the veteran Feng Zicai had already won battles, but China still signed an unequal treaty with France. Such events are rare in world history.
Later, Emperor Guangxu attempted to take control and sought reforms with figures like Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and Tan Sitong. However, the Empress Dowager Cixi opposed them, and the reforms ultimately failed. Of the hundreds of proposed measures, only one was implemented—the establishment of the Imperial University of Peking, the predecessor of today's Peking University. Still, it cannot be said to have been "completely useless."
Over the 200 years of the Qing Dynasty, a large number of scholars, thinkers, writers, and artists emerged. Take Jin Shengtan, a literary genius of the late Ming and early Qing periods, Gu Yanwu, who proposed "When the nation rises or falls, every man has a responsibility," Lin Zexu, a hero of the modern Chinese movement to "open one's eyes to the world," Gong Zizhen, a poet who cried out "I urge the heavens to shake and drop talent without discrimination," Yan Fu, a translator who greatly influenced Chinese thought, Huang Zunxian, a poet and diplomat, and Rong Hong, the first Chinese student to study abroad. Zhang Taiyan, a thinker and revolutionary, is also worth mentioning. Of course, we must not forget Cao Xueqin, who wrote the monumental novel Dream of the Red Chamber, as well as literary figures like Wu Jingzi, Pu Songling, and playwright Kong Shangren. Poets like Yuan Mei, novelists like Li Boyuan, and artists like Wang Xiaoyong are also included.
The Qing Dynasty also produced a number of scientists. This book features Feng Ru, an aircraft designer; Zhan 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 admirable are martial arts masters like Huo Yuanjia, who founded the "Chinese Jingwu Physical Culture Association," a comprehensive folk sports organization, promoting martial arts and taking them to the world. Among the many heroes, this book also includes Xiaohongchun, a young hero; Zuo Zongtang, a veteran who recovered Xinjiang; Deng Shichang, a national hero; Qiu Jin, a female hero; and Sun Yat-sen, the leader who overthrew the Qing Dynasty.
Pu Yi was chosen for his life filled with drama. Additionally, there is Wang Zhihe, the inventor of fermented tofu.