''Sword of the Yue Maiden'', alternatively translated as ''Yue Maiden's Sword'', is a

wuxia ( ), which literally means "martial heroes", is a genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists in ancient China. Although is traditionally a form of historical fiction, its popularity has caused it to be adapted f ...

novelette by

Jin Yong Louis Cha Leung-yung (; 10 March 1924 – 30 October 2018), better known by his pen name Jin Yong (), pronounced "Gum Yoong" in Cantonese, was a Chinese wuxia (" martial arts and chivalry") novelist and essayist who co-founded the Hong Kong d ...

(Louis Cha). It was first serialised in January 1970 in the Hong Kong newspaper '' Ming Pao Evening Supplement''. Although this is the last

short work by the author, its historical setting, in the

Spring and Autumn period The Spring and Autumn period was a period in Chinese history from approximately 770 to 476 BC (or according to some authorities until 403 BC) which corresponds roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou period. The period's name derives fr ...

, is the earliest among Jin Yong's works chronologically.

Plot

The story is set in southern China during the

, 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 Fan Li () from the Spring and Autumn period, was an ancient Chinese military strategist, politician, and businessman. Fàn Li was an important political and military advisor to Goujian, the king of Yue. He later was known as Tao Zhu Gong (陶� ...

, an adviser to King

Goujian Goujian () (reigned 496–465 BC) was the king of the Kingdom of Yue (越國, present-day northern Zhejiang) near the end of the Spring and Autumn period (春秋). He was the son of Marquis Yunchang. Goujian's reign coincided with arguably th ...

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 Fuchai (reigned 495–473BC), sometimes also written Fucha, was the last king of the state of Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. His armies constructed important canals linking the Yellow, Ji, and Huai River systems of th ...

of Wu, after enduring hardship and humiliation. Fan Li is reunited with his lover

Xi Shi Xi Shi (Hsi Shih; , ) was, according to legends, one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China. She was said to have lived during the end of the Spring and Autumn period in Zhuji, the capital of the ancient State of Yue. In traditional st ...

, 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 () *

() *

Wen Zhong Wen Zhong () (died 472 BC) was an advisor in the state of Yue in the Spring and Autumn period. He was a native of Ying in the State of Chu. After Yue was defeated by the state of Wu in 494 BC, Wen Zhong bribed Bo Pi, the advisor to the lead ...

() * 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 Moon Lee Choi-Fung (; born 14 February 1965) is a former Hong Kong actress and stuntwoman who frequently played roles related to the Hong Kong action and martial arts genres in films and TV serials. She was particularly notable in the sub-genre ...

as Aqing.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sword Of The Yue Maiden 1970 novels Novels by Jin Yong Novels first published in serial form Works originally published in Ming Pao Novels set in the Zhou dynasty Chinese novels adapted into television series Novels set in Zhejiang Novels set in Jiangsu

Plot

Main characters

Adaptations

See also

References