The Secret History of the Manchus (In Plain Language)

A volume of secret history conceals the rise and fall of a dynasty; a lifetime of firsthand experience brings an era to life. Discover the truth of the late Qing turmoil through the writings of Xihua Louzhu.

The definitive work The Secret History of the Qing Dynasty by Xihua Louzhu (Wang Kaiyun), a leading figure of Hunan learning, is now available in a new vernacular edition! From the distinctive perspective of someone who witnessed events firsthand, it lifts the veil on the hidden power struggles of the late Qing and restores the intrigue and upheaval preceding the dynasty’s collapse through the fine grain of historical records.

A witness and participant in the chaos of the late Qing, Xihua Louzhu maintained connections across the empire throughout his life. He served as a secretary to Sushun, stayed up all night talking with Zeng Guofan, and personally experienced major upheavals such as the Xinyou Coup and the rise of the Xiang Army. Guided by the principle that private accounts and official histories should both be consulted, he strips away the embellishments of official history and takes readers straight to the scene.

Rather than following the conventional format of historical writing, the book traces the power struggles of the Qing’s final years through the lives of its key figures. It recounts the tragic end of the fierce Sushun, who sought reform but was executed by slicing, and Zeng Guofan’s restrained deliberations as he refused to pursue separatist rule, while also revealing the undercurrents between Manchu and Han factions, and between old and new forces, inside and outside the court.

The prose combines the insight and wit of a master of statecraft with a historian’s rigor and compassion. From imperial strategy and clashes between powerful ministers to the integrity of the literati, Xihua Louzhu weaves his personal experiences into the tides of his era, revealing the feuds, affections, and historical choices hidden in the gaps of official histories.

Open this book and follow Xihua Louzhu’s words through the mists of history. In the power struggles and battles of human nature, understand why the Qing dynasty’s downfall was inevitable, and feel the most authentic pulse of an era of great change through the account of someone who lived through it.