Journal paper

Issue No.	No. 72
Title	Symbiosis with the Qing: Zheng Zhilong and the Formation of Historical Memory
Author	Cheng-heng Lu
Page	75-126
Abstract	Zheng Zhilong (1604-1661) is an important historical figure. Not only did he play a pivotal role in global exchanges during the seventeenth century, he also greatly influenced the course of Chinese history. Despite extensive scholarship on him, relatively little attention has been given to his activities after he surrendered to the Qing dynasty in 1646. Scholars have traditionally focused on his role as a hostage meant to persuade his son, Zheng Chenggong, to surrender to the Qing court. He is often portrayed negatively, in contrast to loyalists like Zheng Chenggong and Huang Daozhou. This article aims to provide a more nuanced portrait of Zheng Zhilong. It argues that his decision to surrender to the Qing was made only after careful consideration. It also examines his Banner affiliation, the structure of his social network in Beijing, and the circumstances surrounding his involvement in factional strife following the death of the regent Dorgon. Furthermore, this article demonstrates how historical narratives about Zheng Zhilong evolved from a simple portrayal of an arrogant military leader to a more complex interpretation intertwining his life with the memory of Huang Daozhou’s death. This reinterpretation of his life began in the Kangxi period and gained prominence during the Qianlong period, eventually developing into a near-mythical narrative that pitted Zheng Zhilong, the villain, against Huang Daozhou, the virtuous hero.
Keyword	Zheng Zhilong;Ming-Qing Transition;Dorgon;Huang Daozhou
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