In 1906, Wu Jianren penned a masterpiece that blurred the lines between historical fiction and true crime. This series offers a fresh, modern translation of the “Liang Tianlai” case—one of the most notorious mass murders in Chinese history. Follow the harrowing journey of a family destroyed by greed and a survivor who refused to let the truth burn in the embers of his home. From the corrupt courts of the Qing Dynasty to the final, hard-won verdict, experience a legal thriller that remains as chilling today as it was a century ago.
Receiving a Letter from the Capital, Lord Chen Sells an “Opening”; Casting Off Mourning Garb, Ling Kwai-hing Sits for the Provincial Exams Ling Kwai-hing left Ma the Semi-Immortal and headed home with his servant. Along the way, he asked repeatedly, “Why is Lord Chen looking for me?” The servant, named Xi-lai, was no longer a…
Shareholders of Guangyuan Shop Dissolve Their Partnership; A Fortune-Teller Discusses the Stars on Saddle Street Guangdong has long been known as a region of immense prosperity, a gathering place for merchants where goods flow freely. Before the sea routes were fully opened, those traveling to the northern provinces mostly went through Jiangxi. On the border…
Nine Lives of Unjust Suffering Chapter 1: A Chaotic Outcry, The Bandits Strike First, A Slow Unfolding: The Prologue Begins “Hey! Mates! We’ve reached the spot! Look, the main gate is bolted tight. How do we break in?” “Bah! You fool! It’s just two wooden doors—you think we can’t smash through that? Come, come! Hand…
九命奇冤 (Nine Lives of Unjust Suffering) By Wu Jianren (吳趼人) Set in the Guangdong province during the Yongzheng era, the story begins with a horrific crime: the Liang family is brutally murdered when their home is set ablaze. Nine lives are lost in the inferno, but the tragedy doesn’t end there. The local wealthy gentry…
