Jade Worth Fifteen Cities (1)
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Summary
Also known as The Silent Opera, Liancheng Bi was written by Li Yu, a literary giant of the Qing dynasty, and is one of the novels repeatedly banned and destroyed in the Qing. The complete collection comprises inner and outer volumes. The complete collection tells one story, while the outer volume tells another. On the whole, it chiefly depicts urban life and the daily life of ordinary people, emphasizing reward for good and punishment for evil, with a strong inclination toward civic sentiment. Its language, plot, and characters are all vivid and colorful; its depiction of love between men and women is especially delicate and nuanced, full of romantic flair. The work is highly readable and still carries strong contemporary relevance today.
Editor's review
Liancheng Bi is an alternate edition of Li Yu's short story collection The Silent Opera, repeatedly banned and destroyed in the Qing dynasty—precisely because it touched the sensitive nerves of the orthodox order. The book is divided into inner and outer volumes, each presenting its own story, drawing on urban life and the daily life of ordinary people, taking reward for good and punishment for evil as its backbone, yet without the stiff air of moralists. Li Yu excels at renewing and startling in plot, with language full of wit and characters whose voices ring true; his writing on love between men and women is especially delicate and nuanced, possessing both romantic flair and closeness to the texture of daily life. Read today, its contemporary significance lies not in moral admonition but in its thorough observation and humorous presentation of human feelings and social manners. It serves as an entry point for understanding the diverse face of Qing vernacular fiction, and is also suitable for readers interested in social-life themes and narrative technique. While reading, one may note how the author places worldly interest within the framework of 'rewarding good'—this tension is precisely Li Yu's uniqueness.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- General readers interested in Qing vernacular fiction and social-life themes
- Literary enthusiasts studying Li Yu's work and Ming-Qing narrative technique
- Readers who enjoy short story collections that can be read in fragments
- Readers interested in ancient urban life and the writing of love between men and women
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting a long, continuous plot with a single main narrative line
- Readers who prefer pure literary lyrical style and have little patience for vernacular story form
- Readers who are resistant to the framework of ancient moral admonition
Reading tips
- Begin with the outer volume stories, which are independent in length, to feel Li Yu's narrative rhythm before reading the complete collection.
- After each story, revisit the author's discussion section to appreciate the tension between the moral framework and worldly interest.
- Pay attention to the voices and wit in character dialogue—this is where Li Yu's language shows its greatest skill.
- Reading alongside basic background knowledge of Ming-Qing urban life will make understanding smoother.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 卷一 谭楚玉戏里传情 刘藐姑曲终死节
- 卷二 老星家戏改八字 穷皂隶陡发万金
- 卷三 乞儿行好事 皇帝做媒人
- 卷四 清官不受扒灰谤 义士难伸窃妇冤
FAQ
What is the relationship between this book and The Silent Opera?
Liancheng Bi, also known as The Silent Opera, is a different title for the same novel. According to the source, the complete collection comprises inner and outer volumes; the complete collection tells one story, while the outer volume tells another. On the whole, it depicts urban life and the daily life of ordinary people, emphasizing reward for good and punishment for evil.
Why is it said to have been repeatedly banned and destroyed?
The source only states that it is one of the novels repeatedly banned and destroyed in the Qing dynasty, without elaborating on specific reasons. Judging from its depiction of urban life and love between men and women in a relatively delicate and nuanced manner, and its strong civic sentiment, there is tension with orthodox moral standards, but the specific reasons for banning require specialized research.
How should the inner and outer volume structure be understood?
According to the source, the complete collection tells one story and the outer volume tells another; the two parts stand as separate pieces. When reading, the inner and outer volumes can be treated as relatively independent story units, without forcing continuity between them.
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About the author
Li Yu
Author · China · 1611–1680
Li Yu (1611–1680) was a writer, playwright and drama theorist of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Styled Liweng, he was born in Rugao, Jiangsu, and came from Lanxi, Zhejiang. Failing repeatedly in the imperial examinations, he made a living by his writing after the Qing conquest and later moved to Jiezi Garden in Nanjing, where he ran a bookshop and organized a family troupe that toured various regions. His works span drama, fiction and prose, including Ten Plays of Liweng, Twelve Towers and Silent Opera. Xianqing ouji discusses both playwriting and the art of living, while Liweng duiyun served as a primer for learning verse and parallel couplets. Valuing stage practice, he built a systematic theory of structure, diction and prosody, and is regarded as a key founder of Chinese drama theory.
