Wild Man's Revelations (Volumes 1, 2, and 3)

Author: Xia Jingqu (Qing Dynasty) / Wen Qiang proofread
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: During the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, it was a period of peak production of long popular novels. Among them, the longest one is this "Yesou Paoyan" by Xia Jingqu. Xia Jingqu, despite having lofty ambitions that were never realized, wrote this extensive text of over one hundred and fifty chapters titled "Yesou Paoyan," describing it as "an old man doing nothing but chatting in the sun." While calling it "chatting in the sun," it was actually a work of vented frustration. It can be said that the author wove his entire life's knowledge and dreams into the novel. Xia Jingqu focused on shaping Wen Suichen, an all-powerful hero. The characters "Wen" and "Bai" combined resemble the character "Xia," clearly reflecting the author's self-portrayal. However, this could only be considered a beautiful dream for an unsuccessful and narrow-minded scholar. Mr. Lu Xun also said, "Using fiction as a tool to store knowledge and literature, with the purpose of admonition but different in application, was pioneered in the Qing Dynasty by 'Yesou Paoyan.'" The novel realistically records the mentality, aspirations, ideals, and pursuits of scholars in the feudal era, providing a unique window for us to understand that time. "Yesou Paoyan" was written by Xia Jingqu in his later years. The novel is set against the backdrop of the Chenghua and Hongzhi reigns of the Ming Dynasty, narrating the heroic achievements of Wen Bai's life. Wen Bai, styled Suichen, is both literary and martial, full of ambition, described as a "truly righteous scholar with great courage, and an ignorant nobleman who does not recognize the changing times" (Chapter 1). Witnessing the abuse of power by eunuchs and the favoritism of monks, as well as the declining state of the nation, he travels the world. Along the way, he subdues the wicked and protects the virtuous, helping the beautiful and talented women Xuan Gu, Su E, and Xiang Ling, who later become his concubines. Upon entering the capital, he cures the emperor and the prince, demonstrating his ability to bring the dead back to life. The crown prince treats him with the respect of a teacher and grants him a position at the Hanlin Academy. Summoned to suppress the Miao rebellion in Guangxi, he achieves great success. Upon hearing of the rebellion of the Prince of Jing in the capital, he immediately rides alone to rescue the crown prince, guards the emperor in the Le Palace of Shandong, and eliminates the rebellious faction. The crown prince ascends the throne, promoting Suichen to the positions of Grand Secretary of the Huagai and Jingshen Palaces, and concurrently serving as Minister of Personnel and War. A princess is also betrothed to him as his left wife. Suichen pacifies the provinces of Zhejiang and Fujian, achieving new merits, and the emperor bestows upon him the title of "Su Father," builds a mansion for him, and assigns his two wives and four concubines to live in six floors. Suichen then fully realizes his ambitions, suppressing Buddhism and Taoism, defeating Japan to the east, pacifying the Mongols to the north, and conquering India to the south, making all Buddhist countries adopt Confucianism. Suichen's descendants flourish, all achieving high positions and wealth. The novel ends with a dream on New Year's Eve, where Suichen's four generations dream together, implying that Suichen should be ranked among the sages, no less important than Han Yu.