"The General's Journey to the West", a patriotic historical drama that was once banned. The script originally tells the historical achievements of Zuo Zongtang's western expedition to quell the Shaanxi-Gansu Rebellion and the recovery of the vast land north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, but it caused controversy because it involved Bai Yanhu, the leader of the Shaanxi-Gansu Rebellion rebellion. A group of historians and scholars objected to the script and even demanded an apology from the newspaper, which caused opposition and complaints from readers. These experts and scholars questioned that the script distorted historical facts and hurt the feelings of compatriots of all nationalities, and the consequences were serious. However, the controversy does not end there, how should we view it? How to strike a balance between history and patriotism, art and politics? The historical controversy caused by a symposium forced us to re-examine the evaluation of historian Fan Wenlan. Is his assessment of Zuo Zongtang as an extremely reactionary butcher in Modern Chinese History correct? The differing views of historians and scholars have sparked heated discussions. At the same time, they agreed that Bai Yanhu was a real hero. Does this mean that historical evaluation criteria are biased? Both Zuo Zongtang and Bai Yanhu have left a strong mark in modern Chinese history. Is the controversy among historical experts and scholars a historical controversy or a bias in the interpretation of history?
Can Zuo Zongtang be evaluated by the crime of massacre? Is Bai Yanhu's status overestimated? These issues require further exploration. History is a mirror in which we can see the times and thoughts of the past. However, this mirror is full of prejudice and misunderstanding. The controversy among historical experts and scholars, whether against Zuo Zongtang or Bai Yanhu, highlights the diversity and complexity of historical evaluation criteria. We need to take history seriously, continue to deepen the study of history, and understand history from a more comprehensive and objective perspective. In the face of historical controversy, we need to have a deeper discussion. History should not be tampered with and distorted, and we need to look at history objectively. At the same time, we also need to reflect on the plurality and complexity of historical evaluation criteria, and take a more comprehensive and balanced perspective to rationally view the development and evolution of history. In the end, we also need to remind ourselves that the truth of history is not insurmountable, and we need to explore more historical truth with an open mind. A national hero in modern Chinese history, Zuo Zongtang, whose deeds of quelling the Shaanxi-Gansu rebellion and recovering the vast land north and south of the Tianshan Mountains were widely praised.
However, a historical drama featuring him, "The Great General's Journey to the West" (also known as "Zuo Zongtang"), was banned because it involved a rebel leader, Bai Yanhu. Bai Yanhu slaughtered a large number of innocent people, but historians today regard him as "the leader of the Shaanxi-Gansu Hui rebel army who resisted the Qing army and a national hero in modern Chinese history." This ban has lasted for more than 20 years, resulting in this excellent patriotic historical drama not being appreciated by the general audience, which is really a great regret in the history of Chinese film and television. If this historical drama is not banned, it will provide a strong patriotic education for Chinese audiences, so that more people can understand the national heroes and their great deeds in history. We should face history squarely, see right from wrong, and inherit the spirit of justice, rather than banning excellent historical dramas for no reason. We should speak out for this banned historical drama, let it return to the screen, let more people see the truth of history, and draw positive energy from it. So, what do you think of this banned historical drama? Should it be re-aired? Zuo Zongtang's assessment is biased, and historians have long negatively evaluated his achievements in recovering the vast land north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, and even discredited his image as a national hero in quelling the Shaanxi-Gansu rebellion.
This prejudice was especially acute before 1976, when historians even considered the invader Aguba a "national hero" in southern Xinjiang without being aware of his brutality. It was not until after 1999 that historians acknowledged Zuo Zongtang's achievements in recovering vast lands north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, but still denied his achievements in quelling the Shaanxi-Gansu Rebellion. Historians define the Shaanxi-Gansu Rebellion as the "Shaanxi-Gansu Hui Uprising" and denigrate Zuo Zongtang, the national hero who quelled the Shaanxi-Gansu Rebellion, as an evil man who "suppressed the Shaanxi-Gansu Hui Rebellion." All county records in Shaanxi and Gansu Province are recorded, and seven of them record the evil deeds of the rebels. For example, the Lintong County Chronicle records that more than 300,000 people were killed in the seven years from 1862 to 1869, while not a single village or person north and south of the Wei River was spared. The Fuping County Chronicle also records that in 1855 there were 46,579 households out of a population of 250,000, but by 1876, only 28,543 households out of a population of 120,000 remained. We cannot deny the brutal truth of these historical events, but historians should evaluate historical figures and events objectively, and not mislead people because of prejudice.
The Shaanxi-Gansu Rebellion was a tragedy in Chinese history, and the rebellion cost the people of Shaanxi and Gansu provinces dearly. In this rebellion, countless people lost their homes and lives, and the history books record the loss of population and the destruction of life everywhere. However, in this rebellion, there was a national hero, Zuo Zongtang, who quelled the Shaanxi-Gansu Rebellion and saved the people of Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. In the process of quelling the Shaanxi-Gansu Rebellion, he also recovered 1.66 million square kilometers of land north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, saving innocent people from all over the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains. Zuo Zongtang is one of the greatest national heroes in modern Chinese history, and his great achievements deserve to be remembered forever by every Chinese sons and daughters. The heavy price of the Shaanxi-Gansu rebellion makes us wonder why such a rebellion occurred? Is it because the people of Shaanxi and Gansu provinces are too bitter? Is it because of the incompetence of the government? In fact, there are a series of reasons behind the Shaanxi-Gansu rebellion, such as politics, economics and religion. However, history is a thing of the past, and we can only learn from it and remember it in order to avoid similar tragedies from happening again.
Zuo Zongtang's great achievements in pacifying the Shaanxi-Gansu Rebellion and recovering the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains not only moved us, but also made us think, how did he do it? How did he lead his soldiers to fight alongside the local people and ultimately achieve victory? These are questions worth exploring and learning. At the same time, for each and every one of us, we can also draw strength and courage from Zuo Zongtang to create a better future. Finally, we need to remember history, not forget our original intention, and let us better understand our past and present through the reading of history and famous works, so that we can better face the future. Now, let's think about the question, if you were in the midst of the Shaanxi-Gansu chaos, what would you do? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area to share your thoughts.