In this chaotic world

Author: Wei Minghua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-02-01
Features: My little book does not dare to claim itself as research—it can at most be described as a collection of reading notes. When I have free time and gain some insights from reading, I jot them down in my notes. Over time, the accumulated materials grew, and thanks to the publisher's kindness, they were slightly organized into what you see now. After finishing writing, I realized that the people depicted in the book mostly carry a dim hue. I can only say this: the myriad people in the book lived in old China. Their dimness cannot be blamed on them, but rather on the vanished era and its circumstances. Therefore, I chose the title "" (Mire World's Wretched), a phrase heavy with compassion, aiming to provide some materials for regional cultural studies. I hope the readers will understand my intentions. If you are kind enough to appreciate it, I might have the courage to write a sequel.
The land is divided into north and south, and people are too. The differences in mountains, rivers, climate, and produce have brought about variations in physique, temperament, and customs among the people who live there. Perhaps we can put it simply: ultimately, it is the differences in natural conditions and geographical environment that give the cultural landscapes of these places their unique charm. The gentle mountains and soft waters of the Jiangnan region have given rise to delicate and frail southerners, while the highlands and deserts of the northern frontier have produced sturdy and robust northerners—in general, that is how things are. Of course, there are always exceptions to everything, such as the so-called "southern features in a northern person" or "northern features in a southern person." The Chinese have long observed and understood the differences between the south and the north. I don't bother to look through old books, as I have a few readily available that can serve as examples.