Shadow play. Red curtain.

Author: Yin Yun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-06-01
Features: The novel Black Curtain · Red Curtain is a corruption-themed work created based on a major smuggling case in a southern part of the country that gained national fame. The story begins when Hong Xie Party, the acting director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, discovers significant economic crimes committed by former director Jin Yao in handling Hong Kong visas and infrastructure projects while overseeing the bureau's work. Hong initiates a secret investigation, but upon learning of this, Jin subjects Hong to "dual regulation" and suspends him from duty. For a time, evil forces seize the upper hand. After returning from the Central Party School, Jin is promoted to Deputy Mayor and Secretary of the Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Commission, where he launches even more ruthless persecution and attacks against Hong and others. Under the manipulation of Xiao San, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Jin engages in large-scale selling of official positions. The story unfolds along three main threads:
1. Xiao San's and artist Yang Tingting's sexual and power entanglement, amassing vast wealth;
2. Jin Yao's illicit relationship with 17-year-old Wang Li, a woman completely lost in a world of lust and materialism;
3. The righteous forces led by Hong Xie Party, which gather journalists Yun Ying (an internal reference reporter from a central news agency), Hua Zheng (director of the municipal bureau's office), and female singer Bai Ying, among others. Behind the black curtain intertwine the customs' complicity in smuggling, the ambiguous relationship between the customs chief and the charming Hong Kong businesswoman, as well as the infiltration of evil forces into society—all of which are appalling. Under the correct leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee intervenes personally, and a working group from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection is dispatched to investigate, ultimately uncovering the layers of darkness and defeating the evil forces.
[Editor's Recommendation] Jin Yao and Wang Li play a game of love and, while Xiao San and Yang Tingting are a frenzied depiction of lust. A woman is a play for herself—Wang Li is entangled in a woman's vanity and fragile self-esteem, while Tingting embodies the extreme possession of power and money. The novel vividly portrays the corruption and decline of an evil crime group along these two main threads, leading to its eventual downfall. Life may be full of glamour and luxury, but a bitter cup of tea might be a truer reflection of reality; while sexual passion may bring exquisite and supreme pleasure, excessive greed may lead to the end of life.