SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Wu Chengxiu

  • The wicked servant in “Tian Qilang”

    •

    Ana

    In Strange Tales from Liaozhai – Tian Qilang, Lin Er’s series of actions—from overstepping boundaries due to his special status to completely trampling on ethics and loyalty—form a complete portrait of a “wicked servant.” These actions not only escalate the conflicts in the story but also expose, in an extreme way, the dark side…

  • The cruel official-merchant struggle in “Tian Qilang”

    •

    Ana

    The conflict between Wu Chengxiu (representing “merchants” and the wealthy class) and the censor’s younger brother (representing “officials” and power networks) in Strange Tales from Liaozhai: Tian Qilang may seem to stem from a servant’s misconduct, but it actually tears away the cruel veil of “struggles between officials and merchants” in feudal society.

  • Are there any true friends in “Tian Qilang”?

    •

    Ana

    At the first beginning of the story “Tian Qilang”, Wu Chengxiu had a dream. He dreamed someone said to him: “You have made lots of friends across the land. But you make friends without discrimination. Now there is a man with whom you can share weal and woe. Why don’t you make him your…

  • Chivalry and tragic heroism in “Tian Qilang”

    •

    Ana

    “Tian Qilang” is a classic tale from Pu Songling’s Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (Liaozhai Zhiyi), exploring themes of loyalty, gratitude, and social injustice through the relationship between the impoverished hunter Tian Qilang and the aristocrat Wu Chengxiu.

  • Tian Qilang

    •

    Ana

    Wu Chengxiu of Shengyang liked to make friends. Many of them were celebrities. One night, he dreamed someone said to him: “You have made lots of friends across the land. But you make friends without discrimination. Now there is a man with whom you can share weal and woe. Why don’t you make him…