Novel Ju Chun Yuan Published, Telling the Century-Long Development of Juchunyuan
Chronicling the century-long development of Juchunyuan, and presenting the history of Fujian through its cuisine
The full-length novel Ju Chun Yuan has been published
Lu Yongjian was explaining his creative train of thought.
Not long ago, the historical novel Ju Chun Yuan written by Lu Yongjian, published by the Straits Literature and Art Publishing House, was officially accessible to readers. Recently, a reporter interviewed Lu Yongjian, offering us a glimpse into the real history and Fujian stories behind his portrayal of “Juchunyuan.”
Presenting the history of Fujian through its cuisine
It is said that Ju Chun Yuan is a 345,000-word novel that chronicles the over-100-year development of the renowned Fujian cuisine establishment, Juchunyuan.
In the novel, five chefs from Fujian cuisine -- Shi Baozhong, Ye Yirong, Zheng Chunfa, Deng Xiangyun, and Ye Zhongtao -- appear in turn, presenting the historical journey of Fujian cuisine’s inheritance, continuity, innovation, and growth. Among them, Zheng Chunfa, a real historical figure, stands out as a key figure in the novel. Under his stewardship, “Juchun Tea Garden” transformed into “Juchunyuan,” and he pioneered the signature Fujian dish, “Fotiaoqiang.”
Fujian cuisine is deeply connected to the region’s climate, soil, and natural resources. Through the story of Fujian cuisine, the novel paints a picture of the province’s history, combining grand historical narratives with detailed storytelling, offering a glimpse into the social and cultural fabric of the region.
As early as 2019, Lu Yongjian began to conceptualize the story for his novel Ju Chun Yuan. During this period, he reviewed a wealth of historical materials and archives, which helped him form the initial framework of the novel.
“From reviewing the tedious and complex company archives to eventually forming a novel, this process requires a lot of work. After exploring the history of Juchunyuan and Fujian cuisine, as well as delving into the history of Fuzhou and Fujian, I made two key expansions in the novel,” said Lu Yongjian. The first was to set the novel’s timeframe from 1842, when Fuzhou became one of the five treaty ports open to foreign trade, to 1949, when the People’s Republic of China was founded, covering over a century of history. The second was to weave significant historical events and figures from Fuzhou during this period into the novel, shaping the fate of its characters. This is reflected in the description on the back cover: “presenting the history of Fujian through its cuisine.”
In 2024, Ju Chun Yuan was selected as a project supported by the Special Fund for Literature and Art Development in Fujian Province. Lu Yongjian noted that following the book’s publication, particularly following discussions with the management of the Juchunyuan Group, a consensus was reached: the historical novel Ju Chun Yuan would contribute to the inheritance and promotion of Fujian cuisine. Moreover, if adapted into a film or TV series, it would greatly promote not only Fujian cuisine but also the province’s cultural tourism industry.
The historical novel Ju Chun Yuan has been published.
Encompassing major historical events in Fuzhou over the past 100 years
Ju Chun Yuan is a historical novel that encompasses major historical events and figures from Fuzhou over the past 100 years.
The heroic act of destroying opium at Humen was a defining moment in Lin Zexu’s life, but it also brought significant challenges. The humiliating and disgraceful Treaty of Nanking made Fuzhou one of the five treaty ports open to foreign trade. This is also the beginning of the story in Ju Chun Yuan. With the opening of trade, foreigners turned their attention to Fujian tea, particularly the Russians who established China’s first mechanical tea factory in “Fanchuanpu,” profoundly impacting Zheng Chunfa, the protagonist standing at a crossroad in his life; What Yan Fu and Liu Buchan did before they went to the UK for further study inspired Zheng Chunfa to make up his mind to make a difference; The defeat in the Sino-French Majiang Naval Battle sparked street protests led by figures like Lin Shu. Under the pressure of public outcry, Zhang Peilun and He Ruzhang were dismissed from their positions. Zheng Chunfa, along with other citizens, celebrated the result by setting off firecrackers; Zheng Chunfa befriended Zhou Lian, the Fujian Provincial Inspector (later the Provincial Governor), who inspired and encouraged him to create the signature dish “Fotiaoqiang,” which helped him gain both confidence and momentum; He was invited by Chen Baochen, who had been dismissed after the defeat in the Majiang Naval Battle, to prepare a family banquet; Zheng Chunfa participated in a calligraphy and painting exhibition that brought together prominent public figures such as Chen Baochen, He Zhendai, Chen Shouqi, and Wang Renkan; Later, he revitalized Juchunyuan; He secretly supported the revolutionaries of the Guangzhou Uprising, lamenting the sacrifices of the “Ten Heroes of Fujian;” He befriended Peng Shousong, a key figure in Fuzhou’s restoration, and hosted Sun Yat-sen during his visit to Fujian; In Anmin Alley, he had a chance encounter with Bing Xin, and later welcomed Yu Dafu, a famous writer and “foodie,” during his visit to Fujian during the War of Resistance against Japan. In essence, Ju Chun Yuan encapsulates nearly half of the modern history of notable figures in Fuzhou.
