"Pearl of the Sea" in Literary Works —— Six Chapters of a Floating Life

Six Chapters of a Floating Life was written by Shen Fu, a scholar in Qing Dynasty, with six volumes. After textual research, two volumes were supplemented by others, not from the original. Even so, it does not affect the value of this book in the world. The first six volumes are boudoir, leisure, ups and downs, and travel notes of the waves. Lin Yutang not only translated this book into English serial, but also praised Shen Fu's wife Chen Yun as "the cutest woman in the history of China literature". This book was also praised by famous scholars such as Yu Boping and Feng Qiyong, and Six Chapters of a Floating Life was also translated into German, French and French.

The daily life of Shen Fu and his wife Chen Yun is rare in the history of literature. Apart from Li Qingzhao's Preface to the Records of the Stone and Gui Youguang's Records of the Ridge, he is the only one who has written such a detailed account of the happiness of the couple's boudoir. It also records other bits and pieces of the author's life, conflicts with his family, sympathy with his friends, and carefree scenery wandering around. Through this book, we can comprehensively summarize the outline of Shen Fu's first half life, and have a certain understanding of the street life in Qing Dynasty.

Zhuangzi's "pass the parcel" is not really forgetful, but pretending to be so open-minded. People will encounter too many things in their life, good and bad, troubled and happy, so accept what is given to me! Therefore, the book has both fun in the boudoir, leisure and elegance, and shocking sadness. In the process of reading, there is a real sense of substitution, which makes people happy and sad. It is precisely because of these straightforward and touching words that many scholars in later generations spoke highly of this book, which is also an important reason for me to calm down and read through this book.

The emotion in Jane is the most deadly.

Six Chapters of a Floating Life is fresh and natural, and easy to read. Except for some proper nouns that need to be marked, the rest can be as fluent as reading the vernacular.

For most people who have dropped out of college for many years, their previous knowledge of Chinese has been completely forgotten, and it is also difficult to read some professional articles on weekdays, not to mention the classical Chinese of uncommon words. However, one feature of Six Chapters of a Floating Life is that the text is straightforward and straightforward, and it is fresh and natural to read, without any affectation. Perhaps after hearing this description, most readers will lose interest in this book. After all, people are deeply impressed by classical Chinese, such as preface to Wang Teng-ting, which is magnificent and neat, or political articles such as On Qin, which are properly quoted and contrasted.

Compared with these masterpieces, Six Chapters of a Floating Life is fresh and natural, which is somewhat difficult to understand. However, this way of writing ci highlights its deep connotation. For example, it vividly shows the feelings between Shen Fu and Chen Yun with seemingly running books.

For example, Shen Fu didn't like Chen Yun's too much restraint on him, so he just said, "Do you want to tie me up with a gift?" Simple and clear, can understand at a glance, combined with the context when you say this, you can imagine that Shen Fu said this with a playful look.

Another example is that Chen Yun got a Yao girl for Shen Fumou's concubine. Because it didn't work out, Yao's daughter went home and lied that she was a pastime. Shen's mother was very dissatisfied with her. "This woman next door is also a wanderer. What do you take? " Discontent is beyond words. ? Another example is the chapter "Childlike Fun" selected as the primary school textbook, which comes from the first section of "Two Tales of Leisure". Three paragraphs, such as the diary of a primary school student, describe a child's naughty and childish, which makes people unconsciously think of their childhood.

All these things are not difficult to find in books. What is commendable is that if these fragments are translated into vernacular, their level seems to be worse than that of high school students in famous schools, but even so, it does not prevent the emotional part from making people feel sour while being happy.

Second, exchange true feelings for empathy.

Having said that, let's not just say that the feelings between Shen Fu and Chen Yun are true feelings, and all the communication between people is based on true feelings. Shen Fu's marriage with Chen Yun is estranged from his parents, but he longs for their parents to forgive themselves and exchange brotherly feelings with friends of the opposite sex in the mountains. The true feelings between these words, like a blessed Buddha lamp, add a lot of charm to the fascinating story.

Why do you say "empathy"?

What is recorded in the book are the short-lived events in my parents' family, which happen from time to time today, even on myself, so it is not strange to read these plots.

