儒林外史

The novel written by Wu Jingzi in the Qing Dynasty was written in the 14th year of Qianlong's reign (1749) or a little before. It was first handed down as a manuscript and was first engraved in the eighth year of Jiaqing's reign (1803). The book's fifty-six chapters use realism to describe the different performances of various people regarding "fame and wealth". On the one hand, it truly reveals the process and reasons for the corruption of human nature, thereby deeply criticizing and ridiculing the corruption of officials at that time, the shortcomings of imperial examinations, and the hypocrisy of ethics; on the other hand, it passionately praises the protection of human nature by a few characters by insisting on themselves, thus embodying the author's ideals. The use of vernacular in the novel has become more proficient, and the characterization of the characters is also quite in-depth and delicate, especially the use of superb satirical techniques, making the book a masterpiece of Chinese classical satirical literature.