Hónglóumèng Bǔ 紅樓夢補
Supplement to the Dream of the Red Chamber by 歸鋤子
About the work
Hónglóumèng Bǔ 紅樓夢補 is a 48-chapter Qīng-dynasty sequel novel (xùshū 續書) to Hónglóu Mèng 紅樓夢 KR4k0131, composed under the pseudonym Guī Chúzǐ 歸鋤子 (“Returning Hoe Master”). The text includes a publisher’s preface (xù 序), an authorial preface (Hónglóumèng Bǔ xù 紅樓夢補序), and 48 chapters of narrative.
Tiyao
No tiyao found in source.
Abstract
The authorial preface (Hónglóumèng Bǔ xù 紅樓夢補序), included in the Kanripo text, is dated “嘉慶己卯，重陽前三日” (three days before the Double Ninth Festival in Jiājìng jǐmǎo / 1819). This firmly dates the composition of the work to 1819. The preface begins with a meditation on the moon as an emblem of permanent constancy (月如無恨，月自常圓) and frames the novel as a companion piece to the preceding Hòu Hónglóumèng 後紅樓夢 KR4k0139, which had appeared earlier: “此『後』『續』兩書所以複作也” (This is why both the “Hou” and “Xu” books came to be written again). The author indicates that the existing Hòu Hónglóumèng and other continuations had shortcomings — leaving Lín Dàiyù 林黛玉 at a disadvantage — and wrote the Bǔ to correct this.
The preface stakes out the author’s approach: to restore Dàiyù to primacy (“黛先釵後” — Dàiyù first, Bǎochāi second), reunite the lovers, and deliver moral retribution to villains while rewarding the virtuous. The 48 chapters narrate the continued story of the Jiǎ household, including Bǎoyù’s return home, Dàiyù’s revival, the Jiǎ family’s restoration, and various marriages and imperial rewards for survivors. Chapter 48 concludes with “過除夕了結絳珠緣 撕改冊驚醒紅樓夢” — the Jiǎng Zhū (Dàiyù’s spirit) karma is resolved and the dream of the Red Chamber is finally dispelled.
The pseudonym Guī Chúzǐ 歸鋤子 (“Returning Hoe Master”) evokes the Táo Qián 陶潛 tradition of the recluse who returns to agricultural simplicity; the author’s real identity is unknown. No CBDB entry has been located.
Translations and research
No substantial secondary literature located.
Links
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