Illustrated Picture Book of Chinese Classics, Issue 1 · Seven Heroes and Five Righteous Ones

Author: Li Yufu, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: A fresh approach to telling classic stories, unique illustrations that complement vivid text. Concise and beautiful text that captures the essence of the original, with standard phonetic annotations in line with teaching standards. Original illustrations crafted with artistic skill, taking children on an inspiring journey that will influence them for life. In the novel, the Southern Hero Zhan Zhao served as an imperial guard at Kaifeng Prefecture. Due to his extraordinary skills, he was granted the title of "Imperial Cat" by Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty. However, cats and mice have always been incompatible. Bai Yutang, one of the "Five Mice," was arrogant and resentful of this title. He came to Kaifeng Prefecture, caused chaos in the capital, and engaged in a "cat-mouse battle" with Zhan Zhao. With the help of the other four mice, Bai Yutang was eventually captured. After much persuasion, Bai Yutang went to the capital to apologize and was recommended by Bao Zheng, earning the title of a fourth-rank guard with a sword. Later, when the Prince of Xiangyang conspired to rebel, the imperial envoy Yan Chasa was sent with Bai Yutang to investigate Xiangyang. Bai Yutang, overconfident in his abilities, sneaked into the Shocking Sky Tower at night but was shot through with arrows in the Copper Net Formation. The heroes gathered and rushed to Xiangyang, breaking through the Copper Net Formation and suppressing the rebellion.
Shi Yukun, the compiler of Seven Heroes and Five Righteous Men, was a famous storyteller in the Qing Dynasty. He compiled the Bao Gong Case from the widely circulated Bao Gong stories that had been popular among the people since the Song Dynasty. Later, it was adapted into Three Heroes and Five Righteous Men. The book was further refined and revised by the famous Qing Dynasty scholar Yu Yue, and was eventually renamed Seven Heroes and Five Righteous Men. As a subgenre of popular literature for the common people, chivalrous detective novels flourished during the late Qing Dynasty, and Seven Heroes and Five Righteous Men can be considered one of the most representative works in this genre.
The Phonetic Color Illustration Edition of Chinese Classics is a series of books meticulously drawn and compiled based on the original works, specially dedicated to young readers. The exquisite illustrations by talented artists complement the text perfectly, vividly recreating the rich social life and profound artistic realm of the original. The expressive text, lifelike illustrations, and standard phonetic annotations in line with primary school teaching standards will serve as a bridge for children to understand and appreciate the essence of traditional Chinese culture.