They usually also show the human side. The people in the besieged city may face hunger, fear, and internal disputes. The novel may explore how different characters react, whether they fight bravely or try to find a way to escape. And in some novels, the besieged city can be a symbol of a certain social or personal situation, like in 'Fortress Besieged' where it represents the complex relationship web of the characters.
Many of these novels also have a vivid description of the environment. When a city is besieged, the desolate scene outside the city, the tense atmosphere within the city walls, and the changes in the city's appearance over time are often depicted. This helps to set the mood and make the readers better understand the situation of the siege.
There might be other novels that touch on the theme of besieging a city in Chinese literature. However, 'Fortress Besieged' is a very prominent one. It uses a lot of witty language and sharp observations to show the complex human nature and the situation within the 'city' of different concepts.
"Besieging Wei to Save Zhao" was one of the famous battles in ancient Chinese history. The original text in classical Chinese was "Records of the Historian·Biography of Lord Pingyuan". Lord Pingyuan's prime minister, Zhao, heard that the general of Wei had surrounded the capital of Wei. Zhao sent Lian Po to Wei to rescue Zhao. Lian Po said,"He who serves others with his beauty has no wise men in the country." So he went to Wei and asked Wei to open the camp and sue for peace. The Northern Wei Dynasty knew that Lian Po had surrendered, so they lifted the siege of the Zhao army. In classical Chinese, the phrase "Besieging Wei to save Zhao" referred to the Warring States Period when the envoy of Zhao, Lord Pingyuan, asked for help from Wei. When Wei General Wei besieged the capital of Wei (today's Luoyang City, Henan Province), Zhao sent Lianpo to lead the army to rescue him. Under Lianpo's leadership, the Zhao army finally succeeded in resolving the siege of the Wei Capital.
The characters in such novels usually have complex relationships. In a city, people from different backgrounds come together. So, there are stories of friendship, love, and competition among them. They also face the pressure of urban life like high housing prices and intense job competition, which are often reflected in the novels.
Many Chinese novels about love often emphasize the concept of fate. For example, in traditional novels, lovers may be brought together by some mysterious force. And they usually have a strong sense of family and social context influencing the love. In 'A Dream of Red Mansions', the love between the characters is also restricted by the family's decline and social rules.
One characteristic is that they often highlight the heroism of the people. For example, the revolutionaries were fearless in the face of danger. They were willing to sacrifice for the great cause of the liberation of the country and the people.
One characteristic is the detailed description of the game world. For example, the settings of different maps, classes, and skills in the game are often elaborated in great detail, making readers feel as if they are in the game.
Well, in these Chinese novels, the guardians are typically fearless. They are the front - line defenders against any form of danger. Their strength can come from various sources, like inborn abilities or special training. As for the priests, they are often the ones with deep knowledge of the spiritual realm. They are the advisers in times of crisis. Their actions are often more mysterious. They can communicate with the gods or spirits in some novels. And the relationship between guardians and priests can be very interesting. Sometimes they cooperate closely, while other times there may be misunderstandings or power imbalances between them.
One characteristic is the rich mythology. These novels often draw on a vast array of traditional Chinese myths, creating complex worlds of gods and devils. For example, in 'Journey to the West', each god has their own special powers and domains, and devils have different forms and abilities. Another characteristic is the moral lessons. Usually, good triumphs over evil, teaching readers about right and wrong.
The exploration of first love is also common. Chinese school - life novels may delicately depict the shy and pure feelings of the characters when they first fall in love. It shows the impact of these budding emotions on their study and life, and how they learn to balance between love and other important aspects of school life like exams and friendships.
Many Chinese novels in the list have complex plots. For example, 'Dream of the Red Chamber' has a very intricate web of relationships and family politics. They also often have deep cultural roots. 'Journey to the West' is full of Buddhist and Taoist elements.