Shen Fu's parents like to recognize his adopted son and daughter, among which Wang Ergu and Yu Liugu are the closest relatives to Chen Yun, and often after returning home, Shen Fu is driven out of the house, while the three girls live alone. Provoked Shen Fu to "threaten" helplessly: "After you go home, I will invite my brother-in-law to stay at home for ten days (to let you taste the taste of your beloved's absence)." Unexpectedly, Aunt Yu said, "If only I came to sleep with my sister-in-law." Isn't this kind of joking bickering very common in our daily life?

When Shen Fu and others went to visit the grave, Chen Yun saw moss lines on the stones on the ground, which was very beautiful. So Aunt Wang immediately said, "If my sister-in-law really likes it, I will pick some for you." I have borrowed a sack from the grave keeper at present. Every time Shen Fu said "good" to pick up stones, Aunt Wang put them in sacks, and Shen Fu said "bad" and threw them away. Later, Chen Yun teased Wang Ergu with the "mountain monkey", which provoked Wang Ergu to pretend to itch on purpose. Shen Fu deliberately stopped, and "blamed" Chen Yun: "You feel at ease when others are working. No wonder your little sister is unhappy. "

After reading this, I only feel that when we go sightseeing with friends and relatives, are we not as playful as Shen Fu and others, or even less harmonious? Thus, Mr. Shen Fu and Mrs. Shen Fu, as well as Yu and Wang, are both human beings, and their friendship is not fake and impressive.

With true feelings, there is hypocrisy, and these hypocritical feelings make Shen Fu very painful, and Chen Yun is also very painful.

There is a special chapter in the book called Upset, which records all the misfortunes of Shen Fu in his half life. At the beginning of this chapter, he said that "the ups and downs of life are all caused by self-immolation", which is not suitable for him. "Affectionate and faithful, straightforward and uninhibited" is his evaluation of himself. People with this character should be very popular now, but Shen Fu was dragged down by this character, which made his family very miserable.

Tang Kai, Shen Fu's younger brother, borrowed money from his neighbor to guarantee Chen Yun, but he didn't pay it back. At that time, the husband and wife were separated, and Shen Fu was with his father. Chen Yun told Shen Fu about it, but Shen Fu mistakenly thought that she borrowed money behind her husband's back and slandered Tang Kai. Chen Yun doesn't know how to argue. It's really hateful and sad to be driven out of the house by Shen Fu.

What is more exasperating is that when Shen Fu died, he was not there at that time, and Tang Kai didn't inform him who was not there. "We were born from the same root. Why are we in such a hurry?" People like Tang Kai bite the hand that feeds them. Shen Fu was treated like this by his brothers. Apart from Tang Kai's bad behavior, the couple are too generous to others.

There is too much to say about the topic of "true feelings" in the book. In addition to the above, the word that moved me most was "the opposite sex", which was the original words in the book, referring to Shen Fu's good friend Xia Yishan. But in fact, in my opinion, several characters in the book can be called Shen Fu's "opposite sex flesh and blood".

Xia Yishan settled his son Feng Sen for the couple when they were in trouble and fled far away. After Shen Fu's father died, he was lonely and sad. When he was desperate, he advised him to give up the idea of becoming a monk. After all, there are still children who have not settled down. Later, I found a place for Shen Fu Zen Temple. I was afraid that he would be alone, so I often brought wine and fruit to drink. When he claimed that Shen's father died and the funeral expenses were not enough, Feng Sen came to ask for money, Yishan dissuaded him. Later, Shen Fu followed Yi Shan to collect rent from other places. It was already winter when he came back, so he invited Shen Fu to spend the New Year at home. All this shows that Yi Shan is indeed the same flesh and blood to Shen Fu.

After careful analysis, it can be seen that his family is very rich because he is so generous and has to go to other places to collect rent. Although Shen Fu's family is a little rich, Shen Fu is generous, helpful and spendthrift. After Shen Fu got married, life was not so good. "At first, it moved eastward to make up for the west, and later it was left behind." This sentence sums up the living standard of the couple well. With such a contrast, it is even more obvious that Yishan has a deep brotherhood towards Shen Fu. He can't get anything from Shen Fu. If there is, I am afraid that the kindness in his heart has been sublimated after helping his friends!

There are many people who lend a helping hand when Shen Fu is down and out. When I read the chapter "Recalling Sadness", I can often imagine how miserable the picture was at that time, with a strong sense of substitution, as if I had experienced those scenes, so I was always depressed. The first two chapters are "fun" and "fun". Suddenly, a chapter records melancholy, which makes the feeling of depression stronger. Therefore, when someone comes to help us in the plot, we will feel that the original tells us not only that Tang Qi is a villain who strives for fame and fortune, but also that many people take pleasure in doing good.

