Xu Fuzuo was a Ming dynasty playwright, though limited public information survives about his life. Three of his works are held in this collection: the chuanqi plays Hongli ji (The Red Pear) and Tousuo ji (Throwing the Shuttle), both included in the Sixty Plays anthology, and the notebook Huadangge congtan. Hongli ji, built on a scholar-and-beauty romance, is carefully plotted with graceful lyrics and stands as a relatively representative Ming chuanqi love drama. Tousuo ji draws on historical material to voice reflections on worldly affairs. The notebook Huadangge congtan records miscellaneous anecdotes and observations in a relaxed style, showing the breadth of his interests. Xu Fuzuo worked in both drama and informal prose, with polished language and a habit of blending lyricism and commentary into narrative; his works retain some reference value for the study of Ming drama and note literature.
