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Sword of the Yue Maiden
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Wikipedia article
'Sword of the Yue Maiden', alternatively translated as 'Yue Maiden's Sword', is a wuxia novelette by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It was first serialised in January 1970 in the Hong Kong newspaper 'Ming Pao Evening Supplement'.The date conforms to the data published in Chen Zhenhui (), 'Wuxia Xiaoshuo Xiaoyao Tan' (), 2000, Huizhi Publishing Company (), p. 58. Although this is the last wuxia short work by the author, its historical setting, in the Spring and Autumn period, is the earliest among Jin Yong's works chronologically.
Plot
The story is set in southern China during the Spring and Autumn period, against the backdrop of the conflict between the states of Wu and Yue. A team of swordsmen from Wu defeats the best swordsmen of Yue. Fan Li, an adviser to King Goujian of Yue, discovers Aqing, a young shepherdess, who defeats the Wu swordsmen with ease.
It is revealed that Aqing learned her skills while playing mock sword duels with a white gibbon. Fan Li allows Aqing to train the soldiers of Yue in swordsmanship. Aqing gradually falls in love with Fan Li. King Goujian of Yue finally defeats his rival, King Fuchai of Wu, after enduring hardship and humiliation. Fan Li is reunited with his lover Xi Shi, who was sent as a concubine to Fuchai. Aqing intends to kill Xi Shi but is taken aback by Xishi's beauty. Aqing accidentally hurts Xi Shi with her inner energy while thrusting her sword towards Xi Shi, even though the blade did not touch Xi Shi at all. Xi Shi clutches her bosom in pain, and the expression on her face is described as "so beautiful that it will take away the soul of any man who looks upon her". This is the origin of the Chinese phrase "Xi Shi clutching her bosom" , which refers to a woman's beauty being enhanced when she is in a state of distress or agony.
Main characters
* 'Aqing'
* 'Fan Li'
* 'Xi Shi'
* 'Goujian'
* 'Wen Zhong'
* 'Elder Bai'
Adaptations
In 1986, Hong Kong's ATV produced a 20-episode television series "The Supersword Lady" based on the novel, starring Moon Lee as Aqing.
See also
* Yuen
References
Category:1970 novels
Category:Novels by Jin Yong
Category:Novels first published in serial form
Category:Works originally published in Ming Pao
Category:Novels set in the Zhou dynasty
Category:Chinese novels adapted into television series
Category:Novels set in Zhejiang
Category:Novels set in Jiangsu
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