Sci-fi writer Zhu Yuqing's new novel delves into interstellar civilizations, power struggles, and redefines death for humans and biological intelligences.

The cover of "Wuhuan Xingyi." [Image courtesy of The Writers Publishing House]

As a part-time writer, Zhu dedicated two to three hours daily to writing whenever he found time outside his busy schedule. His new book, "Wuhuan Xingyi," which translates as "Times Change and Stars Shift," was published by The Writers Publishing House, and is his latest work following his popular novel "Welkin Journey" in 2022.

The ambitious interstellar epic is set in a vast galactic civilization spanning the Earth and millions of planets. The story follows two "dead" protagonists who survive a planet-destroying catastrophe, only to discover they are a hybrid third species — created through a secret alliance between machine and biological intelligences. Rejected by the biological world, they grapple with their identity and existence, redefining life and death in a universe where they no longer belong.

"As warriors forged in the crucible of brutal interstellar wars, the protagonists understand the overwhelming power of galactic organizations and the insignificance of individuals," Zhu told China.org.cn. "They are pawns in a grand, secretive game, unable to control their bodies, lives or even their deaths. Yet, they cling to their inner resolve, finding purpose in fighting for the public. Despite their lack of autonomy, they believe in the spark of hope within every individual — a flame that, when ignited, can shine as brightly as the stars."

In the novel, the author delves into a variety of aspects as planetary civilization transitions into the realm of interstellar civilization. These include the alienation and greater uncertainties of survival rules under the vast, highly advanced cosmic civilization ecological chain; the redefinition of death for humans and biological intelligence; the escalating spiral of competition among different intelligent species; unimaginable methods of warfare after higher civilizations surpass cosmic laws; and the dynamics in the era of interstellar civilization, where power-ruling institutions are unprecedentedly strong, and the social governance structure is increasingly complex. 

"Individuals face a profound crisis, feeling stripped of value and self-control, with the infinite starry sky reduced to insubstantial dust. For those wielding immense power, only endless territories matter," the author explained. He mentioned that as power expands from tribes to stars in his story, the power structure and the rules of competition governing society undergo earth-shattering changes.

He also noted that technology, while transformative, is not inherently benevolent. "It becomes a weapon for those seeking power, each vying to dominate the cosmos," he said. "Yet, technological breakthroughs are unpredictable, and even the most powerful tools can become obsolete in an instant. In the infinite starry sky, countless forces exist, and no one can control all variables. As intelligence unravels the mysteries of 'natural forces,' there unfolds a high-dimensional competition of super civilizations beyond imagination."

Author Zhu Yuqing. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Zhu Yuqing first developed a strong interest in astronomy and physics around the age of 5 or 6. Even today, his desk is stacked with dozens of books on astronomy and physics, including "A Brief History of Time" and "The Universe in a Nutshell" by Stephen Hawking. He said that he continues to study the theories and research of physicists like Albert Einstein, James Clerk Maxwell and Chen Ning Yang.

The author is an expert with the China National Committee for Terminology in Science and Technology and a specially appointed researcher at the Beijing Yuanyu Science Fiction and Future Technology Research Institute. He has served as a top executive at several major media organizations, dedicated to the practice of industrial informatization and internet communication. He has also served as the chief editor, editor and translator for multiple books.

Although the Earth and beyond are filled with the slaughter and conspiracy of civilization's power holders in "Wuhuan Xingyi," love remains the most wondrous presence in the universe.

However, falling in love is one destiny, and staying in love is another, Zhu pointed out. "Given the vastness of the starry sky, love is often unattainable. That very meteor, fleeting in the passionate gaze of life, resides eternally in the indifferent universe," he said. "To contemplate the myriad dynamics of the world, to ask how many times has the world changed under the shifting stars; the universe is unpredictable, beyond expression."

Zhu Yuqing, whose favorite sci-fi novel is "Galactic Empire" by Isaac Asimov, believes science fiction encompasses grand worldviews, facilitating the exploration of profound topics such as human destiny. "Chinese science fiction also needs to develop more of its own grand cosmic worldviews, so I aim to create a cosmic worldview of our own," he said.

The new novel has received support and praise from such Chinese sci-fi luminaries as Wang Jinkang and Liu Cixin. Liu noted that the work has "a grand cosmic worldview of the type found in 'The Three-Body Problem.'" Zhang Yali, chief editor of The Writers Publishing House, also stressed, "In the science fiction world, where the future fate of humanity is at stake, Chinese sci-fi stories and heroes cannot be absent."