"Reign of the Dragon: A Song of Chang'an"

Author: Zhou Zhifang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The long historical novel A Song of Zhenguan portrays the heroic figures of the legendary ruler Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang) and a series of prominent figures from the early Tang dynasty, including Wei Zheng, Changsun Wuyi, Fang Xianling, and Cen Wenben. The book also brings to life the radiant artistic characters of Princess Ankang and Empress Changsun. While it is a historical narrative, it also weaves in several love stories—some romantic, some magnificent, and some tragic. The novel skillfully incorporates the documented marital turmoil between Emperor Taizong and a woman of the Zheng clan. Between love and law, the emperor made a rational choice, leaving behind the bittersweet fate of love unfulfilled but upholding the dignity of propriety. The love story of the heroine, Princess Ankang, with a merchant and a former turned loyal minister, is a rollercoaster of emotions, stirring the heart and soul. These love stories are organically woven into the tense and sharp court struggles, adding a vibrant hue to the work. Through the fusion of realism and romanticism, the book presents readers with a magnificent tapestry of heroic figures and dynamic times, while also allowing them to experience the harmonious, open, and colorful Tang Dynasty in an era of national integration. Thus, the work becomes a long song of history and a long song of love!