Shen Fu cut the hall at the turn of the general angle. After he was promoted and made a fortune, he did not forget his old friends and invited Shen Fu to go with him and enjoy wealth. Another example is his good friend Hu Kentang, who donated ten gold after Chen Yun's death to let Shen Fu bury his wife properly. And Cao Shi, it turns out that Shen Fu helped him a little when he was a staff officer. He thanked Shen Fu for his kindness, and he was cash-strapped on the road, so that Shen Fu would not sleep on the street and starve.

Having said so many words of true feelings, the focus of the whole book is also the love between Shen Fu and Chen Yun, which is also the most talked about by people. Shen Fu takes "Mrs. Mei Crane" (named after Shen Fu) and "Yin" as his respect, describing his love as elegant and free and easy.

I remember that in Princess Zhu Huan, Wei Zi was jealous that Erkang and Sang Ni stayed together for two months and talked about the philosophy of life from poetry. Although the plot is a bit bloody, it is an excellent plot for lovers to get along with. The reason why this bridge is said is because the book really mentions that they have been together for two months, "inviting the moon to drink" and taking "couplets" as a pastime, which is enviable.

On weekdays, Shen Fu and Chen Yun get along well. The books are all about their harmonious relationship, and they have never quarreled or even blushed. Said Shen Fu this is intentional, do remember some happy things, in short, between the lines are flattering to Chen Yun.

Third, "The cutest woman in the history of China literature"

This sentence was said by Lin Yutang. In other words, it can be said that if you get this woman in your life, what else can you ask for?

The loveliness of Chen Yun is that she is virtuous, kind and virtuous, and treats her husband Shen Fu pedantically, but it is not reminiscent of the feeling imposed on her by feudal ethics, but because of her love for Shen Fu. This is almost a perfect woman, who loves her family, treats people sincerely and easygoing, and is not good at arguing with others. However, when her husband encountered adversity, she persisted without complaint. Shen Fu said that she "has a man's mind and talent", but I think many men are not as good as Chen Yun.

Her background is not very good. At the age of four, she lost her father and lived alone with her mother and brother. She was a "domestic slave", but she was born smart. When she learned to speak, she could recite the pipa. When I'm a little older, I'll work as a female worker to supplement my family. Later, I found a book called Pipa, and I recognized the words one by one with the pronunciation I memorized when I was a child. Therefore, from these clips, I can know that Chen Yun is a self-improving person, and he is full of longing for reading and put it into practice.

After marriage, Chen Yun treated Shen Fu as a woman. As mentioned earlier, Shen Fu's younger brother Tang Kai asked her to borrow money from her neighbors as a guarantor. Even if she was wronged because her father-in-law didn't know the truth, she didn't argue again and was expelled from the house with Shen Fu.

Shen Fu made friends, and Chen Yun made every effort to arrange everything. Although the family is not rich, it does not affect Chen Yun's intelligence. Suzhou has South Garden and North Garden, both of which are good places to play. However, Shen Fu and his friends suffer from the lack of tools for making tea and wine. Facing the cold flowers, they always feel less charming. Chen Yun smiled and asked everyone to pay only part of the drinks tomorrow, and she would prepare the rest. She asked Shen Fu to hire a street stall selling wonton to make wine, tied the handle of the casserole with a rope and hung it on the stove to make tea. Everyone was surprised.

And Shen Fu likes drinking, but there are not many dishes, so Chen Yun made a plate similar to the one used in today's canteen with plum blossom boxes, with a small amount of snacks on it and glasses and chopsticks. It is no problem for two or three people to drink together.

Shen Fu's collar socks are all made by Chen Yun himself. Although the clothes are worn out, they are white for a long time after being mended by Chen Yun, but they are clean and tidy, mostly dark, and can be used at home to receive guests.

There was dew in the morning of early summer. Chen Yun put the tea in the lotus heart the night before, picked it after the dew soaked the next day, and cooked it again. "The fragrance is unique.

There are many such examples in the book. Presumably, when Shen Fu was writing a book, he just extracted some memorable things, and there were many small things that were not recorded. Through these examples, it is not difficult to see that after Chen Yun followed Shen Fu, he did not complain about the poverty in his family, but ran this small family wholeheartedly. Even friends of Shen Fu praised Chen Yun.

