Red men

Author: Cai Zhaolin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: This book can rival Stendhal's The Red and the Black and Li Peifu's The Lights of the City in revealing the complexity of human nature. Su Jiongming, born into humble circumstances, is determined to rise above his station and join the upper class, leading him to be profit-driven and unscrupulous, causing serious harm to others, the organization, and society. In the end, he is abandoned by all and meets his downfall. Su Jiongming is selfish, willing to sacrifice his body and soul for power, money, women, and hidden purposes. He, both of whom become victims of his love lies. In his eyes, marriage is merely a bargaining chip, and his wife is nothing more than a tool for procreation. He uses these women to achieve one goal after another. Of course, human nature is very complex, and Su Jiongming also has kind and lovable qualities. He is loyal to his friends, takes his work seriously, and retains his sense of justice toward the weak—all as long as it doesn’t harm himself. Love is the sacred temple in everyone’s heart, and Su Jiongming is no exception. His first love, Hong Xuexin, reappears after several years, her beauty, intelligence, and untamed spirit making him unable to resist her. To win her love back, he colludes with a group of scoundrels from the Jiangnan Water Temple, resorting to all means to fraudulently and ruthlessly plunder public property. Hong Xuexin, faced with the man she once loved and for whom she paid a heavy price, is confused and bewildered, unable to let go of her old feelings.