Condensed Qin Dynasty serial set to reign

Sun Haohui at the 2015 Beijing Book Fair. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Sun Haohui continues to show he's a historical writer of historic proportions.

The self-taught historian's nonfiction series The Qin Empire is so popular that the multitudes of zealous fans' questions forced his latest book release event to run late at the Beijing Book Fair on Jan 9.

Thirty minutes after the scheduled end time, the host had to halt the Q&A, leaving many disappointed they didn't get to pose their queries.

Sun was presenting the abridged, three-book version of his best-selling 11-book series, The Qin Empire.

The new version condenses the 5 million-word franchise into 1.2 million words.

Its publisher estimates the new version will sell at least 100,000 copies.

The books chronicle the dynasty's trajectory from its 221 BC birth until its 206 BC fall and challenges many accepted pieties about the period's rulers.

"People often believe Qin rulers were brutal tyrants," Sun explains.

"And many criticize (founding) emperor Qin Shihuang for not respecting Confucianism. I believe the Qin Dynasty represents the peak of China's cultural diversity. It was a time when bravery and masculinity were fully respected."

Also, a comprehensive set of laws was applied, which was an advanced concept at the time, he says.

Sun's original series, which was published in 2008, is recognized as the only full literary account of the entire Qin era. It was adapted into a top-rated China Central Television serial in 2009 that brought him provincial-level and national awards.