Quick Read Version: The Four Great Classical Novels of China

Author: (Ming) Luo Guanzhong et al. / edited by Lü Yang et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: The story of Water Margin takes place in the late Northern Song Dynasty, where internal and external troubles plagued the country: the emperor was incompetent, corrupt officials held power, the court was corrupt, the people were impoverished, and the northern Liao Kingdom continuously invaded, capturing cities, burning, killing, and looting, causing immense suffering to people of all social classes. The desperate populace was forced onto Mount Liang, resorting to rebellion. These rebels, from all walks of life, included the lower classes such as poor peasants, fishermen, beggars, jailers, soldiers, and servants, as well as officers, literati, nobles, and wealthy merchants. Song Jiang, a county official by birth, became their leader. He was known for his chivalry and compassion, helping those in need. The heroes of the world called him "Jisi" ( ), and he was elected their leader. Under his influence, a rebel army of tens of thousands, led by the "36 Heavenly Spirits" and the "72 Earthly Fiends," gathered at Mount Liang's Zongyi Hall under the banner of "Upholding Heaven's Way," resisting government suppression, eliminating corrupt officials, aiding the poor, and upholding justice, making the villains tremble in fear. However, guided by the Confucian ideal of loyalty to the throne, they accepted the government's amnesty. They fought against the Liao invasion, earning merits for the state. Yet when they turned against Fang La's rebel forces, which were also rebellious, though they achieved a final military victory and eliminated the government's greatest threat, they suffered heavy casualties among their brothers. The remaining leaders were betrayed and killed by treacherous officials. The generation of Water Margin heroes ultimately disbanded, their spirits gathering at Lao'erwa, amidst the vast waters that had witnessed the rise and fall of seasons, silhouetted against the setting sun, their fate a silent, heartbroken end.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the court was corrupt and dark, plagued by disasters, and the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out. In suppressing the rebellion, warlords such as Ma Teng, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Lü Bu, Liu Biao, and Sun Ce fought for dominance, each controlling their territories. After numerous wars and mergers, a tripartite division emerged: Cao Cao ruled the north, Liu Bei the west, and Sun Quan the east. The three factions engaged in strategic battles and alliances, with complex conflicts, but the main struggle was between Wei and Shu, vividly portrayed through the intense rivalry between Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi. Eventually, Zhuge Liang died from exhaustion, and Wei conquered Shu. Sima Zhao usurped the Wei throne, established the Jin Dynasty, and conquered Wu, bringing the empire back under unified rule.
Dream of the Red Chamber The Jia family of Jinling, inheritors of the titles of Rongguo Gong and Ningguo Gong, had been illustrious for nearly a century. During this time, a son named Baoyu was born, destined to be a jade-born prince. By the age of his teens, he was handsome, talented, and deeply loved by his grandmother, Grandmother Jia, and his mother, Lady Wang. However, Baoyu despised worldly affairs and scorned fame and fortune. Despite his father, Jia Zheng,'s strict discipline and beatings, he remained unchanged. His cousin, Lin Daiyu, was beautiful, intelligent, and sensitive. Orphaned at a young age, she entered the Jia household and formed a deep bond with Baoyu. At the same time, Lady Wang's sister, Xue Baochai, also resided in the mansion. Baochai was skilled in household affairs and was well-liked by all. When the eldest daughter of the emperor, Empress Yuan, visited the mansion, the Jia family spent a fortune building the Grand View Garden. Baoyu spent his days among the sisters and maids, composing poetry and feasting in great joy. However, the two households lived in luxury and excess, indulging in corruption, exploiting the people, and exercising arbitrary power, all while scheming against one another, leading to moral decay and even the sacrifice of lives for personal gain. Thus, Baoyu and Daiyu's rebellious nature and their idealistic pursuit of love stood in stark contrast to the family's values, making them unacceptable. Taking advantage of Baoyu's collapse after losing his jade pendant, his aunt, Lady Wang Xifeng, proposed the "swap" plan. Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang replaced Baoyu with Baochai, forcing him to marry her, leading to Daiyu's heartbroken death. Later, Empress Yuan passed away, the Jia family lost favor, was stripped of its title, confiscated, and robbed. Baoyu's close sisters and maids either married far away, died young, became nuns, or were driven out. Grandmother Jia and Lady Xifeng died of sorrow. "When false appears as true, true becomes false; when nothing seems to be, it is really there." Baoyu came to see the futility of life and, after passing the imperial examination, followed a monk and an immortal, forever leaving the Jia household.
Journey to the West After Pangu separated heaven from earth, the Three Sovereigns ruled and the Five Emperors established order, dividing the world into four great continents: Dongsheng Shenzhou (East), Xiniu Heyzhou (West), Nanzhanbu Zhou (South), and Beijulu Zhou (North). One day, the Buddha gathered all Buddhas, Arhats, Jieyi, Bodhisattvas, Dharma Protectors, monks, and nuns at the Thunder Monastery on Lingyuan Mountain to preach. He spoke of the virtues and vices of the people on the four continents, expressing concern over the people of Nanzhanbu Zhou, who were lustful, cruel, and prone to killing and strife, fearing they would fall into eternal damnation. He mentioned the Sutra of the Three Jewels, which could guide people toward goodness, but it could only be obtained by a wise and pious person who endured countless hardships and traveled vast distances. The Tang monk and his disciples overcame eighty-one trials to obtain the true scriptures, defeating demons and monsters along the way, ultimately achieving enlightenment.
This book vividly portrays Sun Wukong, a literary figure of immense power and deep popularity. He battled demons and monsters, enduring great hardships to protect the Tang monk on his journey westward, finally achieving Buddhahood. Journey to the West is China's longest mythological epic.