Awakening World Classic (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: (Ming) Feng Menglong, edited by Zhang Geng, proofread by Zhang Geng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-10-01
Features: In the seventh year of the Ming Emperor Tianqi, A Warning to the World (Xingshi Hengyan) was published by Ye Jingchi, a Suzhou book publisher. With this, the grand publishing project of the "Three Canons" (San Yan), which had been warmly welcomed and eagerly anticipated by readers, was finally completed. Compared to the other two works, A Warning to the World displayed some new characteristics in terms of content and themes, while also achieving greater artistic maturity. Therefore, it became the most widely circulated, influential, and talked-about work among the "Three Canons." In A Warning to the World, Shi Runze's Encounter with Friends at the Tidal Barrier is the most famous piece, showcasing the prosperity of urban and rural commerce and industry in the middle and late Ming Dynasty. In terms of marriage and love themes, Ma Youlang's Exclusive Love for the Beauty stands out as the most brilliant. Other works such as Qian Xuecai's Mistaken Match with the Phoenix, Qiao Taishou's Chaotic Matchmaking of Mandarin Ducks, Zhou Shengxian's Passionate Love at Nanfan Tower, and Su Xiaomei's Three Trials of the New Bride all portray new characters with fresh ideas and morals, bearing distinct marks of their era. A Warning to the World demonstrates a mature artistic level. The characters are vivid and well-developed, with even more distinct personalities; the plot design is more compact and ingenious, reflecting the author's ingenuity; the use of colloquial and lifelike literary language is even more refined and natural, showcasing diverse styles—truly a kaleidoscope of artistry.