
A corrupt magistrate named Qian Wanguan finds himself at the center of a violent uproar after his ruthless pursuit of a woman leads to the tragic deaths of two lovers. The villagers, outraged by his abuse of power, form a mob, beat him, and debate whether to hand him over to the authorities. As the chaos swirls, Qian tries to bargain with silver, promising restitution while his reputation crumbles under the weight of public disdain.
Meanwhile, the local officials—caught between duty and self‑interest—plot to capture him and the accused women, hoping to extract both confession and wealth. Their scheming brings the three into a tense confrontation that blurs the line between law and vengeance, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown that will test loyalty, justice, and the limits of corruption. The story unfolds with vivid dialogue and a tense atmosphere, inviting listeners to witness a world where power, greed, and retribution collide.
Language
zh
Duration
~23 minutes (22K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2008-01-07
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
Known by the pen name Aiyuezhuren, this Chinese writer is remembered for fiction that survives mainly through digital archives. The work most easily traced today is the novel "Xizhong Xi" ("戲中戲"), now preserved by Project Gutenberg and Chinese literature sites.
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