Jade Worth Fifteen Cities (3)

Li YuJun 2024

4.1

Word count: 51K words
Chapters: 5

Summary

Also known as Silent Opera, Liancheng Bi is a collection of short stories by Li Yu, a major literary figure of the Qing dynasty, and one of the works most often banned and destroyed in that era. The complete collection comprises the main volume and a supplementary volume, each telling its own story. On the whole, the work chiefly depicts urban life and the daily routines of ordinary people, aiming to reward good and punish evil, with a strong popular sensibility. Its language, plots, and characters are vivid and well-rounded; its treatment of love between men and women is especially delicate and nuanced, with a distinct flair for the marvelous. Highly readable, it remains relevant to readers today.

Editor's review

Liancheng Bi is a representative work among Li Yu's vernacular short stories, and this volume is one installment of it. Li Yu's narrative strength lies in making everyday urban life lively and witty: plots turn briskly, characters speak in convincing voices, romantic matters are rendered with delicacy yet never stiffly, and moral instruction is often delivered through humor, so it rarely feels preachy. As a work repeatedly banned in the Qing dynasty, it also offers today's readers a vivid sample of urban ethics and emotional attitudes of the time. This edition is moderate in length, suitable as a gateway into Li Yu's fictional world and for reading one piece at a time during commutes or before bed. While reading, pay attention to the narrator's inserted remarks and commentary, for there lies Li Yu's characteristic wit; readers unfamiliar with the rhythm of classical vernacular narrative may start with the more plot-driven pieces to build interest.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers who enjoy classical vernacular short stories and want an easy taste of urban wit
Students and enthusiasts studying Ming-Qing fiction and urban culture
Readers interested in premodern love narratives and ethical attitudes
Teachers looking for short texts for reading practice or classroom selections

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer the pace of modern novels and have little patience for classical vernacular style
Readers seeking systematic literary-historical argument rather than primary texts
Readers sensitive to didactic good-versus-evil writing

Reading tips

Read each piece independently and pause briefly after finishing one to revisit the narrator's remarks and commentary.
Skip unfamiliar objects or dialect terms at first; after grasping the plot, look them up to avoid interrupting the reading rhythm.
Try reading a delicately written love story alongside a chivalric tale to appreciate the differences in Li Yu's handling of subject matter.
After reading, note the most interesting plot twist and retell it to a friend to test whether you caught the wit.

版权信息
卷九寡妇设计赘新郎众美齐心夺才子
卷十吃新醋正室蒙冤续旧欢家堂和事
卷十一重义奔丧奴仆好贪财殒命子孙愚
卷十二贞女守贞来异谤朋侪相谑致奇冤

FAQ

Can I read this volume without having read the other parts of Liancheng Bi?

Yes. Each story is relatively independent, and this volume, as one installment, can be entered without relying on earlier plots. If you become interested in Li Yu's narrative style after reading, you can continue with other parts more smoothly.

Why was this book banned, and will it feel preachy today?

Sources indicate it was repeatedly banned in connection with its direct writing about urban life and love between men and women. However, Li Yu's moral instruction is often wrapped in humor and intricate plots, so the didactic feel is not strong; today's readers are more likely to find wit and observations of social life.

Classical vernacular is hard to read. Any suggestions?

Start with the more plot-driven pieces and focus on dialogue and turning points rather than puzzling over every word. Save the narrator's inserted commentary for a second reading, when its wit is easier to appreciate.

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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.