"Preface to the Expanded Edition of A Dream of Red Mansions"
Painted pillars and carved beams are covered with dust,
Bao Dai wept in late spring.
The splendor of Jia's mansion fades with the passing water,
Jinling's lost dream conceals her beauty.
"A Dream of Red Mansions", as a treasure of Chinese classical literature, has profound thoughts, outstanding art, and will shine forever. Now that a new expanded edition has been released, we do not dare to add or detract from the original work, but we have carefully sorted and carved it to remove the dust of time, making it easier for readers to enter the room and appreciate its endless scenery.
This expansion is based on the original version of the itinerary, and the original text is strictly followed, with only slight adjustments to the punctuation and segmentation to ensure a clear context. Efforts are made to make the plot advance more coherent, and the characters' joys and sorrows become more vivid, allowing readers to deeply understand the constraints of feudal principles and feel the deep tension of fate.
In the Grand View Garden, the scenery remains the same. The witty chatter of the maids and young men, the melancholy and joyful faces of the young master, and even the poetic life among the flowers and trees while eating and drinking are all unfolded, as if they were there. The writing imitates Cao Gong's writing style and occasionally incorporates modern language to bring time and space closer to each other and make reading more enjoyable.
This new version is like a bridge. One end is deeply planted in the original fertile soil to guide the way for those exploring the hidden world; the other end is lightly connected to the contemporary shore, opening a window for today's people. Readers are encouraged to take this volume and step into the world of Red Mansions, relive the eternal dream that is both real and illusory, and feel its timeless and eternal charm.
The book is in a state of confusion, and I suddenly experience all kinds of things in the world. Classics are like mirrors and proverbs, reflecting the past and present. They also inspire people to cherish their original hearts, maintain their true feelings, and find a spiritual pure land in the complicated world.
The expanded part is marked with [].
Zhu Tianmo Xiaoyu
The cold day of Yisi year
