Four Classical Novels Annotated Edition

Author: Cao Xueqin et al. / Lin Guanfu et al. (Annotations)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-10-01
Features: The Dream of the Red Chamber follows the tragic love story between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, depicting the decline of a noble family from prosperity to ruin. The work offers a profound critique of feudal society, including the darkness of the imperial court and bureaucracy, the corruption of the feudal aristocracy and their families, the feudal imperial examination system, marriage system, and hierarchy, as well as the corresponding social ruling ideology and moral concepts. It also proposes a social ideal with preliminary democratic characteristics. Water Margin, also known as Outlaws of the Marsh, is a long novel. The author created this work based on Remnants of the Song Dynasty and related stories and ballads. The entire book focuses on the theme of peasant rebellion, portraying heroic figures like Li Kui, Wu Song, and Lin Chong, exposing the cruelty and corruption of the feudal ruling class, and revealing the social contradictions of the time. Written in vernacular Chinese, the language is vivid and lively, with character portrayals, achieving a high level of artistic accomplishment. It is considered a milestone in Chinese vernacular literature and holds profound significance. Journey to the West primarily tells the story of Sun Wukong protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West to retrieve Buddhist scriptures, enduring ninety-nine and one challenges. The journey of Tang Sanzang to the West is a real historical event. Around 1,300 years ago, in the first year of the Zhenguan era (627), the young monk Xuanzang, at the age of 25, left the capital Chang'an alone to study in India (Tianzhu). After departing from Chang'an, he passed through Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, overcoming numerous difficulties and finally reaching India. There, he studied for over two years and delivered a lecture at a major Buddhist theological debate, receiving praise. In the 19th year of the Zhenguan era (645), Xuanzang returned to Chang'an, bringing back 657 Buddhist scriptures. His journey to the West lasted nineteen years and covered tens of thousands of miles, a legendary long march that caused a sensation at the time. Later, Xuanzang dictated his travels, which were compiled by his disciple Bianji into Records of the Western Regions During the Great Tang Dynasty in twelve volumes. However, this book mainly described the history, geography, and transportation of the countries along the way, with little narrative. Later, his disciples Huili and Yancong wrote Biography of the Three Saints of Daming Temple, which added many mythical elements to Xuanzang's experiences. From then on, the story of Tang Sanzang's journey to the West began to spread widely among the people. During the Southern Song Dynasty, there was The Ballad of the Three Saints of the Great Tang Dynasty; in the Jin Dynasty, there were Tang Sanzang and The Peach Blossom Banquet in the palace drama; and in the Yuan Dynasty, there were Wu Changling's Tang Sanzang's Journey to the West and an anonymous The God Erlang Locks Sun Wukong. All these laid the foundation for the creation of Journey to the West. Wu Cheng'en also drew on folk tales, stories, and operas, through arduous re-creation, to complete this great literary masterpiece that the Chinese nation is proud of. Wu Cheng'en, styled Ruzhong, was known as Shaoyang Mountain Man, and was from Shanyang County, Huai'an Prefecture (now Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province). He was born around the period between the 13th year of the Hongzhi era and the early Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1500–1510) and died around the 10th year of the Wanli era (1582). Both his great-grandfather and grandfather were scholars who served as instructors and preachers in county schools. However, by his father Wu Rui's generation, due to poverty, he was adopted into the Xu family and took over their business, becoming a small merchant. Despite this, the Wu family maintained its tradition of scholarship. It is said that Wu Rui, though a merchant, was upright and loved reading and discussing current affairs, which naturally had a significant influence on Wu Cheng'en. Wu Cheng'en was very intelligent from a young age and entered school early, achieving success in his youth and gaining fame in his hometown. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is one of China's most accomplished historical novels, artistically recreating the political, military, and diplomatic struggles among the ruling groups during the Three Kingdoms period, from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the unification of the Western Jin Dynasty. Through its concentrated depiction of the conflicts, the work reveals the turmoil and darkness of late Han Dynasty society, reflects the suffering of the people, and expresses their strong desire for a wise ruler and peace.