Roulin Wai Shi -- Popular Readings in Chinese Classical Literature

Author: Wu Jingzi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features: The author of The Story of the Scholars is Wu Jingzi, a prominent figure during the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns. Wu Jingzi (1701–1754), styled Minxuan and also known as Lìmín, later took the name Wénmù Lǎorén, was from Quanxian, Anhui. Born into a family of distinguished officials across generations, he passed the county-level examination at the age of 18. In the first year of the Qianlong reign (1735), the Anhui Provincial Governor recommended him for the prestigious examination of learned scholars, but he declined on health grounds. Besides The Story of the Scholars, he also wrote The Collected Works of Wénmù Shānfáng. The Story of the Scholars reflects Wu Jingzi's personal experiences and observations, embodying his high moral values of valuing literary merit and integrity while despising fame and wealth. It is a satirical novel and a vivid portrayal of society. As Xingyuan Tuishi remarked, it depicts worldly human nature with such realism that it rivals casting bronze statues to represent things—giving full form to demons and spirits within its pages. Yet it also features several virtuous figures as pillars of society, reviving moral education. When writing about gentlemen, it resembles beholding their noble demeanor and hearing their wise sayings; when writing about petty men, it peels away their souls and captures their mannerisms, achieving what even paintings cannot convey.
The preface to the Wo Nao Cao Tang edition states: "Beware of reading The Story of the Scholars—once you finish, you will find that every aspect of daily life mirrors the novel." This demonstrates that The Story of the Scholars, with its vivid and lifelike prose, accurately reflects society. For this reason, scholars once compared the characters in the book to real historical figures, deducing their artistic prototypes. Some even went to teahouses to experience reality, calling it "revisiting The Story of the Scholars." All this illustrates the success and greatness of The Story of the Scholars.
Due to Wu Jingzi's profound literary cultivation and rich social experience, he was able to delve deeply into the era he portrayed. He refined folk language into simple, humorous, and authentic prose, exposing the corruption and darkness of the imperial examination system, the vulgarity and absurdity of pedantic scholars and fake literati, and the cruelty and despicable behavior of corrupt officials—all with precision. His satire is gentle yet sharp, never descending into vulgarity or exposing the novel to moral decay.
In terms of artistic structure, the novel lacks a central protagonist but unfolds in stages, as Lu Xun aptly described: "Like collecting scattered brocade pieces into a patchwork. Though not a grand tapestry, it occasionally reveals rare gems."