The Collapse of the Celestial Empire: A Re-examination of the Opium Wars

Author: Mao Haijian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Generally speaking, the significance of historical events diminishes over time. The Opium War is an exception. It marks a turning point in Chinese history and sets the historical mission for China to modernize. As long as China's modernization is not complete, the significance of the Opium War will not diminish by a single point. People living in this yet-to-modernize region inevitably connect their reflections on reality and exploration of issues to that catastrophic war. Feelings of humiliation, resentment, inferiority, and hope intertwine, giving rise to national sentiments. This is vastly different from countries that have already accomplished the same mission, such as Japan. It itself is a topic that does not allow the Chinese to feel at ease... Unlike many others who are fortunate enough to exhale in relief after enduring hardships to complete a work, I did not share that luck. Since early 1992, I shut out everything and devoted two full years to the bitter and sweet experiences of writing a book (without any sweetness), and when it was finally completed, looking at the thick stack of manuscripts on my desk, I felt no sense of relief at all.
1. Generally speaking, the significance of historical events diminishes over time. The Opium War is an exception. It marks a turning point in Chinese history and sets the historical mission for China to modernize. As long as China's modernization is not complete, the significance of the Opium War will not diminish by a single point. People living in this yet-to-modernize region inevitably connect their reflections on reality and exploration of issues to that catastrophic war. Feelings of humiliation, resentment, inferiority, and hope intertwine, giving rise to national sentiments. This is vastly different from countries that have already accomplished the same mission, such as Japan. It itself is a topic that does not allow the Chinese to feel at ease. However, historical research excludes emotional interference and emphasizes calmness and objectivity. Therefore, I often ask myself whether I have truly acted rationally.
2. This book is titled "A Re-examination 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 be closer to historical truth. Yet, time has passed, and the people and events of 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, the Wan Chun Pavilion on Jingshan Mountain, once part of the imperial garden, glimmers faintly in the sunset. While reviewing archives at the Chinese History Archive within the Forbidden City, I often strolled through 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 are said to still be faintly discernible 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 history, the pursuit of truth remains an eternal dream for historians.
3. This book is dedicated to my mentor, Professor Chen Xulu. Fourteen years ago, I became his graduate student. The thesis he supervised was titled "Chinese and British 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 spent only two years writing the book, the collection of materials and reflection on 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 keep wondering whether this book will meet his expectations and whether I can receive his critique. But the distance between heaven and earth is so vast... These three points still weigh heavily on my heart, even though I have now finished the 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 began working on this book, he proposed two key principles: 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 own contemporary perspectives in a reasonable 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. Here I record it.
I am grateful to Mr. Li Shaojun of Wuhan University. The essays of Japanese scholar Sasaki Masayoshi on the Opium War are essential reading, but I do not understand Eastern languages. Mr. Li Shaojun provided me with translations.
I am grateful to my colleague, Mr. Li Yongqing. As one of the compilers of "Archival Materials of the Opium War," he provided me with the draft of the materials he had compiled, which alleviated my urgent need.
I am grateful to Mr. Yang Guoqiang, also from the same academic circle, who read parts of the manuscript. His skill in offering suggestions made me suddenly realize my own shortcomings.
I am grateful to Mr. Zhu Jinyuan and Mr. Tang Kemin, also from the same academic circle, whose encouragement and support became a major driving force for me to complete this book as I wished.
What I am most grateful for, without a doubt, are the scholars who conducted thorough research 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 also want to say, please forgive me for standing on your shoulders.
The above acknowledgments do not mean that I am shirking responsibility. All the errors in this book are my own responsibility.