Four Great Classical Novels -- Popular Library of Classical Classics (Complete Four Volumes)

Author: Wu Cheng'en and others
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-12-01
Features: Dream of the Red Chamber follows the tragic love story between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, depicting the decline of a noble family from prosperity to ruin. The work offers a profound critique of feudal society, including the darkness of the imperial court and bureaucracy, the corruption of the feudal aristocracy and their families, the feudal imperial examination system, marriage system, and hierarchy, as well as the corresponding social governance ideology and moral concepts. It also proposes a preliminary democratic ideal for society. Water Margin, also known as Outlaws of the Marsh, is a long novel. The author created this work based on Remnants of the Northern Song Dynasty and related storytelling texts. The entire book primarily depicts peasant wars, shaping heroic characters like Li Kui, Wu Song, and Lin Chong, exposing the cruelty and corruption of the feudal ruling class, and revealing the social contradictions of the time. Written in vernacular Chinese, the language is vivid and lively, with character portrayals, achieving a high level of artistic excellence and serving as a milestone in Chinese vernacular literature, with profound significance. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is one of China's most accomplished historical novels, artistically recreating nearly a century of historical turmoil and grandeur from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the unification of the Western Jin Dynasty. Through a concentrated depiction of the political, military, and diplomatic struggles among the ruling groups during the Three Kingdoms period, the work reveals the turmoil and darkness of the late Eastern Han Dynasty, reflects the suffering of the people, and expresses their strong desire for a wise ruler and stability. Journey to the West primarily depicts the story of Sun Wukong protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey westward to obtain Buddhist scriptures, enduring ninety-nine and one trials. The journey of Tang Sanzang to obtain scriptures was a real historical event. Approximately 1,300 years ago, in the first year of the Zhenguan era (627), the young monk Xuanzang, at the age of 25, left the capital Chang'an alone to study in India (Tianzhu). After departing from Chang'an, he passed through Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, overcoming numerous difficulties and finally reaching India. There, he studied for over two years and was praised as a speaker at a major Buddhist textual debate. In the 19th year of the Zhenguan era (645), Xuanzang returned to Chang'an, bringing back 657 Buddhist scriptures. This journey to the West lasted nineteen years and covered tens of thousands of miles, a legendary long march that caused a sensation at the time. Later, Xuanzang dictated his travels to the West, which were compiled by his disciple Bianji into the Record of the Western Regions During the Great Tang Dynasty in twelve volumes. However, this book mainly described the history, geography, and transportation of the countries along the way, with little narrative. Later, his disciples Huili and Yancong wrote the Biography of the Venerable Master Xuanzang of the Great Tang's Daci'en Temple, which added many mythological elements to Xuanzang's experiences. From then on, the story of Tang Sanzang obtaining scriptures began to spread widely among the people. During the Southern Song Dynasty, there was The Poetic Account of Tang Sanzang Obtaining Scriptures, and in the Jin Dynasty, there were Tang Sanzang and The Peach Blossom Banquet in the palace drama. In the Yuan Dynasty, there were Wu Changling's Tang Sanzang's Journey West and an anonymous The God Erlang Locks Sun Wukong, all of which laid the foundation for the creation of Journey to the West. Wu Cheng'en, styled Ruzhong and known as Sheyang Mountain Man, was from Shanyang in Huai'an Prefecture (now Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province). He was born around the period between the 13th year of the Hongzhi era and the early Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1500–1510) and died around the 10th year of the Wanli era (1582). Xuanzang's great-grandfather and grandfather were scholars who served as instructors and teachers in county schools. However, by the time of his father Wu Rui, due to poverty, he was adopted into the Xu family and "inherited Xu's business, sitting in the shop," becoming a small merchant. Despite this, the Wu family maintained its tradition of scholarship. It is said that Wu Rui, though a merchant, was not only upright but also loved reading and discussing current affairs, which naturally had a significant influence on Wu Cheng'en. Wu Cheng'en was very intelligent from a young age and entered school early, achieving success in his youth and gaining a reputation in his hometown.