A laughing matter and a crying matter

Author: Zhang Henshuizhu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Zhang Henshuiz's novels blend the ordinary with the refined, the elegant with the amusing, and are thought-provoking and captivating. They have had a profound impact on society and readers. His works are not only worth rereading and appreciating but also worth learning from, referencing, and inheriting. For this reason, our publishing house has invited relevant experts and scholars to deliberate and meticulously selected and compiled a collection of Zhang Henshuiz's finest novels, publishing them all at once to delight readers.
The story depicts young scholar Fan Jiashu visiting Beijing's Tianqiao when he meets martial artist Guan Shoufeng and his daughter Guan Xiugu. He also falls in love at first sight with Shen Fengxi, a tianqiao artist at the Temple of Heaven. His cousin then arranges a marriage between him and He Lina, the daughter of the Minister of Finance. Later, warlord General Liu seizes Shen Fengxi, and Guan Xiugu disguises herself as a maid to infiltrate Liu's mansion, luring him to the Xishan Jile Temple to assassinate He Lina. Initially, she indulges in pleasure after her failure, but later becomes a Buddhist, eating vegetarian food and living in seclusion in a villa on Xishan. Guan Xiugu then takes Fan Jiashu to Xishan to meet He Lina, inserting a congratulatory letter into their meeting place, and then leaves to join the Northeast Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army.
The sequel tells of Shen Guoying, who serves as a commander, proposing to He Lina. To avoid the engagement between the Minister of Finance's daughter and Fan Jiashu, he sends his daughter and Fan Jiashu to study in Europe. Upon returning, he finds that Shen Fengxi has become Guoying's mistress. Soon after, Shen Fengxi dies of a broken heart, unable to forget her past love. At this time, facing national crisis, Guoying donates his family property to purchase weapons for the Volunteer Army led by Guan Shoufeng and his daughter. In the battle for the fortress, they sacrifice their lives for the country.