The Right Path cover

The Right Path

Rating 3.0
Word count
255K words
Chapters
42
ISBN
9787539669137

Tags

Summary

This is a full-length novel that combines officialdom and suspense. The protagonist had intended to serve his term and benefit the people of his locality, but no sooner had he taken office than he was drawn into a hidden undercurrent. This undercurrent is full of human weakness and the poison of self-interest...

Bao Ruogu had just set his right foot inside the car door when his phone suddenly rang, and the screen displayed the two characters "Qiao Yu." He instinctively stepped back two paces, then pressed the answer key, and as he casually walked away from the car, said politely, "Brother Qiao, do you mean to come visit your brother this weekend?"

This was a good friend who did not call lightly; he currently served as director of the Provincial Party Committee General Office and was Bao Ruogu's former close comrade-in-arms and intimate friend, as well as a brother worthy of trust and respect. To show his sincerity, Bao Ruogu once again sincerely invited him to visit Chiyu. Unexpectedly, the other party paid no attention at all to his enthusiasm and said in a serious and domineering tone, "Listen, something big has happened. Yu Tianqin is dead. Keep it in mind, don't spread it around, and do whatever you need to do. The province is still keeping a lid on this for now; I expect it will only be made public after the public security department's investigation produces preliminary results, and by then there will be notice through official channels. It seems that precious place of yours in Chiyu won't be convenient to visit for the time being."

Bao Ruogu was still shaken and was just about to ask for the cause and consequences when the other party had already hung up. He stood blankly by the roadside for quite a while, and an inexplicable pain assailed him, stinging him deeply. He felt uneasy and could not calm down for a long time. Mayor Yu, his immediate superior with whom he had spent two months day and night, had died just like that. Public security had stepped in, and it was hard to say whether there was something else hidden...

Editor's review

Shi Digang's The Right Path is a realistic work with a clear theme and substantial writing. Set against more than four decades of reform and opening up, it uses the striving trajectory of the protagonist Zhou Zheng to reflect the grand panorama and complex human nature of China's social transition. Drawing on his solid background in journalism, the author injects the novel with a strong documentary feel and authentic detail, enabling the fictional story to carry the weight of an era. The book's value lies not only in its sweeping plot but even more in its deep inquiry into the core proposition of "the right path"—in years when the tide of materialism and idealism intertwined, how individuals hold fast to their inner principles, how enterprises balance profit with social responsibility, and how the era defines true success. The novel does not offer simple answers but guides readers to think along through the rises and falls of its characters' fates and their choices. Its literary quality is embodied in the nuanced portrayal of a group of characters; the protagonist is not a perfect hero, and his hesitation, setbacks, and growth are universally resonant. For readers who wish to understand the internal logic of contemporary Chinese social change and appreciate solid character development and serious exploration of social issues, The Right Path offers a reading experience that is both readable and intellectually deep.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Readers interested in the history of Chinese social change since reform and opening up
  • Literary enthusiasts who appreciate realism and value character development and substantial plotting
  • Readers concerned with issues of corporate management, business ethics, and social responsibility
  • Young readers seeking stories about personal choices and the realization of values amid the currents of the times

Not a good fit for

  • Readers seeking light entertainment and the fast-paced style of online literature
  • Readers who find serious social issues and relatively grand narrative structures difficult to handle

Reading tips

  1. It is recommended to read it as a social epic, focusing on the interplay between the characters' fates and the historical background
  2. It can be read alongside the economic and social development of China in recent decades for comparison and deeper understanding
  3. While reading, readers may consider the multiple meanings of the title "The Right Path" and what inspiration it holds for their own lives

