Feng Menglong (1574-1646), the most knowledgeable connoisseur of popular literature of his time, is best known for his three collections of vernacular stories, now commonly known as the Sanyan. Shuhui Yang is professor of Chinese at Bates College, Lewiston, Maine. Yunqin Yang is a simultaneous interpreter in the United Nations Secretariat. Together, they translated Feng's Gujin xiaoshuo as Stories Old and New: A Ming Dynasty Collection (Volume 1).

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Translators' Note

Chronology of Chinese Dynasties

Stories to Caution the World

Title Page from the 1624 Edition

Preface to the 1624 Edition

1. Yu Boya Smashes His Zither in Gratitude to an Appreciative Friend

2. Zhuang Zhou Drums on a Bowl and Attains the Great Dao

3. Three Times Wang Anshi Tries to Baffle Academician Su

4. In the Hall Halfway-up-the-Hill, the Stubborn One Dies of Grief

5. Lu Yu Returns the Silver and Brings about Family Reunion

6. Yu Liang Writes Poems and Wins Recognition from the Emperor

7. Chen Kechang Becomes an Immortal during the Dragon Boat Festival

8. Artisan Cui's Love Is Cursed in Life and in Death

9. "Li the Banished Immortal" Writes in Drunkenness to Impress the Barbarians

10. Secretary Qian Leaves Poems on the Swallow Tower

11. A Shirt Reunites Magistrate Su with His Family

12. A Double Mirror Brings Fan the Loach and His Wife Together Again

13. Judge Bao Solves a Case through a Ghost That Appeared Thrice

14. A Mangy Priest Exorcises a Den of Ghosts

15. Clerk Jin Rewards Xiutong with a Pretty Maidservant

16. The Young Lady Gives the Young Man a Gift of Money

17. The Luckless Scholar Rises Suddenly in Life

18. A Former Protogee Repays His Patron unto the Third Generation

19. With a White Falcon, Young Master Cui Brings an Evil Spirit upon Himself

20. The Golden Eel Brings Calmity to Officer Ji

21. Emperor Taizu Escorts Jinniang on a One-Thousand-Li Journey

22. Young Mr. Song Reunites with His Family by Means of a Tattered Felt Hat

23. Mr. Le Junior Searches for His Wife at the Risk of His Life

24. Yutangchun Reunites with Her Husband in Her Distress

25. Squire Gui Repents at the Last Moment

26. Scholar Tang Gains a Wife after One Smile

27. Fame Immortals Throw Guanghua Temple into an Uproar

28. Madame White Is Kept Forever under the Thunder Peak Tower

29. Zhang Hao Meets Yingying at Lingering Frangrance Pavilion

30. Wu Qing Meets Ai'ai by Golden Bright Pond

31. Zhao Chun'er Restores Prosperity

32. Du Shiniang Sinks Her Jewel Box in Anger

33. Qiao Yanjie's Concubine Ruins the Family

34. Wang Jiaoluan's One Hundred Years of Sorrow

35. Prefect Kuang Solves the Case of the Dead Baby

36. The King of the Honey Locust Grove Assumes Human Shape

37. Wan Xiuniang Takes Revenge through Toy Pavilions

38. Jiang Shuzhen Dies in Fulfillment of a Love Bird Prophecy

39. The Stars of Fortune, Rank, and Longevity Return to Heaven

40. An Iron Tree at Jingyang Palace Subdues Demons

Notes