What is going on (Selected Annotations from "Zi Bu Yu")

Author: Yuan Mei (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Many ghost stories are filled with horror, bloodshed, and violence. However, the ghosts depicted by Yuan Mei, the master of ghost stories in the Qing Dynasty, are diverse and varied. There are ghosts who care about their reputation, those who act pretentiously, those who extort money, those who trick others into eating and drinking, those who put on airs, those who bully the good and fear the strong, bureaucratic ghosts, rogue ghosts, vagrant ghosts, reckless ghosts, greedy ghosts, debtors, foolish ghosts, fortune-telling ghosts, timid ghosts, lustful ghosts, alcoholic ghosts, gambling ghosts, and poor ghosts. They are both mortal and love money, fear loneliness, enjoy lively gatherings, can be satisfied with a single meal for an entire year, need passes to travel to other places, and shatter into pieces if knocked over.
The Analects·The Master Speaks records: "The Master never spoke of the marvelous, the powerful, the chaotic, or the spirits." This means Confucius never discussed things related to the strange, the violent, the chaotic, or the supernatural. However, Yuan Mei, the great talent of the Qing Dynasty, went against this, compiling everything he heard about spirits, monsters, fox spirits, and even extraordinary people and events into a book titled Zi Bu Yu (Unspoken Words), indicating that the content of the book is all related to the marvelous, the powerful, the chaotic, and the supernatural.
After the book Zi Bu Yu was completed, Yuan Mei discovered that a scholar from the Yuan Dynasty had also titled his work Zi Bu Yu. Out of respect for his predecessor, he once changed the title of his book to Xin Qi Xie (New Qi Xie). However, people stillually referred to the work as Zi Bu Yu. Unlike other ghost stories, Yuan Mei's Zi Bu Yu showcases a fresh style. The stories are simple, humorous, yet deeply philosophical, often immersing readers in their charm and bringing a knowing smile. It is suitable for family reading and appreciation.
The Analects·The Master Speaks records: "The Master never spoke of the marvelous, the powerful, the chaotic, or the spirits." This means Confucius never discussed things related to the strange, the violent, the chaotic, or the supernatural. However, Yuan Mei, the great talent of the Qing Dynasty, went against this, compiling everything he heard about spirits, monsters, fox spirits, and even extraordinary people and events into a book titled Zi Bu Yu, indicating that the content of the book is all related to the marvelous, the powerful, the chaotic, and the supernatural.
After the book Zi Bu Yu was completed, Yuan Mei discovered that a scholar from the Yuan Dynasty had also titled his work Zi Bu Yu. Out of respect for his predecessor, he once changed the title of his book to Xin Qi Xie (New Qi Xie). However, people still habitually referred to the work as Zi Bu Yu. Unlike other ghost stories, Yuan Mei's Zi Bu Yu showcases a fresh style. The stories are simple, humorous, yet deeply philosophical, often immersing readers in their charm and bringing a knowing smile. It is suitable for family reading and appreciation.