Roulin Wai Shi (1-2) - Fragrant Letter

Author: Wu Jingzi (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: ▼Complete Content ▼Sandalwood Aroma ▼Compact and Portable ▼Original Illustrations ▼Take it Anywhere
The author of The Story of the Scholars is Wu Jingzi, a prominent figure during the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns. Wu Jingzi (1701–1754), styled Minxuan and also known as Lìmín, styled Wénmù Lǎorén in his later years, was from Quanxian, Anhui. Born into a family of distinguished officials across generations, he passed the county-level examination at the age of 18. In 1735 (the first year of the Qianlong reign), the Governor of Anhui recommended him for the prestigious imperial examination for scholars, but he declined on health grounds. In addition to The Story of the Scholars, he also wrote The Collected Works of Wénmù Shānfáng.
The Story of the Scholars reflects Wu Jingzi's personal experiences and observations, embodying his high moral principles—valuing literary integrity and despising worldly ambitions and wealth. As the foundational work of satirical fiction, it achieved unparalleled artistic heights, instantly becoming a classic of satirical literature and revered as the "forefather of Chinese satirical novels." The work distills Wu Jingzi's lifelong observations and reflections, focusing on the spiritual disposition, life paths, and historical fate of intellectuals, thereby touching upon contemporary governance, education, and even the imperial examination system.
The intellectual and artistic achievements of The Story of the Scholars made it highly influential in its time. As Xingyuan Tuishi remarked, it vividly portrays the worldly and human conditions, as if casting bronze Tripitakas to depict spirits—every ghost and goblin is revealed within its pages. Yet it also features several virtuous figures who uphold moral integrity and revitalize societal values. In depicting gentlemen, it resembles beholding a sage's dignified demeanor and hearing profound maxims; in portraying villains, it delves into their souls, capturing their mannerisms and voices—where painting falls short, the brush excels.
The Wònàocǎotáng edition of The Story of the Scholars is quoted as saying, "Beware of reading The Story of the Scholars—once you do, you will find that every aspect of daily life reflects it." This demonstrates how vividly the novel mirrors society. Consequently, scholars once compared its characters to real historical figures, deducing their artistic prototypes. Others even visited teahouses to experience reality, calling it "revisiting The Story of the Scholars." All this underscores the novel's success and greatness.
Wu Jingzi's profound literary cultivation and rich social experience allowed him to delve deeply into his era. He refined folk language into simple, humorous, and authentic prose, exposing the corruption and darkness of the imperial examination system, the vulgarity and absurdity of pedantic scholars and fake literati, and the cruelty and despicable nature of corrupt officials—all with precision. His satire is witty yet restrained, avoiding moral degradation or excessive vulgarity.
In terms of artistic structure, the novel lacks a central protagonist but unfolds in stages, as Lu Xun described: "Like assembling scattered brocade scraps into a patchwork album. Though not grand, it occasionally reveals rare gems." This structure greatly influenced late Qing fiction, such as The Story of the Scholars in Shanghai and The Real Story of Officialdom, both of which imitated The Story of the Scholars.