Zen True History

Author: Fang Ruhao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-01-01
Features: Zen True History: Full title is "New Engraved and Criticized Popular Martial Chuan Zhen Yi Shi," also known as "Remnants of the Liang Dynasty" and "Complete Story of Miaoxiang Temple." According to the ancient novel expert Sun Jiqi, the author should be Fang Ruhao, a person from the late Ming Dynasty, but little is known about his life. The entire book is set against the historical backdrop of the rise and fall of various dynasties from the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Sui and Tang dynasties, with the life stories of the main character Lin Shimao and his high disciples Du Fugui, Xue Ju, and Zhang Shanshang as the main thread, exposing the flaws in the Buddhist and Taoist sects, as well as the darkness of the mortal world. At the same time, it promotes the essence of Taoism and praises the noble virtues of the heroic Chuan Zhen figures. The novel blends historical romance and heroic legends, interspersed with various styles of magical and humanistic fiction, demonstrating great artistic charm and mastery of language. The book was repeatedly banned during the Daoguang and Tongzhi reigns.