Chinese Literature Trivia

1. "(mutability) In the full flower of her prosperity Once more came mortal mutability, Bidding her, with both eyes wide, All earthly things to cast aside, And her sweet soul upon the airs to glide." Who is this lyric about?

From Quiz The Beauties in "A Dream of Red Mansions" #2

Answer: Jia Yuan-chun

The lyric is too long to write in full in the question. The above is only the first half and I will give the second half below. (I will do so too in the following questions.) "So far the road back home did seem That to her parents in a dream Thus she her final duty paid: 'I that now am but a shade, Parents dear, For your happiness I fear: Do not tempt the hand of fate! Draw back, draw back, before it is too late!'" Jia Yuan-chun is "selected for glorious promotion to the Imperial Bedchamber", but she tells her parents and grandmother that she is "walled up in That Place" and there is no use "of all this luxury and splendour if I am to be always separated from those I love". She is concerned about the destiny of her clan until death and has a strong presentiment that the Jia clan is bound to suffer a disaster, which makes her have a gnawing regret.

From Quiz "Journey to the West", a Chinese Magic Novel #3

Answer: He turned into the exact likeness of the original horse and joined the pilgrim team to fetch the scriptures.

The jade dragon in the Eagle's Sorrow Gorge used to be the son of Ao Run, the Dragon King of the Western Sea. Because he burnt up the bright pearls in the palace, his father reported him to the court of Heaven as a rebel. The Jade Emperor hung him up in mid-air and gave him three hundred strokes. Then Guanyin asked the Emperor to spare his life and taught him to serve Sanzang with his legs. When Sanzang and Sun Wukong arrived at the Eagle's Sorrow Gorge, the jade dragon ate the horse. When Guanyin appeared, he turned into the horse and served as Sanzang's mount. An ordinary horse wouldn't be able to cross the thousands of mountains and rivers to reach the Buddha-land on the Vulture Peak.

From Quiz "Journey to the West", a Chinese Magic Novel #2

Answer: to take possession of the treasure cassock

I like this story very much. A 270-year-old monk was tempted by a treasure and wanted to kill others to have it, even at the cost of a meditation hall. But he ended up killing himself, which showed a Buddhist lesson that greed leads to self-destruction. Bodhisattva Guanyin's Sanskrit name is Avalokiteoevara. He is very popular in China. So, unlike in India and countries in the West Regions, temples were built in China to worship Guanyin. (Wu Cheng-en based what happened during the journey to the West on the context of China though Sanzang travelled mostly outside China.) His full name in China is the Compassionate and Merciful Miraculous Savior from Suffering, the Bodhisattva Guanyin and Buddhism has it that he often comes to sufferers' rescue when hearing their plea for help by transforming himself into different forms. His most popular form in China is a woman. (Maybe Chinese relate kindness and benevolence more with women.) So Guanyin is a man in India and a woman in China.

From Quiz 'Journey to the West', a Chinese Magic Novel #1

Answer: A stone

In Chinese folklore, the stone birth means that the Monkey is dull and stupid and impenetrably thickheaded, so he is not easily tamed. Also the stone birth implies that the Monkey is sexless.

From Quiz "Fortress Besieged", a Modern Chinese Classic #2

Answer: Hairpin

Ah Liu was for sure a scoundrel but Fang Hung-chien was really too easy in his relationship with Miss Pao. Though it was Miss Pao who took the initiative, Fang did desire a sexual experience with her. The next morning after they slept together, Ah Liu, the waiter in charge of Fang's cabin, found three hairpins on the bed which were left behind by Fang and Miss Pao carelessly and blackmailed them afterwards. And Fang's relationship with Miss Pao spoiled his love for Tang Hsiao-fu in the end.

From Quiz The Heros of the "Water Margin" #2

Answer: An Daoquan

In Chapter 65, Song Jiang suffered from an ulcer or a carbuncle. Zhang Sun recommended An Daoquan (nicknamed the Skilled Doctor) from Jiankang District, so Song Jiang sent Zhang Sun to fetch him.

From Quiz Quotes from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" #3

Answer: Guo Jia

In Chapter 18, Guo Jia said this to assess the rivalry between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Guo Jia may be the most capable advisor of Cao Cao. What a pity he died very young. In this assessment, he suggested Cao Cao would excel over Yuan Shao by conduct, popular approval, administration, appreciation, policy, moral virtue, humanity, perspicacity, administrative capacity and war. Guandu Battle later proved his assessment correct.

