Salt and vinegar

Author: Tan Zhu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-02-12
Features: Salt is a novel created based on an ancient town in Wuxi, Chongqing Three Gorges. The novel portrays a series of vivid characters and tells their legendary stories. The owner of the Great Salt Kiln, Yang Yangguang, suffers a decline due to flood disasters. The commoner Pu Qinglian, whom he forcibly married, sets fire to the mansion after being framed for burning her lover, dealing him a heavy blow. The boatman Chang Fusheng earns a living by hauling cargo, loves to sing boatman's songs, and struggles to support his wife and children with optimism. He is eventually swallowed by the river while passing through dangerous rapids. The dashing salt merchant Shen Yulin, with a playful bet involving three strikes, marries Zhao Yunzhu, the daughter of the Great Salt Kiln owner Zhao Yuanqing, leading to a feud between Zhao Yuanqing and another salt kiln owner, Zhang Tianlu, who was originally engaged to Zhao Yunzhu. The story also intertwines Shen Yulin's romantic entanglement with the courtesan Yin Hong. While narrating the fates of the characters, the novel weaves in myths and legends, showcasing the mysterious Ba culture; describes the beautiful natural scenery of the Three Gorges; ands the work and life scenes of the salt workers and boatmen, as well as their loves and rivalries, their struggles against natural disasters and fate, reflecting the noble qualities of the Ba people—hardworking, brave, and resilient. Salt is a novel created based on an ancient town in Wuxi, Chongqing Three Gorges. The novel portrays a series of vivid characters and tells their legendary stories.