Book details
儒林外史
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Stored record
Metadata
- Gutenberg ID
- 24032
- Title
- 儒林外史
- Language
- zh
- Book source
- Project Gutenberg
- Description max 80 words
-
A timeless tale of Wang Wei, a humble village boy who defies convention to pursue painting and poetry. Despite poverty and the tragic loss of his mother, his innate talent and unwavering dedication lead him to become a celebrated artist and scholar, inspiring generations with his story of resilience and artistic genius.
- Summary up to 500 words
-
Set in ancient China, *Guanlin Waishi* by Jingzi Wu chronicles the life of Wang Wei, a boy from a impoverished family in Guanzhou who lost his father at age seven. Facing severe financial hardship, his mother initially considers sending him to work in the capital, but Wang Wei's grandfather, Shao Lao, persuades her to keep him. Despite the family's poverty, Wang Wei's mother forbids him from seeking officialdom, fearing the corruption and dangers of the imperial court. After her death, Wang Wei continues to live frugally, caring for his grandfather until Shao Lao also passes away. During a period of political turmoil and natural disasters, Wang Wei contemplates leaving his home. He eventually moves to the eastern mountains, where he encounters Zhuang, a general who has risen to power after defeating the warlord Fang Guo. Zhuang visits Wang Wei, offering him food and respect, but Wang Wei declines the offer of official service, citing the dangers of the times and his desire to avoid the pitfalls of the court. Years later, the imperial government sends an official to recruit Wang Wei for a position. The official finds Wang Wei living in seclusion in the mountains, having long since abandoned his former life. Wang Wei remains steadfast in his refusal to serve, valuing his independence and the simple life he has built. The story concludes with Wang Wei's death, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and a rejection of the corrupt officialdom that characterized his era. The narrative explores themes of moral integrity, the dangers of political ambition, and the value of a simple, honest life over worldly success.
- LLM editorial rating
- 4.2/5
- Download URL
- https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24032.epub.noimages
- Local file path
-
data/epubs/pg24032.epub - Downloaded at
- 2026-07-07 04:07 UTC
People
Authors
- Jingzi Wu
Classification
Categories
- History
- Fiction
- Social Life