杜騙新書 by active 16th century-17th century Yingyu Zhang
杜騙新書 (The Book of Swindles), compiled by Zhang Yingyu during the late Ming Dynasty, is a seminal collection of short stories documenting the various forms of de
杜騙新書 (The Book of Swindles), compiled by Zhang Yingyu during the late Ming Dynasty, is a seminal collection of short stories documenting the various forms of deception, fraud, and cunning schemes prevalent in 17th-century Chinese society. As one of the earliest examples of literature focused on criminal deception, the work provides a unique window into the social dynamics, urban life, and legal challenges of the era. Each entry details the methods of con artists and the subsequent outcomes, serving as both a cautionary guide and a vivid historical record of the underworld during the Ming period. This classic text remains a significant primary source for historians, scholars of literature, and readers interested in the development of Chinese vernacular fiction and legal history.
#history #ming #literature #fraud #china #folklore
