《当年万里觅封侯》by 漫漫何其多 – An approachable early historical novel

Historical setting novels are infamous for being challenging for Chinese second language learners. At the same time, it’s also very popular amongst learners, and many aspire to be able to read them comfortably someday.

So, I’m always on the lookout for suitable materials to help learners reach that goal.

《当年万里觅封侯》by 漫漫何其多 was recommended to me as an approachable historical novel, and I’m happy to report that, although it may not be the easiest historical setting webnovel, it’s on the easier scale. Of course, any previous experience would always be helpful.

Let’s discuss my thoughts on this historical novel.

Synopsis

After the death of his adoptive father, under the order of the emperor, Zhong Wen and the remaining children leave the capital to reside in a remote town far away. To survive, Zhong Wen spreads rumours of his intimate relationship with Ye She (one of the emperor’s nephews), so that nobles won’t take advantage of them and make their lives difficult. Soon, they are ordered to return to the capital by the emperor, and Zhong Wen meets face-to-face with his “lover”.

The drawback

Let me first discuss a major drawback of 《当年万里觅封侯》by 漫漫何其多, which is the flashbacks!

The story begins with the main character returning to the capital city and reuniting with old acquaintances, including the second lead (i.e. soon-to-be-lover).

At this point in the story, we, as readers, know nothing about their history or relationship, and this is slowly revealed to us through a series of small flashbacks.

Unfortunately, this means we are left in the dark for many chapters, leaving many of the initial interactions between the two characters rather confusing.

It all clears up once everything is revealed, but getting through those initial chapters can feel like a drag.

The Story

Now that I’ve discussed the drawback, let’s talk about a good aspect of 《当年万里觅封侯》by 漫漫何其多.

The best part, after the flashback segments are over and we’re clear on the two main characters’ history and relationship, is definitely the relaxing, straightforward yet compelling storyline.

I really enjoyed the subtle court intrigue—it strikes just the right balance between political power struggles and the development of the characters’ romantic relationship.

The pacing is another good aspect. Besides the initial segments, the rest flowed smoothly, and I didn’t feel there were parts that dragged or that there were any strange time skips.

The ending is also highly satisfying. It’s a natural and fitting conclusion for the couple, and it was the perfect wrap-up to the entire political manoeuvre.

The Dynamics

In this novel, the main character is the one actively pursuing the lover, which is a refreshing change from the typical romance in which the lover chases after the protagonist.

I really enjoyed this unique dynamic.

One thing to note if you’re thinking about reading it: the lover is mentally unstable, has some unpredictable moments and occasional outbursts. Despite this, their relationship is not toxic, and he remains respectful and considerate toward the main character throughout the story.

Difficulty for a Chinese second language learner

The first half of the novel is generally more accessible and easier to read than the second, which is more complex and involves intricate political manoeuvring and court intrigue.

Some experience with reading Chinese novels is recommended, as 《 当年万里觅封侯 》 by 漫漫何其多 is not an approachable novel for a beginner. This novel will be much more approachable when you have knowledge of around 2,000 Chinese characters.

Having some foundational knowledge of the imperial family’s structure and hierarchy, as well as of the Northern tribes’ organisational structure, is highly recommended for better comprehension.

Final Thoughts

If it weren’t for the confusing start with the flashbacks, I’d be recommending this novel to everyone. I know many readers struggle with flashback-driven narratives, finding them hard to follow—and to be honest, I’m not a fan of this narrative style either.

That said, I still really enjoyed 《当年万里觅封侯》by 漫漫何其多 and would recommend this to others, as long as they’re prepared for the first segment.

From a learner’s perspective, it’s a good choice as an early novel for a learner with reading experience who’s looking to dive into the historical genre.