Perspectives on Ming Dynasty Novels: Proceedings of the International Academic Conference on Ming Dynasty Novels

Author: Author Country: China
Editor: Gu Meigao / Huang Lin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-09-01
Features: The Ming Dynasty was a period of culmination in the art of Chinese fiction, with works like Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, Journey to the West, Golden Lotus, and Feng Menglong's Three Words and Two Captures and History of Love being outstanding achievements of that era. This book collects nineteen papers from the international academic conference on Ming Dynasty fiction, aiming not for comprehensiveness but for the inclusion of insightful perspectives. Excerpt: Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Lu Bu / Gu Meigao
I. Preface Romance of the Three Kingdoms depicts approximately one hundred years of history from the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty (184 AD) to the first year of Emperor Taikang of the Jin Dynasty (280 AD). It draws its creative material from historical facts related to Zizhi Tongjian, thus establishing the tone of Zizhi Tongjian—particularly its heroism—as the foundation for Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Although the author of Romance of the Three Kingdoms leans more toward Confucianism, this does not entirely alter the balanced perspective of Zizhi Tongjian on the late Han and Three Kingdoms period. Modern scholar Yang Yaokun, in his Biography of Chen Shou, discusses the heroic historical view of the Three Kingdoms by citing the commentary on Wei Shu·Wu Emperor Ji as follows: In the late Han, chaos reigned, and powerful figures rose. Yuan Shao, with his fierce gaze upon Sichuan, was unmatched in strength. The Grand Tutor (Cao Cao) devised strategies, subjugated the realm, and employed the methods of Shen and Shang, incorporating the unconventional tactics of Han and Bai. He assigned talents to their respective roles, forgave past grievances, and ultimately mastered the imperial authority, achieving great success—all due to his exceptional wisdom. Truly, he was an extraordinary individual, a peer beyond the ordinary! Yang uses this passage to illustrate Chen Shou's heroic historical view. Indeed, figures like Cao Cao, who mastered the methods of the Legalist Shen and Shang, "acted with calculated cunning," prioritizing means over morality to achieve their goals—such could be considered heroes. This demonstrates the weak moral standards of that era. Modern scholar Shao Yanyang, in Speaking of History Beyond History, once remarked: (In pre-Qin China), the so-called heroes often bore a rustic and brutal air. European heroes were not vegetarian either. Later, the term "hero" acquired extended meanings, with varying interpretations. Thus, not only those who wielded the power to kill but also those who were sacrificed could be deemed heroes. This definition will help us understand the heroes in the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, especially Lu Bu, whom this article will explore.
As is well known, Lu Bu was a major figure in both history and the novel, his name and deeds frequently appearing in the first nineteen chapters of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. People called Lu Bu a hero, primarily because they revered "power"—especially in turbulent times, whoever could conquer cities and expand territories was considered a hero. Lu Bu was extraordinarily brave yet cruel, an accomplice to tyranny, and stained with bloodshed. Additionally, he was ungrateful and morally reprehensible, yet these flaws were overshadowed by his heroic prowess. When evaluating Lu Bu, the tragic figure in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, we should measure him by the standards of his time.