Yan Chongnian - The Authentic Story of the Twelve Emperors of the Qing Dynasty

Author: Yan Chongnian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: "Authentic Interpretation" means telling history as it truly was, objectively and truthfully to the general audience. "Authentic Interpretation" is in contrast to "" (). Since the 1980s, for over 20 years, Chinese film and literature have been fascinated with ancient Chinese history, especially the Ming Dynasty, Qing emperors, and the Qing court, leading to a trend of. This has both sparked public interest in Qing history and left people puzzled. There is a widespread expectation for an authentic telling of Qing history, akin to "thirsting for sweet rain after a long drought." "Authentic Interpretation" deals with history, while "" fabricates stories. Novelists and filmmakers may Qing history, Qing emperors, and the Qing court, creating characters and crafting tales—this is the realm of artists. For the audience, watching "" should be understood as "" (playful fiction), enjoying the entertainment without taking it seriously. Historians, on the other hand, engage in "Authentic Interpretation" of Qing history, Qing emperors, and the Qing court to pass on historical knowledge and enhance cultural literacy—this is the duty of historians. For the audience, both "Authentic Interpretation" and "" are necessary; it is neither fair to demand historians to "" nor to expect filmmakers to "Authentic Interpretation." However, historians have the responsibility and obligation to truthfully narrate real historical figures, real historical events, and real historical stories to the broad audience and readers. The Qing Dynasty marks the last page of China's long feudal society. Over more than 200 years, the Qing Dynasty made significant contributions surpassing previous dynasties but also left behind a record of failures and humiliations for the Chinese nation. During these 200 years, from Nurhaci to Puyi, twelve emperors ruled this vast country. Whether it was the wise Kangxi Emperor or the short-lived Tongzhi Emperor, all left indelible marks on it. To authentically interpret the twelve emperors of the Qing Dynasty is to authentically interpret the rise and fall of a dynasty and the passage of time in an era.