"" and Xuzhou

Author: Li Hongzheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The Golden Lotus is a novel that is very difficult to truly understand. Its writing style is unique, unmatched by any other book to this day; it is filled with hidden meanings and subtle allusions, revealing the complexities of life. The book contains layers of narratives, leaving readers to ponder deeply. Over four centuries, scholars have read and re-read it, vaguely sensing that there is a deeper mystery hidden in its writing. They find it hard to put down, yet also struggle to fully comprehend its intricacies. The author, unfortunately, faced great hardships himself. He aimed to condemn figures like Ximen Qing, who were greedy and lustful. In The Golden Lotus, the author poured out his accumulated frustrations, exposing and criticizing the base and evil actions of adulterers and their partners, ensuring they received the necessary punishment and retribution. Numerous examples in the book prove that the main theme of The Golden Lotus is: opposing lust and greed, resisting the destruction of others' families, and exposing social corruption. The author's depiction of sexual scenes in the book was precisely to expose adultery, allowing the world to truly recognize its base and shamelessness. Could an author who suffered greatly from adultery write a book to promote it? Indeed, The Golden Lotus features antagonists as its main characters, portraying their ugly souls as subjects of literary depiction. This is not because the author wanted to promote negative figures, nor because he held any form of cynicism. Rather, it was only through this artistic approach that he could achieve a powerful impact, fulfill his purpose of opposing lust and greed, and realize his desire to take revenge through his writing. The book showcases this art of depicting ugly souls, achieving a striking artistic effect.