
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
In a bustling Qing‑era county, a newly appointed magistrate faces a tangled family quarrel. Two brothers, Chen Yǔmíng and Chen Yàdìng, inherit a modest seven‑acre field from their late father, and each produces a seemingly authentic claim. Their stubbornness drives the official to devise an unusual test—binding their feet together—to force cooperation, while the villagers watch the drama unfold with a mix of humor and anxiety. The early scenes paint a vivid picture of rural life, filial duty, and the thin line between law and compassion.
The narrative then widens its lens to introduce Qiu Qióngshān, a charitable gentleman from Guangdong whose generosity earned him a reputation for helping the poor. Amidst personal loss and a keen intellect, he engages in playful yet insightful exchanges with children over riddles and schoolwork, revealing a mind that balances wisdom with wit. Together, these intertwined tales explore how ordinary people navigate honor, rivalry, and kindness in a world where every decision ripples through the community.
Language
zh
Duration
~1 hours (88K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2008-04-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A late-Qing writer from Guangdong, he is remembered for vernacular fiction that grew out of public moral storytelling in the Lingnan region. His work offers a rare window into everyday language and popular culture of the time.
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