The Phony Reformer

Auteur

Luke S. K. Kwong is professor emeritus of history at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. His books include A Mosaic of the Hundred Days: Personalities, Politics, and Ideas of 1898 and T'an Ssu-t'ung, 1865-1898: Life and Thought of a Reformer.

Texte du rabat

This late Qing novel reflects Chinese life and society of its time. Portraying a "phony" reformer who rode the tide of the Qing court's post-Boxer reforms to career success and personal wealth, the satire captures the clash between tradition and modernity, the old and new, as educated Chinese stood at a cultural and political crossroads.

Contenu

Preface and Acknowledgments Translator's Introduction: A Long Vigil Before Daybreak Notes on the Translation Chapter 1 An anti-missionary case funnels public funds into private pockets; Old-school folks break down prejudices to go after new measures. Chapter 2 Promotions up official ranks and making riches are words of sound advice; Patronage and gift-giving are shortcuts to success for which people scramble. Chapter 3 The job of machine procurement comes as a reward for the cash contribution; In the name of civilization is the effort made to join the Natural Feet Society. Chapter 4 Mockery is what motivates the effort to study the English primer; The social circle broadens to lead to making friends with Wilkes. Chapter 5 The hunt for the Wealth Voucher rebels leads to a good friend's death; The investigation into local mining rights gives rise to covetous thought. Chapter 6 Mining shares are peddled on Fuzhou Road to attract investors; A company is set up in Guangxin prefecture to produce camphor. Chapter 7 New rules are drafted to forestall school education's harmful effects; Preemptive action is the key to success in handling foreign relations. Chapter 8 An old friend's cooperation helps resolve a Sino-foreign dispute; A police surcharge is enforced in the name of policy innovation. Chapter 9 An old flame cannot reignite as the nestled bird is scared away; The heartache lingers as the male fox sets out to look for a mate. Chapter 10 A superior's favor incurs add-on duties at the correctional center; In search of marital bliss, a letter is sent with a marriage proposal. Chapter 11 The dress-up embrace of Great Universality dazzles every eye; Vengeance over a private feud goes public in the newspapers. Chapter 12 Harsh words in heated argument cause affection and fortune to vanish; Endurance through hardship yields fruits of fame and riches in the end. Chapter 13 Commendation for the intendant status fulfills a long-standing career desire; Supervision of school affairs calls for implementation of authoritarian rules. Chapter 14 Deft skills in making money are applied to maximize mining profits; Army duties become a concurrent job when no other deputy is found. Chapter 15 Grandees play favorites with those who beseech their patronage; Colleagues throw a banquet to celebrate his transfer and promotion. Chapter 16 Once the mask is stripped away, the tracks of the past are fully revealed; In a lyrical poem, warm-hearted but trite, the point of the tale is unveiled. Bibliography