Classical Chinese Literature Masterpieces - Timeless Treasures (Second Series) (Second Series)

Author: None
Publisher: China Literature Publishing House
Publication Date: None
Features: The text is printed on 60g cream coated paper, in six volumes, "Three Tales" by Ming Dynasty's Feng Menglong. It is the first large-scale vernacular short story collection in the history of ancient Chinese literature. It marks the transition from oral art to written form in the development of vernacular short stories in China. As an outstanding vernacular short story collection of the Ming Dynasty, it is renowned alongside "Two Records" as the representative of urban literature in the Ming Dynasty, pioneering a new realm for Chinese fiction. The book's impact on challenging traditional values is comparable to "The Decameron" during Europe's Renaissance. Feng Menglong (1574-1646), styled Youlong, was also known as the owner of Mihanzhai Studio. He was a famous novelist in the late Ming Dynasty. "Three Tales" is rich in content, including stories reflecting love and marriage, critiques of feudal officials and exposes of corrupt governance, as well as praise for loyalty and chivalry and condemnation of ungratefulness. The plots are bizarre and intricate, the characters are vivid, and the stories are filled with charm.
"Two Records" by Ming Dynasty's Ling Mengchu is a shocking and unconventional short story collection. Ling Mengchu (1580-1644), styled Xuanfang, was also known as the master of Kongguan Studio. He was a novelist and playwright in the late Ming Dynasty. "Two Records" was almost entirely composed by Ling Mengchu, marking the transition of vernacular fiction in China from folk creation to literary creation. The collection includes many love and marriage stories among men and women, reflecting the demands for freedom and democracy from the urban middle class in opposition to feudal ethics and the concept of chastity in marriage.
"Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" by Qing Dynasty's Pu Songling is a giant peak in the history of Chinese classical prose fiction. Through the fantastical world of ghosts and foxes, it reflects the beauty and ugliness of human nature. Pu Flowering (1640-1715), styled Liuxian, was also known as Willow Spring Studio's Resident. He was a famous scholar in the early Qing Dynasty. The prose short story collection "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" covers all aspects of society, exposing the corruption and darkness of the officialdom at that time, critiquing the flaws of the imperial examination system, and praising the pursuit of independent marriage by young men and women in defiance of feudal rituals. Pu Songling employed romanticism in his writing, "using the techniques of romance to record strange tales" and "expressing his frustrations." The plots are bizarre, the descriptions are meticulous, and the narration is well-organized.
"The Story of a Heroic and Romantic Daughter" by Qing Dynasty's Wen Kang is governed by the Tao of Heaven, guided by human morality, and driven by the principles of nature and emotion, with heroic sons and daughters as its theme. It is the earliest long novel that blends martial chivalry with tender emotions. Wen Kang (c. 1796-1865), surnamed Fei and named Mo, styled Tie Xian, was a Manchu from the Jinshan Hui Banner. The novel tells the story of He Yufeng (the martial heroine, "Thirteen Sisters") avenging her father, seeking refuge in a foreign land, venturing in the markets, practicing martial arts, accidentally meeting An Ji, and eventually marrying both Jin Fengfeng and An Ji, tying a golden and jade bond. It portrays a female character who is no less heroic than men yet retains feminine tenderness. The book adopts the form of narrative stories, which are lively, and uses Beijing dialect, making the language vivid and fluid.
"Truth About Officialdom" by Qing Dynasty's Li Baojia is a book that curses officialdom from beginning to end. — Hu Shi Li Baojia (1867-1907), styled Boyuan, was also known as the Long Pavilion Master of Nanjing. He was a novelist in modern China. "Truth About Officialdom" exposes the late Qing officialdom with a tone of mockery and scathing criticism, severely denouncing the corruption and bribery of late Qing officials, revealing the darkness of feudal governance, and depicting a broad picture of social life. This novel gradually led to the climax of late Qing satirical fiction.
"The Journey of Old Man Zan" by Qing Dynasty's Liu E is a masterpiece created by the leading writer in the late Qing Dynasty. — Li Huaiwu Liu E (1857-1909) was a modern novelist, styled Tieyun, and also known as Hongdu White Refining Life. He was from Dantu (now Zhenjiang) in Jiangsu. "The Journey of Old Man Zan" reflects the vivid late Qing society through the observations, actions, and experiences of a traveling quack doctor. The moonlit scenery of Peach Blossom Mountain is as clear and refreshing as the mountains and waters of Daming Lake. The description of Wang Xiaowu singing the dizi is skillfully executed, using atmosphere and metaphors to create a masterpiece.
"The Scholars" by Qing Dynasty's Wu Jingzi is a classic of satirical fiction and has a profound influence on late Qing satirical fiction and Lu Xun's essays. Wu Jingzi (1701-1754), styled Minxuan, was later known as the Literary Wood Elder, and was from Quanjiao County, Anhui. He was a famous literary figure in the Qing Dynasty. His masterpiece "The Scholars" is a renowned long satirical novel in the history of Chinese literature. The entire book targets the entire feudal society as its critique, with different types of feudal intellectuals as its focus. Through the depiction and analysis of their lives and minds, it portrays the ugly images of a group of scholars, reaching the peak of satirical art in classical Chinese literature.
"The Flowers of the Sea" by Qing Dynasty's Zeng Pu is a novel that widely reflects the social life of the time, exposing the corruption and decline of late Qing rule, and praising Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary uprising. Zeng Pu (1872-1935), styled Mengpu, was also known as Ming Shan and had the pen name "Eastern Asia's Patient." He was from Changshu in Jiangsu. "The Flowers of the Sea" follows the story of Jin Wenqing and Fu Caicun, interspersed with the anecdotes and tales of late Qing officials and scholars, exposing the decline of the upper feudal ruling class in the late Qing era. The novel praises the anti-war heroes like Feng Zicai and Liu Yongfu, admires Sun Yat-sen, and shows sympathy for the activities of revolutionaries, reflecting progressive ideological tendencies. The work draws on the writing techniques of Western European literature, "structurally refined and rich in literary charm."