What's going on: An Annotated Selection from "Zi Bu Yu"

Author: Yuan Mei (Qing) / Wang Ai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Many ghost stories are filled with horror, bloodshed, and violence. However, the ghosts depicted by Yuan Mei, the master of ghost stories in the Qing Dynasty, are diverse and varied. There are ghosts who care about their reputation, those who act pretentiously, those who extort money, those who trick people into eating and drinking, those who put on airs, those who bully the good and fear the strong, bureaucratic ghosts, rogue ghosts, vagrant ghosts, reckless ghosts, greedy ghosts, debtors, foolish ghosts, fortune-telling ghosts, timid ghosts, lustful ghosts, alcoholic ghosts, gambling ghosts, and poor ghosts. They are both mortal and love money, fear loneliness, enjoy lively company, can be satisfied with a single meal for an entire year, need passes to travel to other places, and shatter into pieces if knocked over.
The Analects·The Master Speaks records: "The Master never speaks of strange things, force, chaos, or spirits." This means Confucius never discussed things related to the strange, forceful, chaotic, or supernatural. However, Yuan Mei, the great talent of the Qing Dynasty, went against this, compiling everything he heard about spirits, monsters, fox spirits, and even extraordinary people and events into a book titled Zi Bu Yu (Unspoken Words). This title signifies that the book's content is all about the strange, forceful, chaotic, and supernatural.
After Zi Bu Yu was published, Yuan Mei discovered that a literati from the Yuan Dynasty had also titled his work Zi Bu Yu. Out of respect for his predecessor, he once changed the title of his book to Xin Qi Xie (New Strange Tales). However, people stillually referred to his work as Zi Bu Yu. Unlike other ghost stories, Yuan Mei's Zi Bu Yu exhibits a fresh style. The stories are popular, humorous, yet deeply philosophical, often immersing readers in their charm and bringing a knowing smile. It is suitable for family reading and appreciation.
The Analects·The Master Speaks records: "The Master never speaks of strange things, force, chaos, or spirits." This means Confucius never discussed things related to the strange, forceful, chaotic, or supernatural. However, Yuan Mei, the great talent of the Qing Dynasty, went against this, compiling everything he heard about spirits, monsters, fox spirits, and even extraordinary people and events into a book titled Zi Bu Yu (Unspoken Words). This title signifies that the book's content is all about the strange, forceful, chaotic, and supernatural.
After Zi Bu Yu was published, Yuan Mei discovered that a literati from the Yuan Dynasty had also titled his work Zi Bu Yu. Out of respect for his predecessor, he once changed the title of his book to Xin Qi Xie (New Strange Tales). However, people still habitually referred to his work as Zi Bu Yu. Unlike other ghost stories, Yuan Mei's Zi Bu Yu exhibits a fresh style. The stories are popular, humorous, yet deeply philosophical, often immersing readers in their charm and bringing a knowing smile. It is suitable for family reading and appreciation.