Written by Liu E, an intellectual born at the end of the Qing Dynasty. By describing what Lao Can sees and hears in his travels, the author fiercely attacks the injustices he witnessed and exposed the hypocrisy of so-called "honest and upright officials." Intriguing novel, and one of the last books to be written in the "old style" of Chinese narrative.

Written by Liu E, an intellectual born at the end of the Qing Dynasty. By describing what Lao Can sees and hears in his travels, the author fiercely attacks the injustices he witnessed and exposed the hypocrisy of so-called "honest and upright officials." Intriguing novel, and one of the last books to be written in the "old style" of Chinese narrative.