Water dragon

Author: Wang Yu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The novel follows the career and emotional journey of sailor Zheng Shuilong, painting a grand historical panorama from the opening of Chongqing to the mid- period. It is substantial and majestic. The author portrays the main character, Zheng Shuilong, from multiple angles, depicting his integrity, kindness, long-term vision, patriotic sentiments, and career aspirations. His unwavering devotion and pursuit of love make him an artistic figure with both distinct individuality and era-specific characteristics. The novel not onlys characters but also explores their fates, making it highly engaging and readable. The characters' survival states and destinies are dynamic and ever-changing, with a plot full of twists and turns, where one crisis follows another. Zheng Shuilong saves a young woman, Shu Mei, from the Yangtze River, and their bond deepens. Shuilong falls in love with Shu Mei, but she elopes with another man. Over a decade, Shuilong searches for Shu Mei, forgiving her transgressions and remaining steadfast in his love, ultimately reuniting with her.
The novel showcases the author's rich historical knowledge in its portrayal of the environment. The Yangtze River serves as the stage for the characters' activities, and the author depicts the development of river transport, the toil of and , passengers, , as well as the ship captains and chief mates. It chronicles the city's growth and opening-up history, presenting the multifaceted faces of modern society: , , , , entrepreneurs, financiers, students, soldiers, and more. It details brothels, teahouses, academies, temples, hotpot restaurants, money changers, and even institutions like the "Huguang Guild Hall" and the "French Military Barracks," as well as Chongqing's "Nine Openings, Eight Closures, and Seventeen Gates" during that era.
This is a book of both literary and aesthetic value, with significant historical depth. Few works of a similar nature delve as deeply into Chongqing's history and culture. The epic novel Shuilong begins with the opening of Chongqing and a shipwreck in the Xiling River. It follows the protagonist, Zheng Shuilong, as he rescues a drowning woman, Shu Mei, and a merchant, Cheng Jingyu, from a sinking ship, weaving a tale of love and conflict. Set against the backdrop of Chongqing's distinctive urban landscape and the Xiling River, the novel vividly portrays the ups and downs and joys and sorrows of life in this ancient city during the late Qing Dynasty and Republican era, amidst turbulent times.
Zheng Shuilong, a self-taught scholar, is born and raised on the Yangtze River. From a to a to a captain, he endures the harshness of nature, extreme weather, and the unpredictability of life. The novel brings to life the moral complexities of numerous characters, including Shu Mei, Cheng Jingyu, the prostitute Zhao Qiang, the second boss Lei Decheng, the Communist Party member Guan Mingcan, the , the warlord-entrepreneur Sun Chengfu, and the bank owner, military commander, and songstress. It extensively depicts the rise and fall of the river transport industry, money changers, banks, silk mills, Dongchuan Academy, Huguang Guild Hall, and French Military Barracks. It also showcases the social, regional, and folk customs of Tianqi Gate, Kuimen Pass, and ancient temples, as well as the bustling streets of the foggy city, the rainy nights of Bashan, and the misty landscapes of the Wujiang River.
The novel offers an incisive portrayal of the spirited and intelligent people. The characters—ship crew members, merchants, citizens, officials, soldiers, and foreigners—step onto the stage one by one, enacting a heart-wrenching story and highlighting the struggles and perseverance of figures like Zheng Shuilong. The novel emphasizes emotional conflicts, showcasing the unwavering patriotic and familial sentiments of the Chinese people. With grand scenes, delicate language, meticulous historical research, unique character personalities, and ingenious artistic composition, the story, interweaves historical details seamlessly, and captivates readers with its vibrant and engaging narrative. It is a passionate, highly readable epic; a bold and majestic work in shaping Chongqing's urban and Xiling River cultures.