New Jin Ping Mei (starring Yang Simin) Plot Introduction
"The Golden Lotus," is a work filled with obscenities. In the past, scholars have criticized it, merely venting their own frustrations, without truly appreciating "The Golden Lotus." However, the author also has his own intentions, aiming to portray the world and reveal its truths. There are many characters in the story, but naming it after Pan Jinlian, Li Pinger, and Chunmei also carries a deeper meaning from the "Woodcutter's Song." Pan Jinlian dies by being beaten to death, Pinger dies due to her sins, and Chunmei dies because of lust, surpassing other character fates in intensity. The story uses Ximen Qing to depict the grand schemes of the world, portrays minor clowns through Bu'er Jing, and sketches ugly old women and scheming women through various licentious characters, causing readers to sweat as they read. This aims to portray the world and reveal its truths. Someone once said: Those who read "The Golden Lotus" and feel compassion are bodhisattvas; those who feel fear and disgust are gentlemen; those who feel joy are small people; and those who wish to emulate it are beasts. A friend of mine, Chu Xiaoxiu, attended a banquet with a young man where the performance reached the scene of "King霸王's Night Banquet." The young man drooled, saying, "How can a man not be like this!" Chu Xiaoxiu replied, "It's just like wiping your feet on a door mat, playing this one move." The others at the table laughed, finding humor in this metaphor. Only those who understand this meaning should be allowed to read "The Golden Lotus." Otherwise, Mr. Shi almost warned against reading it, believing that if one reads it after understanding Ximen Qing's fate, it would be acceptable.