The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Uprising's 160th anniversary in 2011 sparked ongoing debates over its significance. Historian Qi Benyu's 1963 article, "Comment on Li Xiucheng's Autobiography," challenged the previously accepted view of Li as a peasant hero, labeling him a "traitor." This article gained attention from Mao Zedong and the central leadership, aligning with the CPC's opposition to revisionism. Qi's involvement in the Central Cultural Revolution Group followed. This book reveals the inside story of this event, dispelling rumors, and includes Qi's original research articles on Li Xiucheng. It serves as a monograph on the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and a valuable historical resource for contemporary Chinese history.
