Great Song Dynasty Empress--Phoenix Singing, Dragon Resonating

Author: Zhao Guoxing
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Opening the five-thousand-year history scroll of China, many people are familiar with the Western Han Dynasty's era of cultural prosperity, the early Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan era of governance, and the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty. However, the Xianping era of the Northern Song Dynasty remains largely unknown. In May of this year, Hebei-native writers Zhao Guoxing and Zhang Zhihong collaborated on the lengthy, serial historical novel The Empress of Emperor Zhenzong of the Great Song Dynasty, titled Phoenix Song, Dragon Chant, published by Yangtze Literature and Art Press, recreating this period of history. The work seamlessly blends the intricate court struggles with the love story between Emperor Zhenzong Zhao Yuankang and the commoner Liu E, featuring dramatic plot twists and legendary elements that give the novel high artistic value and strong readability, making it another notable historical novel by Yangtze Literature and Art Press following the success of Liu He's series of emperor novels.
The novel tells a true, non-fictional historical story, thus qualifying as a historical romance. The third son of Emperor Taizong, Zhao Yuankang, fell in love with the commoner Liu E for fourteen years, weaving a remarkable love story that inspired him to strive for greatness and ultimately ascend to the throne. The novel stays true to history, with its main plot based on factual records, distinguishing it from the popular fictionalized historical works of today. The love story between Emperor Zhenzong and Empress Liu E runs through the entire narrative, set against the backdrop of sharp, complex, and ever-changing court struggles, highlighting the artistic charm and success of the novel in portraying a virtuous and wise empress.
The story begins with Liu E escaping a brothel, then falling into the capital, where she meets the charming Prince Xiang Zhao Yuankang. Their love story is full of twists and turns, captivating and thrilling. The author does not depict Liu E in a static manner but places her in a series of major political events, vividly portraying her. Especially in the chapter "Sharing the Brightness of the Sun and Moon," the novel depicts Liu E advising Prince Xiang during a night talk at a moonlit pavilion, where she persuades him to embrace the ideals of ruling with love for the people and to cultivate grand ambitions. The scene is moving and engaging, revealing Liu E as far from ordinary—a woman whose words on governance are powerful and profound. By this point, Liu E's far-sighted vision in assisting Prince Xiang to achieve great success, her extraordinary spiritual realm, and her touching portrayal are brought to life, seemingly ready to leap off the page.
The novel skillfully captures and portrays the traditional virtues of an ancient Chinese virtuous woman, emphasizing Liu E's likable qualities. The character Liu E is a testament to the author's ingenuity. The dramatic and legendary elements of the story give it high artistic value and strong readability. Generally, historical novels based on official records are rare in their dramatic and legendary qualities, or those that possess such traits are few, like Romance of the Three Kingdoms—a masterpiece rarely seen. Phoenix Song, Dragon Chant makes significant efforts in this regard. For example, the novel depicts the downfall of Prince Yuanzuo, the eldest brother of Prince Xiang Zhao Yuankang, in a dramatic and orderly manner, filled with wit. Another instance is the chapter celebrating Emperor Taizong's birthday, where the princes each showcase their talents, leading to a series of comedic scenes, with Prince Xiang ultimately emerging victorious.
Notably, in the novel's conclusion, the author portrays the sharp-witted Prime Minister Lü Duan engaging in a verbal battle with the ministers and empress, falsely claiming to have a (imperial edict) left by Emperor Taizong, which cunningly tricks the former eunuch Wang Jien'en, leading to his capture while fetching the edict and allowing Prince Yuankang to ascend the throne before Emperor Taizong's coffin. Prime Minister Lü Duan employs the same methods against his enemies, demonstrating his wisdom at a critical moment, bringing the novel to a dramatic climax.
In summary, Phoenix Song, Dragon Chant follows two main threads: the conflicts over succession in the court and the love story between the emperor and empress, which intertwine and unfold gracefully. Beyond Liu E, the novel successfully portrays other characters such as Emperor Taizong, Emperor Zhenzong, Empress, Concubine Guo, Lady Qin, and ministers Lü Duan and Wang Jien'en, each vivid and well-balanced. These characters are unpretentious, each with distinct personalities, and leap off the page.
According to the author, Xiamen Television Station has agreed with China Central Television to adapt this novel, along with its upcoming sequels, into a large-scale television series, with a budget of 30 million yuan, casting renowned actress Siqin Gao and film Golden Rooster Award winner Ning Jing as Empress Xiao and Empress Liu, respectively. It is believed that this excellent historical novel will undoubtedly win the favor of the film and television industry and earn the heartfelt admiration of a broader audience.
Based on historical facts, the novel depicts the struggles and eventual rise to the throne of Liu Yixian, a beauty from Western Sichuan, who fell in love with Zhao Yuankang (Emperor Zhenzong) after enduring hardships. Empress Liu Yixian was unlike the formidable Empresses Lü Zhi of the Western Han, Wu Zetian of the Tang, or Cixi of the Qing—she was a kind and virtuous empress.
As the senior consort of young Zhao Yuankang (later Emperor Zhenzong), Liu Yixian supported him for thirteen years, using her beauty, wisdom, and courage to help him break free from his obsession with art and sensual pleasures. She transformed him from a lethargic, unambitious prince into one full of vigor and ambition, gradually distinguishing himself among his brothers and achieving notable accomplishments. In the prolonged and brutal "succession struggle," he defeated the invincible Prince Yuanxian of Zhou. When the crisis of the crown prince's betrayal threatened him, with the aid of Prime Minister Lü Duan, he foiled the plots of the eunuch Wang Jien'en and the uncle Li Jixun, ultimately ascending the throne before Emperor Taizong's coffin.
Phoenix Song, Dragon Chant captivates readers with its vivid and winding story, portraying numerous historical figures. It stands alone as a complete work while maintaining continuity with the latter two parts of The Empress of Emperor Zhenzong of the Great Song Dynasty, with consistent characters and historical progression. It is an engaging, thought-provoking, and indispensable historical novel.