100 Great Classical Chinese Novels - The Complete Edition of Jin Yunqiao's Tale

Author: (Qing) Xiyintang Master, compiled by Qingxin Cai Ren
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1995-05-01
Features: This book is a collection of two legendary novels, "The Complete Story of Erdu Mei" and "The Legend of Jin Yunqiao." "The Complete Story of Erdu Mei" tells the story of the Tang Emperor Xuanzong's era, where the treacherous minister Lu Qi framed the Ministry of Personnel official Mei Kui for allegedly consorting with foreigners, leading to his execution. Lu Qi then attempted to harm Mei Kui's wife and children. The wife and children fled into exile, where their fortunes took a turn for the better. Mei Liangyu, their son, passed the imperial examination and later became a prime minister. The novel unfolds through the open and hidden struggles between loyal ministers like Feng Tianle and the treacherous minister Lu Qi. It ends with the emperor's fairness and justice punishing the villain, while weaving in the tragic and joyful love stories of Mei Liangyu and Chen Xinyuan. The plot is intricate and vivid, with a strong romantic flavor, and was widely circulated among the people. "The Legend of Jin Yunqiao" narrates the tragic life of Wang Cuizhao. Beautiful and talented, Wang Cuizhao made a lifelong promise with the scholar Jin Chong. However, fate took a sudden turn when her family was framed, and to save them, she was tricked into becoming a courtesan and endured severe mistreatment from the madam. Fortunately, she met a kind-hearted scholar who redeemed her and married her as a concubine. Yet, unable to bear the torment of her husband's jealous wife, she escaped only to fall back into the brothel. The bandit Xu Hai fell deeply in love with her, welcomed her with an army, and married her as his wife. Wang Cuizhao, for the sake of the country and its people, persuaded Xu Hai to accept the imperial army's surrender. However, the government broke its promise, betrayed and killed Xu Hai, dishonoring Cuizhao. Wang Cuizhao drowned herself in gratitude for Xu Hai's kindness but was saved. In the end, she reunited with her family and Jin Chong. The story in the novel is based on historical records, with Wang Cuizhao and Xu Hai being real figures. The novel's artistic features are highly prominent and directly influenced the creation of "Dream of the Red Chamber." During the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, the Vietnamese poet Nguyen Du adapted this novel into a long poem titled "The Legend of Jin Yuqiao," which became one of the world's great works.