Student Edition Classics of Ancient Literature - First Series

Author: Shi Taikun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: In the long course of Chinese historical development, classical literature—especially fiction—has a long-standing tradition and has achieved remarkable literary accomplishments. Its rich connotations and diverse expressions continue to educate a vast readership, inspiring them to love their country and nation, uphold justice, and oppose evil, thereby exerting a subtle and gradual educational influence.
Starting from the reading interests and characteristics of primary and secondary school students, the selection criteria for Student Edition of Classical Chinese Literary Masterpieces are to ensure that recognized ancient literary masterpieces are not omitted while the included ancient stories are engaging and captivating. To facilitate the acquisition and borrowing of these books by school libraries and the reading of primary and secondary school students, the Student Edition of Classical Chinese Literary Masterpieces features a design that is student-friendly.
During the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, a highly skilled storytelling and singing artist named Shi Yukun came to Beijing. His performance of "Bao Gong Case" was rich in content, brilliant, and immensely popular in the city. Someone recorded Shi Yukun's storytelling, transcribed and adapted it, compiling it into a 120-capter work titled Loyal and Righteous Heroes, also known as Three Heroes and Five Righteous Men. The late Qing scholar Yu Yue praised its passionate and expressive yet delicately nuanced writing, exclaiming, "Only with such writing can one truly call it Pinghua fiction; only with such Pinghua fiction can one consider it a unique form of literary artistry in the world." Lu Xun admired the wise and brave heroes in the novel, commenting, "Among the grass-root heroes, they radiate an extraordinary spirit. Occasionally, they are contrasted with worldly affairs, interspersed with humor, often adding an extra touch of brilliance to the rough and tumble."
Plot Summary: During the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, severe drought struck Chenzhou in Henan Province. Bao Zheng was dispatched by imperial decree to Chenzhou to distribute grain and provide relief. The tyrannical local bully Pang Yu, relying on his status as a member of the imperial family, sent men to assassinate Bao Zheng. The Southern Hero Zhan Zhao, the Skillful Rat Bai Yutang, the elderly recluse Yan Ziduo, and others secretly protected and assisted Bao Zheng, enabling him to execute the imperial uncle with a sword and restore justice. Subsequently, Bao Zheng also uncovered the long-standing imperial injustice of the "Lion Cub Swapping the Prince," bringing Emperor Renzong and Empress Li together as mother and son. Renzong enfeoffed the Southern Hero Zhan Zhao as the Imperial Cat. The Skillful Rat Bai Yutang was deeply resentful and repeatedly provoked trouble, constantly tormenting Zhan Zhao, but was ultimately won over by his magnanimity, sincerity, and exceptional martial arts skills, eventually submitting to Kaifeng Prefecture.
Later, the Southern Hero, the Five Rats, the Northern Hero Ouyang Chun, the Black Fox Zhi Hua, and other heroes selflessly risked their lives to assist the Imperial Commissioner Yan San in eliminating the followers of the rebellious Prince of Xiangyang. Bai Yutang, but the heroes ultimately suppressed the rebellion at Junshan, laying the foundation for the future eradication of the Xiangyang Rebellion.