The Story of the White Jade
A sweeping tale of virtue, fate, and human character set against the moral landscape of late imperial China.
The Story of the White Jade unfolds in the world of ancestral duty, filial devotion, and the delicate balance between fortune and misfortune. At its heart stands Zhang Bo, a man of uncommon generosity and moral strength, whose life becomes a testament to the enduring power of virtue.
After the death of their father far from home, Zhang Bo and his younger brother are forced into a difficult choice - one that separates their paths forever. While one remains behind to honor their parents’ distant graves, Zhang Bo returns to rebuild the family legacy. Through diligence, compassion, and unwavering ethical conduct, he rises to prominence, earning the respect of all who know him.
Yet this is not merely a story of prosperity.
As drought, famine, and hidden ambitions test the stability of society, Zhang Bo’s benevolence transforms him into a savior of the people - distributing grain, protecting the vulnerable, and embodying the ideal of Confucian virtue. In response, the cosmos itself seems to take notice: a mysterious dream heralds the birth of extraordinary children, suggesting that moral action echoes beyond the human realm.
But as new figures enter his life - strangers with uncertain intentions - the fragile harmony of family and fortune begins to shift. Beneath courtesy and kinship, deeper tensions stir, setting the stage for betrayal, ambition, and the unfolding of fate.
Read less
At a glance
About the series
Rediscover the great epics, mysteries and chronicles of dynastic China: gods and generals, swindlers and scholars, courtesans, ghosts and emperors, in complete English translations.
