Longfeng Baochai Yuan

Longfeng Baochai Yuan is a wuxia novel by Liang Yusheng. It was first serialised between 25 June 1964 and 15 May 1966 in the Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao. The novel is the second part of a trilogy, and is preceded by Datang Youxia Zhuan and followed by Huijian Xinmo.

Longfeng Baochai Yuan
AuthorLiang Yusheng
Original title龍鳳寶釵緣
CountryHong Kong
LanguageChinese
GenreWuxia
PublisherTa Kung Pao
Publication date
25 June 1964 - 15 May 1966
Media typePrint
Preceded byDatang Youxia Zhuan 
Followed byHuijian Xinmo 
Longfeng Baochai Yuan
Traditional Chinese龍鳳寶釵緣
Simplified Chinese龙凤宝钗缘
Literal meaningRomance of the Dragon and Phoenix Precious Hairpins

Plot

Duàn Guīzhāng (段珪璋) and Shǐ Yìrú (史逸如) had arranged for their respective children to be married if they were of opposite sexes. A pair of ornamental hairpins, the Dragon and Phoenix Precious Hairpins (龍鳳寶釵), were kept by both sides as a token of this agreement. The Duan family kept the Dragon Hairpin while the Shi family kept the Phoenix Hairpin. Shi Yiru committed suicide to prevent himself from being a burden to his rescuers when he was held hostage by the ruthless warlord An Lushan; Duan Guizhang died in the Battle of Suiyang. Duan Guizhang's wife, Dòu Xiànniáng (竇線娘), survived the battle but died of illness not long later. Duan Guizhang and Dou Xianniang's son, Duàn Kèyè (段克邪), was raised by Xià Língshuāng (夏凌霜). Shi Yiru's daughter, Shi Ruomei (史若梅), was renamed "Hongxian" (紅線) and adopted by Xue Song, a general under An Lushan. Xue Song later surrenders to the Tang government and becomes the military governor of Luzhou.

When Duan Keye turns 16, Xia Lingshuang relates his parents' story to him, passes him the Dragon Hairpin, and tells him to find his missing fiancée and marry her. At the same time, Xue Song betroths Hongxian to the eldest son of Tian Chengsi, the treacherous military governor of Weibo, who is trying to intimidate Xue Song into helping him. When Tian Chengsi sends a convoy of betrothal gifts to the Xue family, Duan Keye and the outlaws on Golden Rooster Ridge ambush the convoy and rob the gifts. Out of curiosity, Duan Keye breaks into Xue Song's residence and encounters Hongxian. A fight breaks out and they develop a strong misunderstanding since Hongxian is unaware of her true parentage. Hongxian's adoptive mother reveals the truth to her daughter later. To repay her adoptive parents' kindness, Hongxian breaks into Tian Chengsi's house and steals a box from his bedside. Unknown to her, Duan Keye also infiltrates Tian Chengsi's residence that night and his misunderstanding with Hongxian deepens when he mistakenly thinks she is helping his enemy. After Tian Chengsi withdraws his forces from Luzhou, Hongxian leaves her adoptive parents and assumes her true identity as Shi Ruomei. Shi Ruomei encounters her childhood friend, Nie Yinniang (聶隱娘), and Moǔ Shìjié (牟世傑), the young master of Fusang Island. The three of them travel to Golden Rooster Ridge to find Duan Keye.

Tiě Mólè (鐵摩勒), who has become a highly skilled and respected hero in the wulin (martial artists' community) for his chivalrous actions, is nominated by his peers to be the chief of the wulin. He faces competition from Mou Shijie, who, despite being a relative newcomer, holds high prestige in the wulin due to his family background. Tie Mole wishes to maintain friendly relations with Mou Shijie and pacify those who were previously allied to his rival, Wáng Bótōng (王伯通), so he gives up the position to Mou. When government forces attack Golden Rooster Ridge, Duan Keye wrongly accuses Shi Ruomei of being a spy and causes her to leave in anger. Nie Yinniang resolves the misunderstanding by telling the truth to Duan Keye, who regrets and leaves to find Shi Ruomei and try to patch up with her.

Shi Ruomei is attacked by soldiers after she leaves Golden Rooster Ridge, but is saved by Dúgū Yǔ (獨孤宇), a youxia. While Shi Ruomei is recuperating in Dugu Yu's place, Dugu Yu's sister, Dúgū Yíng (獨孤瑩), does not know that Shi Ruomei is actually a woman in disguise as a man and falls in love with her. Shi Ruomei leaves the Dugus and goes to Chang'an to find Nie Yinniang. On the other hand, while searching for Shi Ruomei, Duan Keye runs into Shi Siming's daughter, Shǐ Cháoyīng (史朝英), and gets captured. Shi Siming wants to force Duan Keye to join him in rebelling against the Tang Empire but Duan refuses. Shi Chaoying is actually an apprentice of Xīn Zhǐgū (辛芷姑), the former lover of Kōngkōng'er (空空兒). She develops a crush on Duan Keye but Duan does not like her and she eventually gives up on him and turns to Mou Shijie. Duan Keye finally reunites with Shi Ruomei and they resolve their past differences and become lovers.

Qín Xiāng (秦襄), a Tang general, organises a gathering for members of the wulin to attend. Unfortunately, he is framed by treacherous court officials and thrown into prison. Tie Mole, Duan Keye, Shi Ruomei and others who attended the gathering run into trouble but are saved by Kongkong'er and Princess Changle (長樂公主). Tie Mole finally avenges his father by slaying Yáng Mùláo (羊牧勞), a villain who murdered his father. Meanwhile, Mou Shijie becomes more ambitious and wants to dominate the wulin. He abandons his lover, Nie Yinniang, and contacts Shi Siming's former followers in preparation for a rebellion against the Tang Empire, but his plan fails. He feels dissatisfied so he tricks his uncle, Moǔ Cānglàng (牟滄浪), a reputable and powerful martial artist, into helping him. Mou Canglang fights with Duan Keye, Kongkong'er and Xin Zhigu and injures them. However, after discovering the truth, he regrets listening to his wicked nephew and sides with Duan Keye and his friends instead.

Mou Shijie's hypocrisy is revealed during another Heroes' Gathering and everyone turns against him. He eventually commits suicide and Tie Mole becomes the new leader of the wulin. Just then, Duan Keye is captured by Shi Chaoying, who is pregnant with Mou Shijie's child, because she intends to use Duan as a hostage to protect her child. Shi Chaoying retreats to Ekeqin Temple in the Western Regions and stays there for more than seven months. Shi Ruomei locates Duan Keye after a long journey and the couple is reunited, while Shi Chaoying commits suicide after giving birth to a son. Duan Keye and Shi Ruomei are married at the end of the novel, thereby fulfilling the arrangement made by their parents.

References
    • Liang, Yusheng (1964–1966). Longfeng Baochai Yuan (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Ta Kung Pao. ISBN 9789861465647.
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