At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, China was going through a difficult time: the Qing dynasty, which had ruled for several centuries, was living out its last days, the country was attacked from all sides by colonialists, which led to numerous wars and popular uprisings. In the center of the narrative of the satirical novel "Flowers in the Sea of Evil" is the life story of the influential official-diplomat Jin Wenqing and his concubine Fu Caiyun. Tseng Pu openly laughs at the mores of the ruling elite, which in the 20th century still chooses a happy day to resolve state issues, shows debauchery and venality, blinkery and embezzlement, which entangled the imperial court . . .. Classics of Chinese literature. The first Chinese novel to include descriptions of other countries— Russia, Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. — A satirical novel in which the author depicts the mores of his modern society, exposes its vices and seeks ways to improve. — Tseng Pu is a Chinese writer, poet, translator and journalist from the early years of the Republic of China. — Translated by the famous sinologist Vladimir Semanov. — Premium edition: high-quality paper, picture on the flyleaf, foil on the cover.