In this episode, Rereading the Stone explores the subtext of a rather oblique discussion between Xifeng and Jia Lian, and Qin Zhong’s descent into the Yellow Springs is excavated. What lies beneath words and symbolic accoutrement, and what does it mean that the Ministers of the Underworld have already heard the legends of the magical jade? 

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While Yuan Chun ascends to palace halls of Heavenly Grace, Qin Zhong is dragged away to the Yellow Springs. Why don’t we learn directly what Yuan Chuan thinks of her new position? Is this a commentary on the author’s part? And why can’t Baoyu try harder in his interactions with Lin Daiyu? Why are his gifts so thoughtless? C’mon, man!

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Still outside the Jia compound and the city walls, Baoyu and Qin Zhong further explore the vicissitudes of youth, love, commitment, and debts both spiritual and material. Xifeng tries to profit from the business of betrothal, while Qin Zhong lends his heart out to Sapientia. 

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Whereas the last chapter was heavy, even somewhat brutal, this chapter of Hong lou meng (Dream of the Red Chamber) gets our protagonist and his buddy Qin Zhong out of the Jia compound, outside the city walls, and into the open air. On-going funerary matters aren’t going to prevent Baoyu from enjoying a scenic trip and maybe even learning a little about rural agricultural life. A roadside encounter between Baoyu and “the second girl” leaves fantastical impressions that seem to diverge from reality along multiple dimensions.

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Xifeng lets power get to her in Ch. 14 of Dream of the Red Chamber 紅樓夢, while shedding real tears for the dearly departed Keqing, and the young Prince of Bei-jing meets our legendary jade-in-mouth protagonist. We discuss historical matters of yinyang philosophy and supposedly “geomantic” belief systems, as well as the quasi-monetary system of tokens and scripts internal to the expansive Jia household. 

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Qin Keqing’s funeral is upon us, and Rereading the Stone is learning all about Daoist and Buddhist funerary rites and mourning rituals, and pondering the dialectics of mourning and excess, as Jia Zhen buys an official title for Jia Rong to elevate Qin Keqing in death, and as Wang Xifeng takes on more responsibilities than may be advisable.

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Bonus Content! By popular request, check out our summary episode for chapters 1 through 12 of  Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Dream of the Red Chamber! This is mostly a plot summary for clarification and review, but we also talk a little here and there, giving general reflections on and reactions to the progress of the novel so far. Be sure to comment and tell us if this is helpful and whether you’d like to see more of these kinds of episodes in the future.

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A turning point in Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Dream of the Red Chamber, Rereading the Stone is there for when Xifeng takes on new managerial responsibilities and as cracks appear in the Ning household façade, Jia Zhen and You Shi each acting peculiar in unique ways. We also put on our economic historian caps for a moment to weigh out some of the most significant prices and money sums encountered so far in the novel, in order to get a sense for just how much Jia Zhen is spending in connection with Qin Keqing’s funerary arrangements. Finally, we talk about some high quality wood; it’s the best!

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Rereading the Stone takes a darker turn, as Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Dream of the Red Chamber begins its second 12-part chapter cycle (Chapter 13). Will Xifeng heed the dream advice of Qin Keqing’s departing soul? As if to lighten the mood, this episode is noteworthy for its range of comparative materials. 

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Jia Rui and Rereading the Stone plunge head first into the alluring yet vacuous realm of fantasy in this chapter of Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Dream of the Red Chamber. We trace the series of events that lead to Jia Rui’s receiving the magical precious mirror of the romantics (風月寶鑑 fengyue baojian). This second and final part of the Jia Rui saga is an eye-opening, darkly humorous episode not to be missed. Along the way, Kevin discusses the vagaries of the modern ginseng procurement, and Will draws parallel to Infinite Jest.

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