Mirror Fluctuation (Illustrated Text) (Complete Two Volumes)

Author: Li Ruzhen (Qing Dynasty), illustrated by Li Baomin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The story takes place during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian. On one day when she abolished the Tang Dynasty and established the Zhou Dynasty, a heavy snowfall occurred. Drunk, she issued an edict for all flowers to bloom. Unluckily, the Flower Fairy was out traveling, and the flower deities had no way to consult her. Fearing to defy her imperial decree, they had to bloom anyway. As a result, they broke the heavenly laws, and the Flower Fairy was banished to the mortal world, where she was reborn as the daughter of a scholar, Tang Aojiao. Tang Aojiao was stripped of his official rank due to the treachery of villains and thus accompanied his wife, Lin Ninyang, and the ship's cook, Duo Jiugong, on a sea journey for business. They passed through more than 30 countries, encountering various strange people and customs. This is a mystical and enchanting ancient tale. The novel is vast in scope, covering a wide range of knowledge. It praises the talents of women, fully affirms their social status, and criticizes the feudal notion of male supremacy and the belief that women are useless without talent. The author praises the wisdom and skills of talented women. For example, the palace maid Shangguan Wan'er is described as "extraordinarily knowledgeable," "quick-witted," and "possessing a mind like a brocade and a mouth like pearls." She writes poems swiftly and well, leaving even court officials in awe.