
Set during the flourishing Tang era, the story follows Luo Zeng, an upright minister who values duty above personal gain. He lives with his wife and two celebrated sons—Luo Can, famed for his striking looks and martial prowess, and Luo Kun, a charismatic warrior often called the “laughing tiger.” Their household is threatened by the cunning Chancellor Shen Qian, whose greed and manipulation cast a dark shadow over the court. The clash between Luo’s integrity and Shen’s ambition drives the early conflict.
When a sudden rebellion on the northern frontier demands a capable commander, the emperor orders Luo Zeng to lead the campaign against the hostile Tatars. Reluctantly leaving his family, he entrusts his sons’ futures to trusted friends, hoping to secure their marriages and keep them safe. The departure is marked by a solemn banquet, the exchange of gifts, and an eerie wind that snaps the army’s banner—an ominous sign that hints at trials ahead. Listeners are drawn into Luo’s struggle to balance loyalty to the realm with devotion to his loved ones.
Language
zh
Duration
~26 minutes (25K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Zheng Wei Li
Release date
2003-10-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Often credited with shaping one of China’s greatest historical novels, this 14th-century writer is closely linked with the enduring legend of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. His life is shadowy, but his storytelling helped define the Chinese novel for centuries to come.
View all books