"Du Shiniang Sinks Her Jewel Box in Anger" (杜十娘怒沉百宝箱), originally written by Feng Menglong (冯梦龙, 1574-1646, a Ming Dynasty writer, thinkers, and opera artist), is one of the most outstanding short stories in the history of ancient Chinese literature. Its ideological content and artistic achievements occupy the peak of ancient Chinese short stories. The story, with its delicate brushstrokes, portrays Du Shiniang (杜十娘), a female figure, who is persistently pursuing the good wishes in her own heart, and has achieved extraordinary and outstanding artistic milestones. Du Shiniang, a famous prostitute in Beijing, pursued true love in order to redeem her life, and entrusted her life to Li Jiasheng (李甲生), a college student and the rich son of Shaoxing (绍兴). However, Li Jiasheng was weak and selfish. Although he was truly in love with Du Shiniang, he succumbed to the social and family ethics. No matter how hard Du Shiniang would try, she couldn't escape the shackles of her tragic fate. Li Jiasheng turned his back on her faith, and eventually, coupled with Sun Fu's (孙富) instigation, he sold Du Shiniang. Under all disillusionment, Du Shiniang scolded Sun Fu, scolded Li Jiasheng, and threw a jewel box, treasured for many years, into the river, and finally she as well jumped in the rolling waves.
The book has 11 chapters in the following order:
Chapter 1: Falling into the Dust (第一章：沦入风尘)
Chapter 2: Indifference (第二章：人情冷漠)
Chapter 3: True Love (第三章：患难真情)
Chapter 4: Farewell to the Friends (第四章：告别朋友)
Chapter 5: Meeting Sun Fu (第五章：偶遇孙富)
Chapter 6: The Matter was Decided (第六章：此事已定)
Chapter 7: Angry Treasure Chest (第七章：怒沉宝箱)
Chapter 8: Future Generations (第八章：后人总结)
Chapter 9: Repaying Virtue (第九章：知恩报德)
Chapter 10: More Analysis (第十章：更多分析)
Chapter 11: Nine Songs of Yongmei (第十一章：咏梅九首)
The current book volume, Chinese Short Stories 11, is a Level 1 Chinese reading practice book. It would introduce you to the famous Chinese story, Du Shiniang Sinks Her Jewel Box in Anger (杜十娘怒沉百宝箱). The 11th volume in the Selected Chinese Short Story Series (中国短篇小说精选) includes both the Chinese text (simplified characters) and pinyin Romanization. With over 500 unique Chinese characters, the volume would be suitable for the beginners, lower intermediate and advanced level Chinese language learners (HSK 1-6). Overall, the reading series offers you a variety of elementary level books (Level 1/2/3/4/5/6) to understand China as well as practice Chinese reading fast.
