Seven Heroes and Five Righteous Ones

Author: Shi Yanbo et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: The Seven Heroes and Five Righteous Men is a long-winded martial arts novel adapted from the storytelling Dragon Chart Case by Qing Dynasty storyteller Shi Yukun and its written record Dragon Chart Record. It was later revised and renamed by Yu Yue. The novel consists of 120 chapters. The author sets the backdrop in the Northern Song Dynasty when Bao Gong, the Grand Secretary of the Dragon Pavilion, presides over court trials. It focuses on a group of heroes and righteous men who rob the rich to help the poor, aid those in distress, and are loyal to the nation. The plot is intricate, and the structure is tight. Although there is no central event running through the entire story, it revolves around the theme of heroes assisting Bao Gong in solving cases and fighting against the villainous Pang Tai and his son. The book also interweaves many small stories where the upright officials and heroes combat the treacherous and suppress the evil to maintain justice. The most vividly written and successful characters in the novel are the two heroes, Bai Yutang, the "Silk-Tailed Fox," and Zhan Zhao, the "Imperial Cat."
The author portrays Bai Yutang using a shadowy and elusive technique—his voice is heard but his figure is unseen, highlighting his exceptional martial arts skills and his elusive nature as a hero. When depicting the other hero, Zhan Zhao, the author employs a contrastive approach. His personality and demeanor stand in stark contrast to Bai Yutang—one is majestic and composed, while the other is highly skilled and arrogant. Though both are heroes, their characters are vastly different. Through this comparison, their individual images become even more vivid and striking, creating a strong artistic effect.