The Deaf Servant

Yu JiaoNanhai Publication Company · ChinaSep 2023

3.3

Word count: 814 words
Chapters: 2

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Summary

This book is Dumb Servant, by Yu Jiao.

Editor's review

Dumb Servant is a notebook work by the Qing dynasty literatus Yu Jiao. Though brief, it bears the distinctive narrative style of traditional biji: people and events are recorded in spare, concise strokes, and observations on human nature and social manners are lodged within everyday anecdotes. This edition, prepared by Nanhai Publishing House, makes Yu Jiao—a Qing biji author little known to general readers—accessible to ordinary readers. Its value lies not in intricate or sensational plotting but in experiencing how ancient literati recounted the people and affairs around them with restrained, understated technique, and in sensing the rhythm and deliberate gaps characteristic of classical-language biji. It suits slow reading in quiet moments, one or two pieces at a time, with no need to press through in one sitting; afterward, readers may revisit key details to appreciate the author's sense of narrative proportion. Readers interested in Qing biji, anecdotes of historical figures, or traditional narrative forms will find this a lightweight introduction; those accustomed to strongly plotted, fast-paced modern fiction should adjust their expectations.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Qing biji and anecdotes of historical figures
Readers who want a lightweight introduction to traditional classical-language narrative style
Readers who enjoy slow, attentive reading of short pieces

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer strongly plotted, fast-paced modern fiction
Readers unaccustomed to classical or semi-classical Chinese and lacking patience

Reading tips

Read one or two pieces at a time, then note in the margins your impressions of the characters and narrative technique.
When encountering classical wording, read the surrounding context first and then revisit the key phrases; do not grind through word by word.
Read alongside other Qing biji works to compare different authors' narrative techniques.

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.

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FAQ

What is Dumb Servant mainly about?

According to available information, this is a biji work titled Dumb Servant by the Qing author Yu Jiao, published by Nanhai Publishing House in 2023. It records people and events in the traditional biji manner; for specific pieces and plots, refer to the actual pages. When reading, pay attention to how the author portrays characters and social manners in concise language.

Can I read this book without any foundation in classical Chinese?

You can try, but you will need to adjust your approach. Read through the overall context first, then revisit unfamiliar words and phrases rather than translating each character; if something is truly difficult, skip it for the moment and keep your reading rhythm. If you have very little experience with classical Chinese, start with shorter pieces written in simpler language.

Is this book suitable for reading in one sitting?

Not really. Traditional biji works are better read slowly in several sessions, one or two pieces at a time, leaving time to savor and revisit. Reading it all at once makes it easy to remember only the outline of events and overlook the author's care with detail and proportion.

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About the author

Yu Jiao Author · Chinese · 1751

Yu Jiao (born 1751), courtesy name Qingyuan and styled Mengchang, was a native of Shanyin in Zhejiang (present-day Shaoxing) and a mid-Qing prose writer and painter. His official career was beset with setbacks; for long periods he served as a private secretary and minor clerk, traveling as far north as Zhili and south to Guangdong and Guangxi, which gave him broad experience and acquaintances. His ten-volume Mengchang Zazhu records much that he witnessed personally, covering folk customs, painting history, and local historical events, and possesses both literary and historical value. His writings are diverse in subject: works such as Linqing Kou Lue recount contemporary events, while biographies like The Flower-Selling Girl of Fengtai, Yu'er Zhuan, and Xiake Zhuan, together with note collections such as Chunming Congshuo, are plain in style and documentary in spirit. Thirty-nine of his works are held in the library, commonly classified under classic works, folk literature, Eastern philosophy, and literary appreciation. Public information on the details of his life is limited, and scholarship relies largely on his own writings.