From Quiz Quotes from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms' #2

Answer: Xu Shao

In Chapter 1, Xu Shao said this to comment on Cao Cao. "As a young man Cao Cao had been fond of hunting and delighted in songs and dancing. He was resourceful and full of guile." One day he went to inquire his future of Xu Shao and Xu said this.

From Quiz Ten Couples in " Water Margin"

Answer: because he would be exiled and didn't want to tie her down

Lin and his wife were the best couple in the book. "Not once have they quarrelled or even grown red in the face." Lin's wife was harassed by Young Master Gao a few times but Lin dared not fight back. Then Lin was framed by Marshal Gao, and tattooed and exiled to Cangzhou. So in spite of his father-in-law's opposition, Lin wrote an annulment in order that he wouldn't delay her happiness.

From Quiz The Heroes of the "Water Margin"

Answer: Zhang Shun

Though Li Jun, nicknamed the Turbulent River Dragon, is also good at swimming, Zhang Shun, nicknamed White Streak in the Waves, is surely the best. In Chapter 38, he beat Li Kui in a water fight after losing in a land fight.

From Quiz "Fortress Besieged", a Modern Chinese Classic

Answer: His prospective parents-in-law

After the death of his fiancée, Fang Hung-chien wrote a letter of condolence to his father-in-law. The letter touched his father-in-law a lot, so he decided to finance Fang's study with the amount set aside for the wedding and the dowry.

From Quiz Some Important Moments in "The Water Margin"

Answer: By winning the favor of Prince Duan, the future emperor, by playing football skillfully

The previous history of Gao Qiu is like this: as an exile, he was introduced to Dong Jiangshi by Liu Shiquan after amnesty, and then he was introduced to Su Junior, the Court Scholar by Dong, and then Su sent him to Wang Jinqing, the Young Prince Consort. One day Wang ordered him to send gifts to Prince Duan, and he accidentally showed his football skill in front of Prince Duan and thus won his favor. Afterwards, when Prince Duan was made the emperor, Gao Qiu was appointed as a marshal commanding the Imperial Guards. A famous Chinese critic once remarked that "The Water Margin" has a great beginning in that it starts with Gao Qiu the villain, rather than the 108 heroes. If it started with the 108 revolting heroes, it would mean that chaos stemmed from the confusion of the lower people. Since it starts with Gao Qiu, it means that chaos stemmed from the corruption of the upper strata. What is interesting is that some people claim that the Gao Qiu story shows that ancient Chinese invented the game of football (soccer). This saying makes me laugh out loud. What Gao Qiu played has nothing to do with the modern game of football.

From Quiz Quotes from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" #1

Answer: All three of them

In Chapter 1, they said this to swear brotherhood. Guan Yu was beheaded by Sun Quan, Wu's king in 220AD. A year later, Zhang Fei was killed by his subordinates because he whipped them when drunk. (Zhang owned a quick temper and was grieved very much by Guan's death so he drank a lot of wine.) Another two years later, Liu Bei died after being defeated by Wu in a revenge battle. So they did fulfill their sworn oath.

From Quiz The Three Kingdoms

Answer: 220AD

The Han Dynasty began in 206BC. In 220AD, the Han Dynasty ended, and the Three Kingdoms were born. The kingdom of Wei was overthrown by Jin and hence the Jin Dynasty began in 265AD. The last of the Kingdoms, Wu, was destroyed in 280AD by Jin.

From Quiz "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Part 3

Answer: Guan Yu's helmet

Guan Yu was pursuing Huang Zhong to the Changsha Bridge. Huang Zhong, knowing he stood no chance against Guan Yu's might, pulled his bow and aimed for Guan Yu's helmet. The arrow hit, causing Guan Yu to retreat due to Huang Zhong's excellent archery. Huang Zhong didn't kill Guan Yu because he saw Guan Yu as honorable.

From Quiz "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Part 2

Answer: Zhang Fei

Zhang Fei was the first to charge at Lu Bu. He did this to save Gongsun Zan, who was being pursued by Lu Bu. Guan Yu joined Zhang Fei a few moments later, followed by Liu Bei. Lu Bu could not withstand the three warriors and retreated after Liu Bei approached.

From Quiz "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" Part 1

Answer: 168

Emperor Huan, known as Liu Zhi died in the year 168, about 30 years before the Three Kingdoms conflicts started. Emperor Ling, known as Liu Hong, succeeded him.

From Quiz Simple Stuff About the Three Kingdoms

Answer: China

The Three Kingdoms (and their dynasties) were in China and spanned the period 220 AD - 280 AD.

