Tales of Magistrate Bao and His Valiant Lieutenants: Selections from Sanxia wuyi (English Edition)

Murder, Mystery, and Courtroom Drama─Chinese Style! Sanxia wuyi三俠五義(later revised and called Qixia wuyi七俠五義) is a semi-historical narrative of adventure, crime-detection, and courtroom drama. It revolves around the famed Song dynasty magistrate, Bao Zheng包拯(999-1072), who is more commonly known as Magistrate Bao (Bao Gong包公) and is the quintessential incorruptible government official. This novel, derived from the oral narrative attributed to the Qing storyteller Shi Yukun石玉崑(fl. 1870s), was first published in 1879, after undergoing a complex and fascinating textual evolution. The non-historical component of narrative, which represents the creative genius of the storyteller and his tradition, revolves around a group of compelling heroes and gallants─foremost among them are Zhan Zhao展昭, Hero Par Excellence, Jiang Ping蔣平, Diplomat Supreme and Unparalleled Underwater Genius, Ai Hu艾虎, Youngest of the Tried and True, and the beloved Bai Yutang白玉堂, Gallant of Incomparable Elegance and Passion.

Susan Blader is Professor in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Literatures at Dartmouth College.