Feng Menglong

Chinese writer

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June 26, 2026

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Feng Menglong was a prominent Chinese writer and editor during the late Ming dynasty. He is best known for his contributions to vernacular fiction, particularly his role in popularizing short stories. Feng Menglong edited and compiled several influential anthologies, most notably Jingu qiguan (Wonders Old and New), published in 1624. This collection showcased a wide range of colloquial short stories, significantly contributing to the development and appreciation of popular literature in China. His work helped elevate vernacular fiction to a respected literary form, influencing subsequent generations of writers and readers.1

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China
Literature and scholarship
…editor in this realm was Feng Menglong, whose creations and influence dominate the best-known anthology, Jingu qiguan (“Wonders Old and New”), published in Suzhou in 1624.
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…editor in this realm was Feng Menglong, whose creations and influence dominate the best-known anthology, Jingu qiguan (“Wonders Old and New”), published in Suzhou in 1624.
Read More