This rather unknown novel was written by Zeng Pu 曾樸 (1872-1935) and was published in 1905 as a writing of social criticism. Zeng only continued a work that has been begun by Jin Songcen 金松岑. Both writers criticise the degeneration of the higher scholars and statesman of the late Qing period 清. Although the novel is full of citings from traditional literature and thus is very heavy to understand for people that are not familiar with antique literature, it is also influenced by Western literature. Some of the heroes are veiled representations of real persons, making this novel a real critics of intellectual and courtial life. Source:

translation: Translated by .