The writer February River died of illness in Beijing in the early hours of this morning (December 15) at the age of 73. February He's real name is Ling Jiefang, and his five-million-word "Emperor Series" historical novels "Kangxi Emperor", "Yongzheng Emperor" and "Qianlong Emperor" have a great influence and have been adapted into TV series such as "Kangxi Dynasty" and "Yongzheng Dynasty" and are well known to more audiences. The Beijing News reporter interviewed February River's former friend and writer Zhou Daxin.
On December 16, 2005, February River and Jin Yong held a dialogue in Shenzhen. Image source: Visual China
Beijing News: When did you meet February River? What impressed you in the process of interacting with him?
Zhou Daxin: I met February River probably in 1981. Because he lives in Nanyang, Henan, we both began to communicate very early. By the time he began to write the Sunset Trilogy, our interaction became more frequent.
February River has always been my big brother and has given me a lot of support over the years. When I first arrived in Nanyang, there was a time when my family encountered some difficulties. February River often came to visit me at my house and gave me encouragement, which made me very moved.
Beijing News: As an old acquaintance and old friend of February River, what kind of person do you think he is?
Zhou Daxin: February River has a bold personality, is very serious in everything, and is an old writer who is very willing to bring new people. Many young writers would ask him to write a preface, invite him to a seminar, and give his opinion on his work. February River not only enthusiastically participates in these activities, but also often lectures to young writers and imparts his experience.
Beijing News: What do you think of February River's "Emperor Series" novels?
Zhou Daxin: February River has been interested in "Dream of the Red Chamber" since he was a child, and he turned to writing historical novels after studying "Red Studies". Therefore, his novels have their own characteristics, with their own emotions and pursuits, which are not quite the same as the average best-selling historical fiction writer. From today's point of view, his "Sunset Trilogy" provides us with a large number of vivid and vivid depictions of the history of the Qing Dynasty, which helps us to learn the lessons of history. February River's "Emperor Series" novels are very popular with readers, and the sales are also very amazing, which has a great impact on ordinary readers.
Beijing News: Historical writers need to face the confrontation between the real and the fiction of history, how do you view the historical view of February River?
Zhou Daxin: February River is very clear that the history of feudal emperors is a stage in the historical development of our country. At the same time, he realized that the imperial system was gone forever and would never again appear in our country. Today we are all talking about democracy, where power rests with the people. Studying the history of the emperors and understanding the national conditions is very helpful to the future development of our country.
Beijing News: February River's works have also caused a lot of controversy. Some people believe that February River's historical novels praise feudal absolutist imperial power, and his "imperial view of history" is the initiator of the popular "emperor novel" and "emperor film and television" in recent years. What do you think of such a question?
Zhou Daxin: When an influential work is published, it always stirs up a variety of opinions. There are different opinions now, these discussions are normal and should be allowed. The purpose of February River's writing was not to establish a biography for the emperor and let everyone praise and praise them. He just wants to present this history so that the reader is interested in this past history. He hopes that readers will learn from the process of understanding this history, so as to follow the path we have today.
February River Image source: Visual China
Beijing News: Many people think that February River has created a precedent for "writers' anti-corruption", what do you think of the connection between his historical novels and the anti-corruption storm in recent years?
Zhou Daxin: When February River first wrote the historical novel, he certainly did not think of the anti-corruption movement in full swing in recent years. But when he studied history, he found that the prevalence of corruption was one of the main reasons for the decline of the Qing Dynasty. He used his pen to depict the corruption of the Qing Dynasty. This caused a huge spiritual shock to the vast number of readers, especially those from the political circles, and let them see the evil consequences of the corruption of the regime.
Beijing News: There are reports that after becoming famous, February River refused to become an official and was unwilling to serve as the executive vice chairman of the Henan Provincial Federation of Literature and Literature. What reason do you think he was reluctant to enter the bureaucracy?
Zhou Daxin: I don't know much about the whole process. But I think when he wrote historical novels, he described so many Qing officials, his understanding of the officialdom must be more profound than ordinary people, his novels describe the attractive things in the officialdom, but also show a lot of negative things, explore the dark parts of human nature. These writing processes have kept February River wary of the bureaucracy.
Beijing News: You and February River are both Henan writers, February River once said that Nanyang gave birth to itself, and the pen name "February River" also refers to the Yellow River, in order to remind yourself not to forget your ancestors. What kind of influence do you think the nanyang area of Henan Province has had on the creation of the February River?
Zhou Daxin: February River came to Nanyang with his parents when he was five years old. Henan is the hinterland of the Central Plains culture, and Nanyang is the birthplace of Chu culture. The first capital of the ancient Chu state was in Nanyang. There are definitely traces of Nanyang culture in February River's works. It is perfectly understandable that February River said that Nanyang was important to his spiritual growth.
Beijing News: What kind of role does February River play in the Nanyang writers group?
Zhou Daxin: After the death of Mr. Qiao Dianyun, February River was the leader of the Nanyang writers group. He is very willing to promote the younger generations, and indeed plays the role of leading the big brother. Over the years, the Nanyang writers group is still active in the literary world, which is inseparable from the leading role of February River.
Beijing News: I heard that February He's physical condition has been bad over the years, and he suffered a stroke while writing "The Qianlong Emperor", and the novel about the Jiaqing Emperor that he originally planned to create has not been fulfilled.
Zhou Daxin: When February River was composing the "Sunset Trilogy", he wrote from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. every day. This kind of work and rest is inconsistent with his need for physical recovery, and working for a long time until three or four o'clock in the morning is very hurtful, which I think is the root cause of his poor physical condition. After the stroke, February River also insisted on writing some essays and essays, and the response was also very good after being published in the press.
Beijing News: After February River died, what do you particularly want to say?
Zhou Daxin: During the Mid-Autumn Festival this year, I also visited him at Beijing 301 Hospital, and at that time, his physical condition improved somewhat, but I did not expect that he would take a sharp turn for the worse. February River is 73 years old this year, he died at this age, or left early, I hope he can go to heaven to enjoy happiness. In my novel Requiem, I envisioned the kingdom of heaven, where after death there is a "realm of enjoyment" in which the deceased can enjoy happiness. I hope he can go there and live happily.
Author: Beijing News reporter Li Yongbo
Edited by Shen Hexi Proofreader Wu Xingfa