The Legend of Mulanpi

Set against the floods of Putian during the Northern Song dynasty, this story centers on the spirit of serving the people and the passing of that legacy from one generation to the next. Sixteen-year-old Qian Siniang hears of the suffering caused by floods along the Mulan River. Guided by a dream of the Lord of the Pot, she sells her dowry to build an embankment and hold back the water. She braves countless hardships and rallies the people, but ultimately dies in the flood while protecting the embankment. After her, Lin Congshi sinks stones to continue the work, Li Hong uses sand to reinforce the foundations, and Feng Zhiri contributes his knowledge of water management. Through the efforts of these four worthy figures, the Mulan Embankment is finally completed.

The story spans a thousand years: a Dragon Boat Festival ceremony for Siniang in the Yuanyou era; the appearance of a "Serving the People" stele during a storm in the Hongwu era of the Ming dynasty; the embankment serving as a barrier when Japanese pirates invade during the Jiajing era; a descendant of Li Hong donating his salary to fund repairs during the Kangxi era of the Qing dynasty; and, in 2014, the Mulan Embankment being named a World Heritage Irrigation Structure. The Four Saints manifest to celebrate peace and prosperity. Generation after generation of embankment guardians keep a nanmu ruler as their token, remaining true to their original commitment to honesty and service. The people, too, keep alive their reverence for the four worthy figures through legends and customs.

Combining water-management wisdom, regional culture, and myth, the novel charts the Mulan Embankment's transformation from a flood-control project into a spiritual symbol, revealing the timeless power of a commitment to the people. The book has thirty-five chapters and 280,000 words.