
Set against the rolling hills of Ming‑era Jiangxi, the tale follows a magnate named Zhang who earns a reputation for boundless charity. After the loss of his parents, he builds a thriving estate, marries the noble He family, and, after a prophetic dream, welcomes a son and a daughter whose births are marked by an auspicious fragrance. His household becomes a hub of benevolence, drawing admiration from villagers and officials alike.
When Zhang’s wandering brother Hong arrives, the two brothers rekindle their bond and set out for Suzhou, hoping to expand their fortunes. Trust deepens over shared meals, yet dark intentions surface as Hong conceals poison in a celebratory drink. The sudden, tragic death of Zhang Shakes the family and the community, leaving questions of loyalty and greed to echo through the hills.
Language
zh
Duration
~1 hours (63K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Oct 25, 2008
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
Known today through the Qing-era romance Bai Gui Zhi, this little-documented writer is remembered more through the survival of the book than through personal biography. The novel’s mix of love, family duty, and moral testing has helped keep the name in circulation for modern readers.
View all books
by Philippe Aubert de Gaspé

by James Otis

by Alfred John Church

by María Amparo Ruiz de Burton

by John Bennett

by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty