The One-Handed Beggar (Part 1)

Huanzhulouzhu (Li Shoumin)Nanhai Publication Company · ChinaFeb 2017

3.8

Word count: 313K words
Chapters: 30

Summary

Wuxia novel. Volumes 1–12 of this work were published by Shanghai Yuanchang Printing House, and volumes 13–14 by Wuxun Publishing House; volumes 1–3 bear no publication date, volume 4 was published in April 1950, and volume 14 in May 1951. Complete.

Editor's review

The One-Armed Beggar (Part One) is the first half of Huanzhulouzhu's wuxia novel The One-Armed Beggar, responsible for the opening setup, the introduction of characters, and the laying out of the main conflicts. Huanzhulouzhu excels at opening with strange and perilous scenes, then gradually unfolding jianghu grudges and characters' origins; this first volume is a typical example of that narrative method, through which readers can experience the suspense construction and storyteller's tone of old-school serialized wuxia. The 2017 Nanhai Publishing House reprint is based on the original serialization and preserves the publication information of volumes 1–14 issued in batches, offering reference value for understanding the character of Huanzhulouzhu's later works and the publishing ecology of Republican-era wuxia. This book is suitable as a starting point for entering the whole of The One-Armed Beggar; when reading, pay attention to the first introductions of character relationships and the planting of foreshadowing, in preparation for the conclusion in the second volume. Because it was written quite early, its language and pace differ considerably from contemporary genre fiction; continuous reading is recommended over skipping around.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Wuxia fans preparing to read the entire One-Armed Beggar systematically
Readers interested in the character of Huanzhulouzhu's later creative work
Readers who enjoy serialized suspense narration and old-school jianghu settings

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking only fast plot and impatient with serialized buildup
Readers with low tolerance for old-fashioned diction and classical-style expression
Readers who want a single volume to stand alone and do not plan to continue to the second volume

Reading tips

Start from the first chapter and read in order, noting how characters' identities are established when they first appear.
Jot down the main character relationships and grudge threads to make it easier to connect with the second volume.
Pause briefly after every few chapters to review how foreshadowing and suspense are advancing.
Open the second volume immediately after finishing to keep the plot continuous and unbroken.

About the publisher

Nanhai Publication Company China · Founded in 1988

Nanhai Publication Company is a comprehensive publisher known for its literature and arts titles, covering fields such as classical poetry, martial arts fiction, and folk literature. Judging from the more than 1,600 books in the database, the company has released classical poetic works including the Nineteen Old Poems and the Nine Songs, as well as multiple volumes of Huanzhulouzhu's series The Swordsmen of Mount Shu, along with related writings by authors such as Guan Hanqing, Qu Yuan, Zuo Si, and Wang Zhihuan. Its publishing character lies in balancing the organization of classic texts with the dissemination of popular literature, placing poetry anthologies alongside long martial arts novels and presenting a relatively diverse literary profile. Public information is limited, and further details about its editorial practices and series planning remain to be supplemented.

版权信息
第一回松荫下卧着一个断臂的乞丐
第二回电光中瞥见一条黑影飞过
第三回风雪中的贫儿
第四回龙亭异丐
第五回深林遇敌
第六回五阴手
第七回繁塔怪客
第八回巧得千里马
第九回姜小侠智伏群贼
第十回铁牢中的小英雄
第十一回铁蜈蚣双环
第十二回凌空飞堕黄衣人
第十三回女侠龙灵玉与铁蜈蚣
第十四回渭南双侠初创红毛雕
第十五回刺客
第十六回小侠女初学钩连枪
第十七回松林中的黑影
第十八回良友重逢
第十九回幽谷异人
第二十回平空飞下拿云手
第二十一回奇侠小癞痢与小哑巴
第二十二回铁蜈蚣怒发七禽掌
第二十三回众英侠大破郎公庙
第二十四回豪杰重返青云
第二十五回锁心轮巧破五毒梭
第二十六回会三雄月夜走荒山开石钵禅林歼巨寇
第二十七回杨枝裂石侠丐创凶僧
第二十八回萧声天际落人在水中行
第二十九回大雪满空山地冻天冰良朋何处

FAQ

What is the relationship between this book and the second volume?

This book is the first half of The One-Armed Beggar and together with the second volume forms the complete work. The first volume mainly completes the introduction of characters, the establishment of relationships, and the laying out of the main conflicts, while the second volume takes up these threads and moves toward resolution. The two volumes should be read in order and continuously; reading only the first volume will leave many unresolved suspense threads.

Is Huanzhulouzhu's work suitable for wuxia beginners?

Huanzhulouzhu's style is fantastical and gorgeous, but it contains much serialized storyteller language and old-fashioned diction, and its narrative pace differs from contemporary fiction. Readers with some experience of old-school wuxia will find it easier to enter; complete newcomers to wuxia may first read a few chapters to adapt to the language style before deciding whether to continue.

Is the historical publication information in the book useful to ordinary readers?

According to the materials, the volumes of this book were issued successively by Shanghai Yuanchang Printing House and Wuxun Publishing House; the early volumes bear no publication date, volume 4 was published in April 1950, and volume 14 in May 1951. Ordinary readers may skip this information and focus on the main text; readers interested in editions and publishing history can use it to understand the appearance of the original serialized publication in batches.

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About the author

Huanzhulouzhu (Li Shoumin) Author · Chinese · 1902–1961

Huanzhulouzhu, originally named Li Shanji and later renamed Li Shoumin, was a native of Changshou, Sichuan (now part of Chongqing). Living from 1902 to 1961, he was a master of Republican-era wuxia fiction. He rose to fame in 1932 with The Legend of the Shu Mountain Swordsmen, a series he continued for years; the library holds more than four hundred related works. His novels blend sword immortals, strange tales, and Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist thought into a singular vision, marked by bold imagination and vast scope. As one of the Five Masters of the Northern School, he wrote over forty million characters in his lifetime and left a profound mark on the history of wuxia fiction. Public information about his life is limited, and many biographical details remain uncertain; readers may best approach him through his works and their distinctive narrative style and fantastical worlds.