Founding of Tang cover

Founding of Tang

Rating 3.9
Word count
118K words
Chapters
14
ISBN
9787807553748

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Summary

In the early Tang dynasty, the flames of war had just subsided, and dragons and serpents of the wild lay hidden. Yet after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, a surviving heir of the former crown prince was quietly born deep in the palace. Xiao Que, a bewildered youth down on his luck, bears a heavy shackle: rejected above by ruler, kin, teacher, and friends, and below unforgiven by the rough-and-tumble jianghu, he longs only to fly freely through the mortal world. Yun Shao, Tan Rongniang, Jian Jia—each carries their own past and mission. A scroll of the early Tang, more resplendent than history itself, slowly unfurls...

Editor's review

"Kai Tang" is a wuxia narrative by Xiao Luan set against the early Tang, beginning in the aftermath of power following the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Through the drifting fate of Xiao Que, a surviving heir of the former crown prince, it draws out a cast of figures—Yun Shao, Tan Rongniang, Jian Jia—each bearing their own past. The book's readability lies not in retelling great historical events but in interweaving personal origins with jianghu grudges, letting a youth accepted by no side seek the possibility of freedom in the crevice between ruler, kin, teacher, friends, and the rough jianghu. The narrative carries Xiao Luan's customary lyrical tone and visual sense; the just-settled flames of the early Tang contrast with the subtle depths of his characters' hearts. It suits readers who like to read of human warmth and coldness, and the entanglements of fate, within a wuxia framework. As you read, note how each character's mission drives the plot, and how the author uses resplendent prose to unfold a picture of the early Tang different from official history.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Readers who enjoy early Tang historical settings combined with wuxia narrative
  • Readers of wuxia who prefer ensemble portrayals, each character with hidden motives
  • Literary lovers who appreciate lyrical prose and a visual style
  • Readers who want to feel a youth's growth and struggle with fate in Xiao Luan's works

Not a good fit for

  • Readers expecting history that strictly follows the historical record
  • Wuxia readers who prefer fast pacing and strong plot momentum
  • Readers with limited patience for lyrical, atmospheric narrative

Reading tips

  1. First clarify the basic situation after the Xuanwu Gate Incident; the character relationships will then be easier to enter
  2. As you read, note the pasts carried by Xiao Que, Yun Shao, Tan Rongniang, and Jian Jia
  3. Treat the early Tang setting as atmospheric backdrop and focus on the characters' choices in the crevices
  4. After finishing, revisit the opening description of the just-settled flames to better understand the book's tone

About the publisher

Huashan Literature and Art Publishing House is a local literature and art publisher whose main publishing focus is literary and artistic works, covering categories such as classic works, philosophical readings, social sciences, foreign literature, Eastern philosophy, and applied psychology. Judging from the books in the database, the house publishes modern literary classics such as Xiao Hong's The Story of Hulan River, as well as Aisin Gioro Yu Yun's "Yu Laoshi Speaks" series and titles from the "People and Classics" series, including The Great Learning and The Commentary on the Xici of the I Ching, with an emphasis on interpreting traditional classics. In foreign literature, it offers Michael Cunningham's The Hours, Hemingway's The Snows of Kilimanjaro, and Dave Pilkey's Dog Man series. Its authors include Xiao Hong, Aisin Gioro Yu Yun, Chen Jiong, Dave Pilkey, Michael Cunningham, and Wang Jiaxiang. Its publishing character lies in balancing literary classics, interpretations of traditional culture, and translations of foreign literature, forming a diverse reading structure for general readers. Public information is limited, and the above focuses on the publishing directions reflected by the books in the database.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 序
  3. 第一章 宗令白
  4. 第二章 东西市
  5. 第三章 肩胛骨
  6. 第四章 谈容娘
  7. 第五章 太仆寺
  8. 第六章 辅公袥
  9. 第七章 云韶变
  10. 第八章 大野会
  11. 第九章 破阵乐
  12. 第十章 长天刺
  13. 第十一章 风角战
  14. 第十二章 在水方

FAQ

I haven't read other works by Xiao Luan. Can I read "Kai Tang" directly?
Yes. The story is relatively standalone; its main characters and plot unfold against the early Tang setting and do not depend on prior reading of other works. As long as you are interested in the early Tang atmosphere and wuxia narrative, you can enter this book without obvious difficulty.
Is this book more a historical novel or a wuxia novel?
From the materials, the book is set in the early Tang, but its core is the fateful entanglements of a down-on-his-luck youth and jianghu figures. The narrative centers on personal origins, missions, and emotions rather than reconstructing historical events, so it is closer to a wuxia narrative with a historical atmosphere.
There are many characters. Will I confuse them while reading?
The book involves several figures, including Xiao Que, Yun Shao, Tan Rongniang, and Jian Jia, each with their own past and mission. It helps to note the identity and relationship cues when each character first appears; as the plot advances, the threads gradually reveal their connections.

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About the author

小椴 Author · Chinese · 1973

Xiao Duan, whose original name is Li Chuan, was born in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, in 1973, and now lives mainly in Suizhou, Hubei. He is one of the representative writers of the mainland New Wuxia movement. In 2001, he published his first wuxia novel, Bei Xue, in the inaugural issue of the magazine Jin Gu Chuanqi · Wuxia Edition, and has continued writing since then. Nine of his works are included in this collection, including such representative titles as Bei Xue, Luoyang Nü'er Xing, Chang'an Guy i, and the Kai Tang series, as well as the short-fiction collections Xiao Duan Wuxia Heji and Ci. His writing is chiefly wuxia fiction, often blending historical and legendary elements, with attention to atmosphere and character emotion. He has influenced wuxia readers and is praised by them as "the Duan beneath Jin, Gu, Liang, Huang, and Wen." Public information about him is limited, and details of his life and education remain unclear, so this introduction focuses on his works and creative trajectory.

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