Stealing the Tang Dynasty

Before discussing whether the story is captivating, I must first express my gratitude. The very fact that this book is online and accessible to readers is thanks to the diligent editors of Group Two, especially the benevolent Qingshan.

After my first novel flopped, Qingshan told me to treat it as practice and suggested I write a historical tale next. He even gave me the title "Stealing the Tang" and reserved it for me, holding it until May twentieth when I finally published the book. Three months passed in the meantime.

I rewrote the beginning four times, accumulating nearly a hundred thousand words. It was a journey fraught with hardship. Qingshan, ever patient, repeatedly provided guidance and feedback. For a failing author to receive such support—what more could one ask for?

When drafting the synopsis, I almost ended up arguing with a group of literary giants whose monthly income runs into the millions. I wrote three synopses in succession, all rejected by them. Thus, the current version came about; regardless of its merits, I am determined to use it.

I am grateful to these luminaries in our group. There is no need for you to be annoyed by a minor, struggling author; if anyone should be frustrated, it’s me—for failing to capture the true essence of history. I believed the heart of a novel lies in its story and characters. The synopsis matters, but it is not the soul of a book.

The real key is you—the readers hold the ultimate power. If you say this book will flop, it surely will. If you say it will ignite, how could it not? I dr