Talking About Ancient Famous People: Liu Bang

Author: Xu Kang, Liu Xiaochuan (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Recently, China's first large-scale series of online commentaries, Big Talk About Ancient Famous Figures, is about to be launched by Bashu Publishing House. The book selects historically significant and influential figures with strong personalities, such as Wu Zetian, Qin Shi Huang, Yongzheng, Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang, and Zeng Guofan, and features critiques by influential literary critics in China. On April 10, a network reading and discussion session was held in Sichuan, where renowned writers and cultural figures explored seven sample chapters of Big Talk About Ancient Famous Figures that had already been completed. Attendees unanimously agreed that it was a unique and distinctive commentary series, with its standout features being the rich and distinctive story selections, the sharp and fluent language of the critics, and the vivid and lively perspectives, offering readers a fresh and engaging experience. The literary critics and writers in attendance also engaged in an in-depth discussion of the book's themes.
Xu Kang (Vice President of the Sichuan Writers' Association and Executive Deputy Director of the Ba Jin Literary Institute) believes that the title Big Talk About Ancient Famous Figures is well-chosen, and the reason lies in the broad scope of the term "big talk." Big talk straddles the line between seriousness and satire, encompassing both storytelling and commentary. The critiques are delivered in a relaxed, playful, and humorous tone, evaluating historical figures through modern perspectives, offering readers enlightenment and leaving them with space for reflection and endless fascination. Currently, most history-themed books on the market merely objectively introduce historical figures, whereas books like Big Talk About Ancient Famous Figures present a different side of figures such as Wu Zetian, Qin Shi Huang, and Zeng Guofan, revealing aspects that are not easily perceived. Their personalities, true natures, inner thoughts, and the hidden sorrow, melancholy, and suffering in their hearts are vividly captured by the critics, allowing readers to clearly see that even the once-powerful emperors and ministers in history possessed ordinary human qualities.
Wu Li (a renowned critic) stated that when we say "big talk about ancient famous figures," it is not simply about writing history or judging historical figures as good or bad, nor is it about making readers reinterpret figures like Cao Cao and Zeng Guofan. The reason we chose these historical figures for commentary is that they have exceptionally distinct personalities and extraordinary achievements, capable of transcending conventional norms. Through "big talk" commentary, readers can understand these figures' valuable personalities, which in turn reveal their true natures and allow readers to reflect on the present. Traditional Chinese history has long suppressed the expression of individuality, yet historical figures successfully asserted their own personalities. We want readers to clearly understand their bold and assertive traits. For example, Wu Zetian personally killed her own son, showcasing her ruthlessness. Yet she also demonstrated her compassion by appointing her rival, Shangguan Wan'er, to a high position, revealing her soft and benevolent side. The combination of ruthlessness, compassion, and other complex traits in Wu Zetian inevitably sparks endless reflection, offering modern people valuable insights and cautionary lessons on how to live.
Yuan Jiliang (Deputy Director of the Creative Research Office of the Sichuan Writers' Association) mentioned that seeing this series reminded him of Croce's quote: "All history is contemporary history." When cultural figures discuss ancient famous figures, it allows us to stand in a new, modern perspective to freely recognize and evaluate them. Using today's thoughts and perspectives to critique them means that in history, they were emperors or ministers, but now, we view them simply as ordinary people. "Big talk" aims to extract the unique qualities of these figures, analyzing their personalities and presenting them to modern readers, offering fresh inspiration, prompting deeper reflection, and leaving a lasting impression.
The atmosphere of the discussion session was highly spirited. When this book is presented to readers, we hope they will engage in in-depth discussions online and through other media, continuing to explore deeper layers of meaning.