Taowu's Idle Comments (Popular Library of Classical Chinese Fiction)

Author: Anonymous compiled / Jin Xin proofread
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Among the historical novels of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the one with the highest artistic level and most representative is Taowu Xianping. Taowu Xianping, also known as Mingzhu Xiang, primarily depicts the historical story of the Ming eunuch Wei Zhongxian and the wet nurse of the Ming Emperor Xizong, Ke Yin Yue, colluding with each other to seize power and cause chaos. The term "Taowu" originally refers to a mythical (a fearsome beast) or a legendary evil person. In Taowu Xianping, Wei Zhongxian is portrayed as a monstrous evil person who embodies ruffian, villain, and rogue traits. He is cunning, cruel, greedy, and shameless. Starting as an illiterate eunuch, he rises to become the all-powerful imperial censor in charge of the Imperial Secretariat, forming cliques, persecuting his rivals,, and controlling the government. For such a profoundly evil figure, the author does not resort to stereotypical or formulaic characterizations. Instead, he focuses on portraying the characteristics and changes in Wei Zhongxian's personality through the development of events and changes in the environment. At the same time, the author employs reasonable fiction and artistic creation, bringing Wei Zhongxian's character to life in a highly realistic and successful manner. The renowned late Qing literary critic Mr. Wang Zhonglin wrote in A History of Chinese Fiction Throughout the Dynasties: "The depiction of lust in Jin Ping Mei, the portrayal of extravagance in Dream of the Red Chamber, and the depiction of depravity in The Scholars and Taowu Xianping all reach the depths of sorrow, leaving their mark on the paper as if blood were seeping through."