CHAPTER 1

In which an introductory story of a good scholar points the moral of the book

CHAPTER 2

Provincial Graduate Wang meets a fellow candidate in a village school. Chou Chin passes the examination in his old age

CHAPTER 3

Examiner Chou picks out true talent. Butcher Hu cuts up rough after good news

CHAPTER 4

In which a monk invited to say masses is involved in a lawsuit, and a country gentleman out to raise money runs into trouble

CHAPTER 5

The Wang brothers deliberate how to make a concubine the mistress of the house. Yen Ta-yu dies

CHAPTER 6

A gentleman's illness confounds his boatmen. An injured widow accuses her brother-in-law

CHAPTER 7 Examiner Fan examines the list of candidates to repay his patron's kindness. Secretary Wang in the Ministry of Works shows kindness to a friend

CHAPTER 8

In which Wang Hui meets a friend in need, and the Lou brothers come upon a poor acquaintance

CHAPTER 9

The Lou brothers redeem a friend. Second Captain Liu assumes a false name to intimidate boatmen

CHAPTER 10

Compiler Lu chooses a brilliant son-in-law, and Chu Hsien-fu marries into a rich family

English