The Temptation of Nanzi

Author: Shi Liang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: This is a collection of seven short historical novels. The protagonists include Confucius, Zhang Liang, the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove," Wu Weiye, the Third Prince of Zhu, Qian Qianyi, Ruan Dachu, Cao Xueqin, and other renowned scholars and literati. Though they lived in different eras, they all faced chaotic times; though they underwent various hardships, they remained steadfast in their ideals. In the face of changing political tides, Confucius traveled from state to state promoting benevolent governance; Zhang Liang attempted to assassinate Emperor Qin Shi Huang at Bolaosi; the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove," such as Ruan Ji, Ji Kang, Xiang Xiu, and Shan Tao, either feigned madness through drink, spoke boldly, or carefully assessed the situation; Wu Weiye reluctantly accepted a high-ranking position with deep concerns; the Third Prince of Zhu wandered aimlessly, merely seeking survival; Qian Qianyi and Ruan Dachu engaged in fierce political rivalry; Cao Xueqin celebrated joy in his novel while the author strove to maintain the true appearances of historical figures, portraying their struggles and frustrations in resisting fate and searching for meaning. Through these stories, one can glimpse the real lives of intellectuals from all social strata during periods of dynastic change, political shifts, and upheavals, such as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the late Qin and early Han, the Wei and Jin era, and the fall of the Ming Dynasty and rise of the Qing Dynasty.