There are two authors for the novel Shui Hu Zhuan (SHZ). The
original novel with 80 chapters was written by Shi Nai An. This
author did not realize that his work was continued by another author
by the name Chen Chen after he passed away. Shi wrote only 80
chapters and concluded his book by the happy gathering of 108 heroes
in Liang Mountain.
However, Chen continued to write that Song Jiang was leading the
heroes to surrender to the Emperor.
Readers are mostly annoyed and disgusted to read the Post SHZ. But
in Chinese history, it was not recorded that Song Jiang surrendered to
Song Dynasty. So we can ignore the second part of the novel.
To understand why Chen wrote that kind of ending, we have to
analyse the background of Song Jiang. He was a low-ranking humble
and loyal officer in a county, unlike the other Shui Hu heroes who
were mostly rough and courageous. However, Song was very
generous and trustworthy(讲义气)， and that won him a lot of
followers as well as admiration.
As it is known to the readers that there is such a Post Shui Hu Zhuan,
the director of the TV series might just reluctantly choose such an
unhappy ending. But to the viewers, it is heart-breaking!
By: NHP
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Shui Hu Zhuan 水浒传 – the myth of Chinese folklore heroes
I have been following the series “All Men Are Brothers” on 8TV for the past few weeks. Had never read any versions of novel and so would not know how faithfully the made for tv series adhere to the actual story. My (misplaced) impression was that the heroes in “Water Margin” are the equivalent to Robin Hood and his band of merry men.
The earlier episodes outlining the exploits the heroes were fairly entertaining, but the developing plot in the latter chapters turns rather disturbing. I have little qualms about the other 107 heroes but Sung Jiang came across as a weak guy with dubious characters. He has no combat skill, was not smart (having to rely heavily on Wu Yong for ideas and strategy) and did not display any leadership quality. Definitely did not deserve to be their big brother. But his biggest crime to the brotherhood was his incorrigible and misguided loyalty to the corrupt government of the day. Imposing on his feudalistic idea to seek amnesty and enlistment he eventually led them down the road to capitulation.
If Chao Kai had not died and remained their leader the ending would be a very different story -one that is more befitting for a great Chinese classic novel.
simon 17.6.2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A moving story - Japanese Earthquake
Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=467066&type=Opinion
EDITOR'S note:
THIS letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan’s crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai
Daily condensed it.
Brother,
How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.
Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.
We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.
I am currently in Fukushima , about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.
People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order.
They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.
Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.
Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.
I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.
The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion.
I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"
The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.
I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."
When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.
A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.
Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.
Ha Minh Thanh
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=467066&type=Opinion
EDITOR'S note:
THIS letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan’s crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai
Daily condensed it.
Brother,
How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.
Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.
We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.
I am currently in Fukushima , about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.
People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order.
They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.
Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.
Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.
I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.
The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion.
I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"
The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.
I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."
When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.
A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.
Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.
Ha Minh Thanh
Monday, February 7, 2011
CNY 2011
Some photos taken during the reunion dinner on New Year's eve and at the Thean Hou Temple ground on the first day of New Year.
7.2.2011
7.2.2011
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