A Popular History of Republican-Era China (All Three Volumes)

From the time of Xia Yu down to the Qing, Chinese history saw revolutions and changes of dynasty time and again, yet never escaped the rule of emperors. Some founding emperors were wise and fair, but by the time power passed down through the generations, most of their descendants had become foolish and muddleheaded, oppressing the people. The people suffered unbearably and were driven to desperate measures, gathering in rebellion. Thus, dynasties throughout history have always risen and fallen.

No feast lasts forever, and no imperial house has ever escaped its end. For more than a century, Chinese and foreign thinkers alike have devoted themselves to politics, agreeing that the imperial system was fundamentally flawed. To solve the problem once and for all, they argued, the monarchy had to be overthrown and government placed in the people's hands. Then Sun Yat-sen, Li Yuanhong, and Yuan Shikai stepped forward to take charge, sweeping away the Qing dynasty's 267-year rule and abolishing an imperial system that had lasted for more than 4,600 years. All 400 million compatriots believed the Republic had dawned, unprecedented in all history, and that from then on the land would be peaceful beneath clear skies, with everyone enjoying a tranquil life.

Who could have known that by the second year of the Republic, everyone was holding gatherings and forming political parties, splitting into factions and vilifying one another, having already forgotten the very idea of a republic? By the tenth year of the Republic, the scene had changed dramatically, and all manner of strange events had nearly unfolded... The sight set this young writer's hands itching, so he wrote a number of words. Still, with his thoughts unfinished, he continued...