The Romance of the Republic (Volumes 1 and 2) (Illustrated Edition)

Author: Cai Dongfan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: In a prosperous era, there are right and wrong. But in a chaotic era, how can there be no right and wrong? The problem lies in taking wrong as right and right as wrong. With conflicting opinions and confusion, people are lost and right and wrong are overturned and no longer clear. In the past, Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals, and Mencius opposed Yang and Mo. Their writings were meticulous, and their debates were thorough, which greatly contributed to maintaining social order. Therefore, later generations called them sages. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, autocracy became increasingly severe, with strict censorship. Even minor criticisms could lead to punishment. How could wise people bear to risk their lives debating right and wrong in a chaotic era? Thus, without a change of dynasty, there has never been a Dang Hu with a straight pen to reveal the truth of right and wrong. Even those who were indignant at the times could only express their grievances through songs or folk tales, using beautiful women and fragrant grasses to write their worries. Water Margin and Dream of the Red Chamber were all allegorical works. Even the most discerning readers, after carefully examining them, could not fully uncover the hidden truths, let alone those with limited understanding.
Today's Republic of China is an era of transition between the old and the new. The old may not be entirely wrong, and the new may not be entirely right. Since the beginning of the Republic, the situation has been unstable, changing constantly. One day something is considered right, the next day it is wrong, and then the wrong becomes right again, and the right becomes wrong. People are in turmoil, and it is hard to figure out what is what. Applying the principles of right and wrong to this situation may lead to a situation where you are driving south but end up north, never reaching your destination.
Recalling the 1911 Revolution, the people of the country believed that overthrowing the Qing dynasty and ending autocracy would bring them the happiness of a republic. But unexpectedly, it ended up like a fox burying its tail and never came to fruition. Yuan Shikai, despite his ability to gather talent and wisdom, lacked the virtue to govern well. His obsession with imperial rule ultimately led to failure and even gave rise to warlord interference, bringing disaster to the nation. Li Yuanhong and Feng Yuxiang followed, only to suffer the same fate and be forced to resign. Donghai succeeded him, but in an era of irreparable decline and amid northern and southern conflicts, everyone claimed to be right and condemned what others did, leading to endless strife. Can this not be stopped? Fortunately, the Provisional Constitution was restored, and the freedom of speech and the press of the people were still protected by the constitution. Even the common people, based on their observations, could write and speak frankly, with no penalty for the speaker and caution for the listener. This was still a gift of the republic, and the survival of our Republic may not have been possible without it.
Without overestimating myself, I have meticulously recorded the facts since the founding of the Republic, arranged them in order, and compiled them into chapters, using the style of a historical novel to describe the contemporary situation. Every word is based on facts, and I dare not fabricate. My pen feels like a knife, but I rely on justice. If I believe something is right but others think it is wrong, it is acceptable to let it be. If I believe something is wrong but others think it is right, it is also acceptable to let it be. Are my words bold or reckless? I dare to present them to the learned and respected.
On January 1, 1921, Guye Dongxuan wrote this in Linjiang Book Studio. The Popular History of the Republic of China, volumes 1 to 3, was written by my friend Cai Dongfan. Cai had a habitual passion for newspapers, collected a wealth of materials, and wrote it in detail. Enhanced by his well-structured writing and meticulous organization, it became a perfect historical novel. After its publication, it spread far and wide. The owner of Huaiwen Tang thought that since Cai's work ended in 1919, ten years had passed, and it was time for a continuation. He asked me to write volumes 4 and 5, starting from the 1919 Li Chun suicide case and ending with the 1928 unification of the National Government across the country. Each volume consists of 40 chapters, with 300,000 words in total.
In recent years, I have been running around in the military and political circles, struggling for a livelihood, leaving my writing neglected and my mind clouded with worldly concerns. Compiling materials has also been extremely tedious. I hastily took up the pen to fulfill my duty, but I fear I may only bring ridicule from the wise and be laughed at as a dog's tail. If Cai hears this, will he not laugh at my ignorance?
May 1928, East Yue Xu Yingfu.