February River Collection (13 volumes)

Author: Erhuhe
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-09-01
Features: The Kangxi Emperor
Kangxi ascended to the throne at the age of eight, following the of Shunzhi, with four advisors: Songshi, Sukezhaha, Ebitong, and Abai. Among them, Abai was arrogant and tyrannical. After the death of the elderly minister Songshi, he allied with Ebitong and executed Sukezhaha, who did not cooperate with him, consolidating his control over the court. He often roared in the Golden Hall, forcing Kangxi to comply with his wishes. At the age of fourteen, Kangxi took personal control of the government, but Abai not only refused to return power to the emperor but also formed factions, plotted with his loyalists, and conspired to assassinate the emperor to seize the throne.
Kangxi was intelligent and mature from a young age. On one hand, he secretly took the failed scholar Wu Ciyou, a talented figure from Jiangnan, as his teacher, diligently studying the governance experiences of past emperors. On the other hand, he selected and trained over a dozen young and strong men under the guise of martial arts training, preparing to eliminate the greatest in his vicinity.
The Yongzheng Emperor
The struggle among the brothers, the hidden danger of assassination, the change of power in the dragon throne—Yongzheng barely won. The revised edict, the accusation of patricide, the succession—，，，. The author uses historical records to write, and literary skills to establish history. From the highest court rituals to the farthest streets, everything is vividly depicted. Above, there are ceremonial systems, palace architecture, clothing and food, music and rites, all described in detail with a strong scholarly atmosphere. Below, there are brothels, temples, markets, and rural areas, all unfolding with a rich variety of scenes. The brothers' rivalry, the open and hidden struggles, every word reveals cunning and strategy; the singing and dancing girls, their lingering melodies, every sentence moves the heart. The plot is set with twists and turns, character portrayals are rich and appropriate, and the structure is ingenious. With thought as the warp and art as the weft, the author overlooks history and explores life—only a great master can achieve this. As one critic remarked after reading: "A rare masterpiece of historical fiction."
The Bow of the Blue Wolf
The nine princes vied for the throne, and Yongzheng barely won, replacing the old with the new in the Forbidden City. But the tree wants to be still, yet the wind does not stop. Within the palace and beyond, across the land, the danger remains. The eighth prince's faction is not yet dead, its ambition to replace is pressing; the proud general Nian Gengyao, who boasts of his achievements, interferes in politics with his army; even the trusted minister Long Keduo wavers, sending troops into the Forbidden City. The situation is turbulent, like clouds covering the sun. In the midst of chaos, the emperor's talent is tested. Relying on ministers like Fang Bao, Yongzheng reformed the bureaucracy, promoted new talents like Tian Wenjing and Liu Molin, and risked his life to inspect the Yellow River defenses, showing compassion for the people. Taking advantage of the victory in Qinghai, he calmly shattered the conspiracy of the eighth prince and the fourteenth prince, imprisoned Long Keduo, and ordered the execution of Nian Gengyao. This book is a beloved and praised sequel to The Yongzheng Emperor: The Nine Princes for the Throne. It not only maintains the artistic features of the first volume, with a wide scope and grand scenes, including political struggles and tender love, but also has a more balanced and detailed structure. The author excels in writing about the history of emperors, handling palace secrets with precision, especially the subtle relationships and cunning strategies in palace struggles. For today's readers, the work not only takes you back to those unpredictable times but also offers aesthetic enjoyment.
Nian Gengyao is executed, Long Keduo is imprisoned, but the influence of the eighth prince's faction remains. In secret meetings at the princely mansions, they plot to force Yongzheng to abdicate, using the "Iron Hat Prince." In the Palace of Heavenly Purity, fierce debates and turmoil erupt. On one side, the emperor's is absolute, as Yongzheng severely punishes his brothers; on the other, he is entangled in the tenderness of a sister-in-law who resembles his former lover. Is this divine retribution, or just a twist of fate? Serving the emperor, she is still blood of the imperial family. The torment of incest, the corrosion of elixirs, the haunting of spirits—just when he was revitalized and directing the nation, he suddenly meets his end with the White Tiger and the Jade Rabbit. The mystery of the remains a puzzle of the ages, and upon reflection, the clouds and mist still obscure the truth. This volume is the concluding work of the renowned historical novelist Erhuhe's series of historical novels The Yongzheng Emperor. The author, deeply immersed in traditional culture, is not only familiar with all walks of life, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, but also has extensive research on the life of emperors and the history of the Qing court. Drawing on his long study of the outstanding classical novel Dream of the Red Chamber, he combines traditional literary techniques with modern consciousness, creating a grand historical tapestry with ingenious planning and a majestic atmosphere. Not only does he depict the complex political struggles in the Forbidden City during the later years of Yongzheng, but he also shows the fierce competition and ruthless struggles among officials in various regions, as well as the unpredictable fates of scholars. Palace secrets, market scenes, imperial examinations, brothels and taverns—all are vividly portrayed by the author. Reading this work is undoubtedly an artistic tour of the history of the transition from the Yongzheng to the Qianlong era.
The Qianlong Emperor
Yongzheng died under mysterious circumstances, and the twenty-five-year-old Qianlong ascended to the throne. He was ambitious, aiming to surpass the emperors of past ages and create a prosperous era for the Great Qing. He adhered to the policy of "governing with leniency," abolishing the harsh policies of the previous dynasty. He valued upright and capable officials, promoted new talents, reformed the bureaucracy, and severely punished corrupt officials. He worked diligently, reduced taxes, allowed the people to rest and recuperate, and often visited in disguise to understand the people's needs, sending capable officials to relief disasters and prevent unrest. He led armies to suppress rebellions in the small and large Jinchi, the Western Regions, and Taiwan. He ordered Ji Tao to compile the Siku Quanshu to gather the hearts of scholars across the land. The Qianlong era gradually moved toward a prosperous and flourishing age. However, at the same time, the contradiction of land consolidation intensified, corruption and debauchery in the court became rampant, border threats persisted, and crises loomed. The tree grew too large, its roots hollowed, and in his later years, Qianlong's love for grandeur and ambition led to many misgovernances. He also appointed corrupt ministers like Heshen, dismissed virtuous officials, and gradually the nation's strength declined.
Erhuhe depicts the vast social scenes of the Qianlong era in his book. From the highest court to the farthest streets, from palaces and private residences to markets, rural areas, battlefields, and brothels, he covers all aspects of politics, economy, military, and culture, imbued with rich cultural significance, making it a of the mid-Qing period. At the same time, the author meticulously portrays the cunning strategies of political struggles, the strategic planning of military battles, the diverse lives of scholars and literati, and the harsh realities of the world, with profound artistic. This is currently the most mature and powerful long work by Erhuhe.