Children Heroes' Tale I & II (Complete Two Volumes)

Author: Wen Kang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: This book is set directly in the Qing Dynasty society, telling the story of An Zhu, a scholar-official's son, who travels alone to save his father and encounters betrayal along the way. He is saved by the heroic woman He Yufeng (known as Shisanmei). He Yufeng arranges a marriage between An Zhu and Zhang Jinfeng, a young woman she also saves. Afterward, He Yufeng retreats from the world. An Zhu's father, to repay the kindness of Shisanmei, resigns his official post and searches far and wide, eventually uncovering He Yufeng's true identity as the daughter of a military family. He informs her that her father's enemies have been eliminated by the imperial court, thus avenging her family's grudge. Under the persuasion of others, He Yufeng ultimately changes her earlier vow to become a nun and dedicate her life to mourning her parents, eventually marrying An Jie and working together with Zhang Jinfeng to manage An's household. An Zhu excels in examinations year after year, achieving success as a third-class scholar. Before his appointment to Shandong, he takes another concubine to accompany him. One person's success brings honor to the entire family. This book is widely celebrated for its vivid and intricate plot and its distinctive local color in language. The Story of a Heroic Maid and Her Lover is a novel with unique characteristics. Since its publication during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, it has been beloved by readers. The author, Wen Kang, whose surname is Feimo, was a Manchu from the Xianghong Banner. In the book, the author creates a fictional ideal story: During the reigns of Kangxi and Yongzheng, the honest official An Xuehai is framed by corrupt officials. His son An Jie travels alone to save his father and is betrayed along the way, saved by the heroic woman He Yufeng (Shisanmei). Shisanmei arranges a marriage between An Jie and Zhang Jinfeng, another young woman she saves. Afterward, she retreats from the world. An Xuehai, to repay Shisanmei's kindness, resigns his official post and searches far and wide, eventually uncovering Shisanmei's true identity as the daughter of a military family. Shisanmei learns of her true identity from her father, who informs her that her father's enemies have been eliminated by the imperial court, thus avenging her family's grudge. Under the persuasion of others, Shisanmei ultimately changes her earlier vow to become a nun and dedicate her life to mourning her parents, eventually marrying An Jie and working together with Zhang Jinfeng to manage An's household.