Rulin Wai Shi - (Illustrated Edition)

Author: Wu Jingzi / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-09-01
Features: The Story of Kuang Xiucai is an adaptation of Wu Jingzi's The Story of the Scholars from the Qing Dynasty, a great anti-feudal realistic masterpiece in Chinese classical literature. This comic book is based on a segment of the story. The narrative depicts a poor young man named Kuang Chaojun, who was originally honest, hardworking, and filial to his parents. After passing the county-level examination, he meets many fraudulent scholars and the corrupt official Pan San, and under their influence, he gradually transforms into a heartless, greedy, and hypocritical person. Through this story, it reflects the harm caused by the imperial examination system to people while exposing the shamelessness of the scholar-official class who forget their principles for profit.
The Story of Fan Jin Passing the Examination is an adaptation of Wu Jingzi's The Story of the Scholars from the Qing Dynasty, a great anti-feudal realistic masterpiece in Chinese classical literature. This comic book is based on a segment of the story. The narrative depicts Zhou Jin and Fan Jin, who took the county-level examination from their youth until they were white-haired. When Zhou Jin visited the examination hall, he saw the two wooden tablets for candidates and was deeply moved, even fainting from emotion. Later, Zhou Jin passed the provincial examination, and the local gentry erected a (immortal longevity plaque) for him. His former mocking friend Mei Jiu also pretended to be his student in front of others. After Fan Jin passed the examination, he became so ecstatic that he went mad. His former (father-in-law), who had cursed him mercilessly, immediately changed his tune and called him "Lord." Some fawning sycophants even sent him land and property. Through these two characters, the book powerfully criticizes the imperial examination system that dominated the feudal society and sharply satirizes the scholars who were utterly obsessed with it.