The Complete Annotations by Shi Yan Zhai on "Dream of the Red Chamber" (Volume 1 & 2)

Author: Cao Xueqin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-07
Features: "The Qi Sequence Copy" is a manuscript copy formed based on the handwritten draft left by Cao Xueqin before his death. This book is the first in history to use the "Qi Sequence Copy" as the base text and early "Stone Story" manuscripts as reference for collation, and it includes all the annotations by Shi Yanzhai. It is an 80-chapter version of "The Stone Story," a new edition of "Dream of the Red Chamber," and a book for studying "Dream of the Red Chamber." The Qi Sequence Copy has been recognized by some insightful scholars. Mr. Lu Xun's "History of Chinese Fiction" quotes the original text of "Dream of the Red Chamber" entirely from the "Qi Sequence Copy." Mr. Zhou Ruchang said, "The Qi Copy is exquisite and very clear." Cao Xueqin left behind an 80-chapter "Stone Story" with Shi Yanzhai's annotations. Although this book appears incomplete, it already reveals the main plot and ending of the later chapters in the first 80 chapters, forming a complete story. What sets "The Stone Story" apart from other works is that the author only left behind some clues, hidden words, and annotations for the later chapters, allowing readers to think and complete the story themselves. Due to this feature of "The Stone Story," two phenomena have emerged:
First, the phenomenon of continuations: The later 40 chapters of the currently circulated 120-chapter "Dream of the Red Chamber" were added by later scholars. It was once mistakenly believed that they were written by Gao E, but in fact, Gao E was a reviser, not a continuation writer. To this day, the author of the continuations remains unknown—it is an anonymous work. Apart from this version, other continuations have also appeared later.
Second, the phenomenon of exploration: Since the existing continuations, especially those by Gao E, are widely circulated but do not align with Cao Xueqin's original intent, researchers have eagerly explored the structure, plot, and ending of the later chapters of "The Stone Story," gradually forming a field of "deep exploration studies." In this regard, scholars such as Yu Pingbo, Zhou Ruchang, Liang Guizhi, and Wang Guohua have made significant efforts.
How should we view these phenomena? Continuations are unnecessary. Since the author already cut off the later chapters, others adding to them is a waste of effort and goes against the author's original intent. However, exploration should be encouraged—since there are missing parts, they should be explored. The 80-chapter version of "The Stone Story" contains both sides: on the one hand, it seems incomplete, but in reality, it is already a complete novel; on the other hand, it hides a piece of real history. How to uncover this hidden history is the task of "seeking"; how to complete the story of the later chapters requires "exploration."