1834 One Word as a Prelude to a War/ 一字之争

发生于1834年的"律劳卑事件"，是中国对外关系史上的重要转折，它彻底改变了中英关系的性质，将两国关系置于双方政府层面之上进行交涉，并由此导致了当年的虎门之战和后来1840年的中英战争。
如此重要之此一事件以往从未有过深入研究，大多是在相关书籍中被简单提及，而且往往是人亦云亦，以讹传讹，所有的引用、描述及结论都存在严重问题。甚至连伟大的马士也是如此，他在相关此处误引了被人篡改过的一段文字，被人误导和欺骗。
本书是有关此一事件的第一部专著，读后给人以精彩、专业、深刻和尖锐的印象。书的专业性体现在它对于史料的引用和研究，在主要问题上都是直接引用原始档案来予以说明和论述，而非如以往那样间接引用，所以更加准确，由此而导致的结论也与以往截然不同，甚至可以说是彻底推翻了以往有关此一事件描述和结论，令人大开眼界。
本书深刻之处在于它完美解释了满清王朝与现代中国之间的关联和发展，逻辑清晰，推论有力，对于想要更多了解中国历史和当今中国的人来说，它是必读之物。

The event of 1834 is a turning point in the history of foreign relations with China. It fundamentally changed the nature of relations between China and the United Kingdom; the settlement between the British sea-traders and the Chinese authorities failed, which ultimately led to the Battle of Humen and later the First Opium War between China and the United Kingdom in 1840.

Such an important event has hardly been studied in-depth; in most cases it is referenced in relevant scholarly publications; however, they just repeat what others say; the references quoted, the descriptions, the conclusions are flawed in many ways. Even as great as Hosea Ballou Morse was, he was deceived by others; consequently, in his publications he cited a passage which was distorted.

This book is the first publication to address the event in 1834. It will impress readers with its rigorous use of words. In terms of references, the author uses direct citations and original documents to argue and explain the main question, comparing it with indirect references; this method is much more accurate. As a result, this book contributes to new historical thinking and gives different conclusions, and is an eye opener.

This book is rare and valuable; it provides a plausible explanation of the link and development between the Chinese empire and modern China. The logic is clear and strong to support the conclusions. For those who want to know more about Chinese history, it is a must-read.