It is a long journey to present a book. I have been fortunate to receive so much support and encouragement throughout this journey. It is my wish that this book brings some satisfaction to all those with expectations of me.
Richard Lufrano was my first reader. With incredible patience, he offered countless comments on every page of my draft. His guidance and encouragement have always extended far beyond the reasonable expectation of a student for a teacher. Thomas H.C. Lee has supported me since I came to New York in 2004. He is always the first person I ask whenever I have questions about academics, and he has always been a true support. I first met Joseph Dauben sixteen years ago when he was in a project translating Chinese bamboo strips about Chinese mathematics. Over the years, I benefited greatly from our talks. David Gordon, a French historian, read the manuscript. He provided me practical tips for helping ensure that my work reaches a wider audience.
William Chuck Wooldridge gave me critical comments and brought up many questions I had not considered before. Wooldridge also introduced me to Pamela Kyle Crossley, who patiently answered my questions and gave me some mind-opening suggestions.
Eugenio Menegon provided me with many thoughtful comments both in person and in emails. He directed me to several documents and studies closely related to my book. Paul Rule read the manuscript and gave me dozens of pages of suggestions. I benefited immensely from our email discussions. It is a pure joy to discuss history with such an erudite scholar.
Hu Xiangyu, my roommate while I was in Minneapolis, who is now in Renmin University of China, has always been my first consultant on Qing history. Xu Jianping and Zou Yi, my undergraduate classmates, who are now at Fudan University, helped me find several Chinese materials. They are also my gracious hosts whenever I go to Shanghai.
I also want to thank the two anonymous reviewers, both of whom gave me very valuable suggestions. I am sure they will see my revisions based on their advice.
Research in Manhattan is sometimes difficult. Surrounded by friends who work in real estate or stocks and bonds, my academic pursuits feel utopian in many regards. Thankfully, my wife and my parents take care of the practical side of life, leaving me space for wandering in history. My wife, Shuang, and my daughter, Hanzhang, read the manuscript, and they helped me to make my stories accessible and engaging.