About the publisher

Founded in 1984, Anhui Literature and Art Publishing House is a professional literary and art publisher. Its collection of 389 titles spans classic works, essays and miscellaneous writings, Eastern philosophy, folk literature, classical literature and design. Representative books include Lao She's Camel Xiangzi, Laozi's Dao De Jing, Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the Shakespeare drama collection featuring Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth and Othello, with Zhu Shenghao's translations adding luster to the series. Its author resources range from classic Chinese and foreign writers such as Lao She, Laozi, Luo Guanzhong and William Shakespeare to translators and authors including Zhu Shenghao, Li Chensen and Liang Sicheng. The publisher is characterized by its balance of Chinese and foreign literary classics with traditional culture titles, combining scholarly value with popular reading. Public information is limited, and the above is based mainly on the books in the collection.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 第一章 红花正需绿叶
  3. 第二章 看谁收风景
  4. 第三章 说实话,意外非常
  5. 第四章 为官因势而定
  6. 第五章 拼商海,还需策略
  7. 第六章 能于顺逆都适应
  8. 第七章 壮梅开二度
  9. 第八章 高人演技如圣
  10. 第九章 发展危机,破解良策
  11. 第十章 腊月寒舍冷
  12. 第十一章 踏小道,攀树翻墙
  13. 第十二章 只需查出佐证
  14. 第十三章 破常规,暗流涌动
  15. 第十四章 局外者,如临其境
  16. 第十五章 照推理,嫁祸于人
  17. 第十六章 出脱干净口眼不闭
  18. 第十七章 今夜无眠
  19. 第十八章 对手更强劲
  20. 第十九章 宇宙大,天威莫测
  21. 第二十章 捕雀失败
  22. 第二十一章 赤峪清流
  23. 第二十二章 内有陷阱
  24. 第二十三章 简从暗访
  25. 第二十四章 青山绿水
  26. 第二十五章 古园石径飞身过
  27. 第二十六章 必要时,冷箭射飞凤
  28. 第二十七章 千年古道
  29. 第二十八章 高人自在民间
  30. 第二十九章 恰似云雾山顶
  31. 第三十章 热情接待,务必回礼
  32. 第三十一章 要为民执政
  33. 第三十二章 请理解,身担使命
  34. 第三十三章 力战群英
  35. 第三十四章 万丈深渊
  36. 第三十五章 风息树静
  37. 第三十六章 居心叵测
  38. 第三十七章 眼前昏暗
  39. 第三十八章 逆天悖理行蠢事
  40. 第三十九章 好心人,一定能苏醒
  41. 第四十章 暗河究竟多长
  42. 第四十一章 瞠目结舌,恍然若梦

FAQ

Is this book a biographical novel or a completely fictional work?
The Right Path is a fictional literary work rooted in a realistic background. Although the author draws on rich period material and observation, the characters and main plot are artistic creations, intended to reflect the spirit of the times through typical characters and stories.
How difficult is this book to read? Is it suitable for young readers?
The novel is smoothly written and strongly story-driven, and its core plot is easy to follow. Because it spans a considerable period and involves a certain social and historical background, young readers with a basic understanding of Chinese social change in recent decades will better appreciate its deeper meaning; the book itself is also a vivid window into that history.
What are the main highlights of this book?
The main highlights are: first, the close interweaving of a personal struggle story with the history of an era's transformation; second, the contemporary interpretation and profound exploration of the traditional proposition of the "debate between righteousness and profit" in business activities; and third, the human resonance created by a group of vividly drawn characters struggling between ideals and reality.

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About the author

史迪钢 Author

Shi Digang is an author about whom very little public information is available. Only one Chinese-language work by this name can currently be confirmed: the social novel The Right Path (Zhengdao). As no reliable records exist concerning birth and death dates, nationality, education, or writing career, no speculation is made here about his personal life; the introduction is limited to the available information about the work. The Right Path is classified as a social novel, a genre that typically takes contemporary society as its backdrop and focuses on how ordinary people navigate institutions, human relationships, and competing interests, often carrying a strong sense of social concern and moral inquiry. The title itself suggests a narrative centered on right and wrong, integrity, and conduct, though the specific plot, characters, and narrative techniques cannot yet be assessed for lack of material. On the evidence currently available, Shi Digang's profile as a writer remains unclear, and the characteristics and influence of his work in the field of social fiction await further works and sources before any evaluation can be made.

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