A Mysterious Family and a Magical Dream

The author drew the material for this work from a series of dreams. It tells, in broad strokes, the story of a prominent family in Shanxi that leaves its hometown during a drought to seek a better life beyond the pass, making its own way there. The story follows six generations of the family, all of whom are kind and helpful, and recounts the strange events encountered by each generation. It conveys the author's message that people should do more good deeds and that those who readily help others will be rewarded. It also expresses the author's love of life and of nature.