The Banner of Utmost Loyalty
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Summary
Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history, marked by a high degree of originality, inventiveness, and literary quality. Early intellectual forms are highly distinctive, and the religious theology, classics of traditional Chinese medicine, ancient military treatises, Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist, and Hundred Schools thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and local customs and geography are all broad and profound. This series, "Essence of Chinese Classics: Original Texts," preserves the original appearance of the books and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, one cultivates character and subtly appreciates the classics of Chinese learning.
Editor's review
Jingzhong Qi (The Banner of Utmost Loyalty) is a chuanqi play compiled and edited by Feng Menglong of the Ming dynasty, dramatizing the tragic story of Yue Fei's resistance against the Jin and his unjust downfall; it holds a distinctive place among Ming-Qing heroic legends. This edition belongs to the "Classic Essence of Chinese National Studies: Original Texts" series, preserving the original text and emphasizing authenticity and the transmission of traditional thought and culture. Its value in reading lies, first, in experiencing the ethical appeal of Yue Fei's utmost loyalty and service to the nation; second, in grasping the artistic methods of traditional Chinese drama, which shapes characters and advances conflict through quci (lyric passages), kejie (stage directions and action), and xiachang shi (exit poems); and third, in glimpsing the value order and popular sentiment of traditional society through the distinction between loyalty and treachery. Compared with ordinary abridged editions, preserving the original text makes it easier to see the structure of the play and the arrangement of lyrics and prose, making it suitable as a base text for reading drama and studying traditional culture. First-time readers should preferably use annotations and background notes, first clarifying character relationships and plot threads, then savoring the lyrics in detail. Overall, it is better suited to readers with a basic interest in traditional drama and historical themes than to general readers seeking light entertainment.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Ming-Qing chuanqi and traditional Chinese dramatic texts
- History and literature enthusiasts concerned with the evolution of the Yue Fei story in traditional literature
- Teachers who need original texts of traditional thought and culture as teaching references
- Readers who wish to understand traditional culture from the perspective of loyalty and filial piety ethics
Not a good fit for
- General readers seeking only light, entertaining reading
- Those completely unfamiliar with classical Chinese lyrics and dramatic conventions who are unwilling to consult annotations
- Readers expecting modern vernacular rewrites or simplified story versions
Reading tips
- First review the basic historical facts of Yue Fei's resistance against the Jin and his unjust downfall, then read the plot to avoid confusion over character relationships.
- Read through in the order of the acts, paying attention to the division of labor between lyrics and dialogue and appreciating how character is developed through both.
- Mark allusions and dramatic terminology as you go and look them up together; do not let a few difficult lines interrupt the reading of a whole section.
- After finishing, compare historical biographical records with the play's treatment, and consider why the conflict between loyalty and treachery has been written about repeatedly.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 第一折 家门大意
- 第二折 岳侯涅背
- 第三折 若水效节
- 第四折 逆桧南归
- 第五折 铁召御敌
- 第六折 奸党商和
- 第七折 岳侯誓旅
- 第八折 银瓶绣袍
- 第九折 御赐忠旗
- 第十折 奸相忿捷
- 第十一折 岳侯挫寇
- 第十二折 书生扣马
- 第十三折 蜡丸密询
- 第十四折 奸相定谋
- 第十五折 金牌伪召
- 第十六折 北朝复地
- 第十七折 群奸构诬
- 第十八折 忠臣被逮
- 第十九折 公心拒谳
- 第二十折 万俟造招
- 第二十一折 看监被阻
- 第二十二折 世忠诘奸
- 第二十三折 狱中哭帝
- 第二十四折 东窗画柑
- 第二十五折 岳侯死狱
- 第二十六折 隗顺埋环
- 第二十七折 冤斩宪云
- 第二十八折 银瓶坠井
- 第二十九折 北庭相庆
- 第三十折 忠裔道毙
- 第三十一折 施全愤刺
- 第三十二折 湖中遇鬼
- 第三十三折 奸臣病笃
- 第三十四折 岳庙进香
- 第三十五折 何立回话
- 第三十六折 阴府讯奸
- 第三十七折 存殁恩光
FAQ
Is Jingzhong Qi an original play by Feng Menglong?
The materials list the author as Feng Menglong, but his role is closer to that of compiler and editor; the book belongs to the "Classic Essence of Chinese National Studies: Original Texts" series and emphasizes preserving the original text. It should be read as an edited traditional dramatic text, not simply equated with a work personally created by Feng Menglong.
Can readers with no background in drama understand it?
Yes, but some preparation is needed. It is advisable first to understand the conventions of chuanqi—the basic form of division into acts, qupai (tune titles), kejie (stage directions and action), and the alternation of lyrics and prose—and then to use annotations to explain allusions and unfamiliar words. Reading through for the general plot first and then returning to close reading of the lyrics will make the task much easier.
Is this book suitable as classroom teaching material?
It is suitable for teachers conducting thematic instruction on traditional drama or the Yue Fei subject, since preserving the original text makes it convenient to analyze the play's structure and the arrangement of lyrics and prose. However, if students lack a foundation in classical Chinese, teachers need to provide background notes and annotation support; it should not be distributed directly as an introductory reader.
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About the author
Feng Menglong
Author · Chinese · 1574–1646
Feng Menglong (1574–1646), courtesy name Youlong and style name Mohan Zhai Zhuren, was a native of Changzhou in Suzhou Prefecture (present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu). A Ming dynasty writer and dramatist, he devoted his life to collecting and editing popular literature. He compiled Yushi Mingyan, Jingshi Tongyan, and Xingshi Hengyan, known collectively as the "Three Words," which became representative anthologies of vernacular short stories. He also compiled Qingshi and Gujin Tangui, revised Xin Lieguo Zhi and Pingyao Zhuan, and served as magistrate of Shouning County in Fujian. His works draw on urban life and folk legends, employ lively vernacular language, and focus on human nature and social manners, exerting a lasting influence on later vernacular fiction and drama. The library holds 200 of his works, spanning classical literature and social fiction.
