SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Pu Songling

  • Temptation and survival in “Prince of the Sea”

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    Ana

    Strange Tales from Liaozhai: Prince of the Sea (Hai Gongzi) by Pu Songling narrates a tale of seduction, adventure, and survival set on the mythical Guji Island.

  • The Rat’s Vengeance

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    Ana

    The Loyal Mouse is a brief yet meaningful story from Strange Tales from Liaozhai, written by Pu Songling of the Qing Dynasty. This tale tells of the deep bond between two mice and the extraordinary courage and wisdom displayed by one mouse in attempting to save its companion.

  • Love, morality, and redemption in “Nie Xiaoqian”

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    Ana

    Strange Tales from Liaozhai: Nie Xiaoqian, a renowned tale by Qing writer Pu Songling, weaves a fantasy of love, ethics, and salvation through a human-ghost romance.

  • Nie Xiaoqian

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    Ana

    Ning Caichen, a native of Zhejiang Province, was noted for his galantry, integrity and upright character. He often used to say, “In my whole life, I’ve only had my wife and never another woman.”

  • Behind Yingning’s laughter

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    Ana

    The story “Yingning” from Strange Tales from Liaozhai is a classic short story written by Pu Songling, a writer from the Qing Dynasty. This tale centers around the romantic relationship between the protagonist, Scholar Wang, and Yingning, and is filled with elements of fantasy and profound social commentary.

  • Justice and Transformation in “Judge Lu”

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    Ana

    Strange Tales from Liaozhai, a collection of classical tales by Qing writer Pu Songling, features fantastical stories about fox spirits, ghosts, etc. Today, we will talk one of the most popular stories, the Judge Lu.

  • Judge Lu

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    Ana

    Zhu Erdan, of Lingyang, whose courtesy name was Xiaoming, was bold and outgoing by nature, though tending to be gullible. He studied industriously but had not yet made a name for himself.

  • Scholar Dong and the Fox Spirit: A cautionary tale of temptation

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    Ana

    “Dong Sheng” (Scholar Dong), from Pu Songling’s Strange Tales from Liaozhai, follows scholar Dong Xiasi living on the western frontier of Qingzhou, Shandong.

  • The merchant’s son turns into a fox-slayer

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    Ana

    The Merchant’s Son (Jia Er), from Pu Songling’s Strange Tales from Liaozhai, unfolds in the Chu region. A merchant departs on business, leaving his wife and young son at home.