There is a saying on the Internet that the tears a woman shed after marriage are all water that entered her mind before marriage, and her words are not rough. Whether it's a man or a woman, it's very important to find the right person. I think Chen Yun has found the right person, too.

At that time, the way she got along with Shen Fu was "outrageous", and some behaviors seem strange today, such as her initiative to find a concubine for Shen Fu. She also suffered two blows because she found a concubine. First, when it didn't work out, she lied that the other party was a "wanderer." As a result, Shen mother thought she was going to marry a prostitute for her son and scolded him, and then the matter was dropped.

Chen Yun was infatuated with Shen Fu, and she was willing to stay poor with Shen Fu * * *, not only because of her own personality, but also because of her husband's generosity and affection. Because two people understand each other and live in harmony, it makes readers feel that it is a harp and a voice.

When she first got married, she was "taciturn, never sad, just smiling at her, respecting everything and being harmonious", which shows that she is a very gentle and virtuous person. Although as a bride, there is always a feeling of pretending when she first enters his house, according to the subsequent plot, she has always been in this state, and the bride is no different from the old woman.

She gets up as soon as the sun shines on the window every day, as if someone is urging her, because she is afraid that someone will say that the bride of this family is lazy, and the implication is that she is afraid of losing Shen Fu's face. And Shen Fu's practice is to "love his lies and be virtuous" and get up early with his wife.

Now there is a word called "wife-doting mania", and Shen Fu was the number one person in this title. He is bold and straightforward by nature, and thinks that Chen Yun is "pedantic and unwilling to bother himself". Sometimes Shen Fu pulls Chen Yun's sleeve, and Chen Yun will say "offend". If he gave her a handkerchief and a cattail leaf fan, he would definitely get up and pick it up. From these details, we can see that Chen Yun waited on her husband respectfully, but it was not duplicity, but from the heart. Who does Chen Yun think is a person who respects others but behaves rudely? For Shen Fu, he didn't want Chen Yun to be so polite, but he felt that everyone was a family and didn't have to be so formal, instead of treating Chen Yun as an outsider. "Do you want to tie me up politely?" Shen Fu not only doesn't want Chen Yun to be bound by ceremony, but also doesn't want her to be bound by ceremony.

From now on, there is nothing outstanding in some fragments, but if you put yourself in Shen Fu's shoes, it was still the Qing Dynasty, when feudal ethics were strict and most people were stubborn and conservative. It is not easy for Chen Yun and his wife to get along in that environment.

As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Later, Shen Fu's family had to borrow money to make a living. In order to avoid suspicion, the couple had to entrust their son and daughter to others to go out. Son Feng Sen asked his friend Yi Shan to send him to learn skills, while his daughter Jun Qing stayed as a child bride. From then on, the family separated and never reunited. At this time, Chen Yun was ill. Later, although it was better in a short time, it was just a futile struggle. Chen Yun married Shen Fu and lived a poor and simple life. A few years before his death, Shen Fu traveled all over the country for a long time and didn't spend much time with Chen Yun, but Chen Yun still did his duty and didn't complain.

The section on Chen Yun's death, read with tears, is earnest and sad. At the last moment of her life, Chen Yun looked back on her life and felt that all her efforts to be a good wife were unsuccessful. Her illness should be said to have a lot to do with her wandering and helpless life, but she attributed all the reasons to her grief caused by her brother's death and her mother's loss, and she was too emotional and thoughtful on weekdays.

During the twenty-three years with Shen Fu, Chen Yun felt like a "fireworks fairy" and "a married woman has no regrets in this life". What regrets does Shen Fu have in this life?

I spent two nights reading through this book, and suddenly I felt that I had seen a person's life. There are no two identical people in the world, but there are many identical stories staged by different people. For Shen Fu, after his wife's death, he continued to be the staff of others until his death. However, for readers, from the moment Chen Yun died, Shen Fu was like a walking corpse without a soul.

This book can be called "the pearl of the sea" in literary works. First of all, because it was discovered by accident, it would not be known to the world without the discovery and attention of Yang Yinchuan and Wang Tao in the late Qing Dynasty. Secondly, because it is so inconspicuous in the vast literature. The author is unremarkable, the plot is unremarkable, and the characters are unremarkable, but so many "unremarkable" together still can't erase its charm and are still worth reading.