From Quiz Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Answer: Xing Daorong

Xing Daorong carried this great axe but it did not stop him from falling to the Shu army.

From Quiz Chinese Classical Literature Quiz.

Answer: Sun Tzu's Art of War

Written in the Warring States Period (7th to 6th century BC), this book is one of the most famous classic Chinese books and no doubt the best known in military strategy and politics. Few are aware that the theory of warfare that Sun zi developed is about avoiding warfare.

From Quiz Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Answer: Lu Bu

This horse was called Red Hare and it was the fastest horse of the time.

From Quiz Greatest Chinese Novels

Answer: The Golden Lotus

No one knows who the actual author of the 'Jin Ping Mei' was, though there is speculation it could have been a schloar named Xiao Xiaosheng. Probably the first realist Chinese novel, it was published in 1610 during the latter years of the Ming Dynasty.

From Quiz Chinese Poetry

Answer: Tu Fu

From Quiz The Beauties in "A Dream of Red Mansions"

Answer: Jia Tan-chun

Jia Tan-chun is born to Jia Zhen and his concubine. She is shrewd and capable. Later she marries Zhou, a member of a faraway family in Hainan.

From Quiz "Journey to the West", a Chinese Magic Novel #3

Answer: He was converted to Buddhism and told to join the pilgrim team by Guanyin.

Zhu Wuneng used to be the Marshal Tian Peng in the Milky Way. Because he took some wine to seduce the moon maiden, the Jade Emperor sentenced him to two thousand hammer blows exile to the mortal world. His spirit had to find a womb to occupy, but he lost his way and entered the womb of a sow. So he looked like a pig. Guanyin converted him to Buddhism and told him to join the pilgrim team, but during the journey to the west, he was the most unstable in the team.

From Quiz "Journey to the West", a Chinese Magic Novel #2

Answer: Ksitigarbha

There are four Bodhisattvas in Buddhism: Guanyin (Sanskrit Avalokiteoevara), Samantabhadra, Manjusri and Ksitigarbha. Guanyin is the Bodhisattva of benevolence, Manjusri is the one of wisdom, Ksitigarbha is the one of practice and meditation and Ksitigarbha is the one of wish-fulfilling. In Chapter 23, Old Woman of Mount Li led Guanyin, Samantabhadra and Manjusri to test the piety of Sanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Wuneng and Sha Wujing; only Zhu Wuneng failed the test.

From Quiz 'Journey to the West', a Chinese Magic Novel #1

Answer: Because he was "clever enough to go through the fall, find the source, and come out in one piece".

All monkeys bathed in a stream and wondered where that water came from. So they reached the source, where a waterfall cascaded from a spring. Then a monkey made the suggestion that whoever went through the fall and came out in one piece would be made the king. Among all monkeys, only the stone monkey met the challenge. In the end he led all monkeys into the Cave of the Water Curtain. It is said that Wu Cheng-en modelled the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits and the Cave of the Water Curtain on a mountain in his hometown, Lianyun Gang. Now the mountain has become a famous place for sightseers.

From Quiz "Fortress Besieged", a Modern Chinese Classic #2

Answer: The Two Items From the West Which Have Been Lasting in Chinese Society as a Whole

Principal Lv of the district's provincial high school asked Fang Hung-chien to deliver a speech to the students as a scholar back from overseas, on "A Reevaluation of the Influences of Western Civilization on Chinese History". Fang looked through many books carefully for the lecture material and did prepare some notes. But the next morning he mistakenly wore his brother's gown and left the notes behind. So on the platform he changed impromptu to the topic of "The Two Items From the West Which Have Been Lasting in Chinese Society as a Whole". According to him, the two items are opium and syphilis, which made the audience roar with laughter. The topic was of course very inappropriate and made the principal very angry.

From Quiz The Heros of the "Water Margin" #2

Answer: Jiang Jing

In Chapter 41, at Yellow Gate Mountain, four bold fellows blocked Liangshan troops and Jiang Jing (nicknamed the Magic Calculator) was among them. As we are told, "A clever fellow, he was a skilled mathematician. In ten thousand calculations, he was never off an iota." Later these four heroes joined the Liangshan band.

From Quiz Quotes from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" #3

Answer: Xiahou Dun

In Chapter 18, Xiahou Dun shouted this when swallowing his left eye after being shot by an arrow. Xiaohou was a bold but rash general of Cao Cao. He was sent to attack Lu Bu and fought with Gao Sun, Lu's general. Cao Xin, also one of Lu's generals, secretly shot an arrow and wounded Xiaohou's left eye. Xia Hou pulled out the arrow and swallowed his eye.

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