Lu Yongjian shared with the reporter that many of the historical stories in the book are imaginative and literary adaptations based on newly discovered historical materials. For instance, he learned from a friend specializing in naval yard history that in 1908, the Qing government hosted a grand banquet in Xiamen for the visiting American “Great White Fleet,” with over 10,000 attendees. Song Shou, the Governor General of Fujian and Zhejiang at the time, and Sa Zhenbing, the Commander of the Guangdong Navy, made meticulous preparations. Inspired by this historical event, he included a scene in the novel where Zheng Chunfa led his apprentices and more than a hundred members of the Fuzhou Culinary Association to receive the fleet in Xiamen. The grand highlight of the banquet, featuring the renowned “Fotiaoqiang”, astonished everyone present.
In addition to a wealth of historical events and figures, the book also captures the unique customs and traditions of Fuzhou, such as flying kites and climbing Wushan Mountain during the Double Ninth Festival, dragon boat races on the Qiongdong River during the Dragon Boat Festival, the lively taverns of Cangxiazhou, the sweet fragrance of jasmine along the Bailong and Wulong rivers, the famous hot springs of Fuzhou, and the historic Sanfang Qixiang.
Showcasing the everyday life and human struggles in the unnoticed gap of history
While writing Ju Chun Yuan, Lu Yongjian followed the principle of “staying true to major events while allowing flexibility in minor details.” Not only did he faithfully reproduce history, but he also portrayed the genuine emotions of each character. The historical figures in the novel are vividly brought to life through their distinct traits shaped by their era. The story explores both the deep bonds of mentorship across generations and the struggles and helplessness of ordinary people caught in the tide of history, with their fates swaying amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life and emotional entanglements.
The rise and fall of Juchunyuan, the vicissitudes of Zheng Chunfa, and the changes of the times are all true reflections of history. Meanwhile, the circulation and competition for the secret recipe, along with the love and hate story between Miao Yue and her daughter Gao Xian, though not recorded in history, are vividly brought to life in the novel through vivid imagination, showcasing the delicate emotions, joys, sorrows, and struggles of Fuzhou’s people in that era. The fireworks and brilliance of the times will continue to glow brightly, and those genuine emotions and past stories will flow through the long river of history, like Juchunyuan itself.
Thus, Ju Chun Yuan not only provides readers with a deeper understanding of history, but also deepens their appreciation of the lives and struggles of the characters shaped by that era.
As Wu Simo, the editor of Ju Chun Yuan, puts it, this novel provides an exhaustive account of traditional Fujian cuisine’s culinary techniques and their evolution, while also providing deep insights into the changing lifestyles and ideologies of the Fuzhou people across different historical periods. It paints an epic picture of the intertwining of social landscape, cultural customs, and culinary heritage. Readers can not only enjoy the pleasure brought by and rediscover Fuzhou’s grandeur as a historical and cultural city, but also appreciate the diligence, simplicity, wisdom, and perseverance of the Fujian people.
A multifaceted artist with five national titles
Anyone who is familiar with Lu Yongjian knows that he is a member of five national associations: China Writers Association, China Calligraphy Association, China Literature and Art Critics Association, China Photographers Association, and China Television Artists Association. As a result, he is often referred to as a “multifaceted artist.”
As a provincial government official, Lu Yongjian dedicates his spare time to extensive reading and diligent pursuits, making significant achievements in literature, art, cultural research, and professional endeavors.
In the interview, the reporter learned that Lu Yongjian, a native of Pucheng, truly immersed himself in extensive writing in 1984 when he became the editor of Public Security Chronicle at the Pucheng Public Security Bureau. This role gave him the chance to showcase his expertise.
“At that time, there were no photocopiers, so I had to transcribe all the archival materials by hand. During those years, I pushed myself with intense practice, setting a daily goal of at least 5,000 words. Social science books like department chronicles demand precision in writing. This might have shaped my writing style later on,” said Lu Yongjian.
From the rigorous training he received while working on the Public Security Chronicle to writing the 1.1-million-word Complete Guide to County (City) Level Leadership Positions, it not only altered his life trajectory but also reinforced his aspirations to document history, capture the present, express his patriotic sentiments, and commit himself to creative work.
In his essay The Book That Changed My Life, Lu Yongjian wrote: “Confucius said, ‘Aim high, and you’ll achieve something worthwhile; aim for the middle, and you’ll fall short; aim low, and you’ll achieve nothing.’” He expressed a similar sentiment in his essay An Unfinished Work. This unfinished work, Wuyi Mountain Green Bamboo Stele Forest, closely mirrors the choices he has made throughout his life. It represents his dedication to staying true to the original intention, with an unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting outstanding cultural heritage.
As a brilliant star in the vast expanse of Chinese civilization, Fujian boasts a long and rich history, with deep cultural roots, encompassing a wealth of traditions and diverse cultural elements that blend and develop together. During the interview with Lu Yongjian, we were surrounded by the enchanting spring scenery of Fuzhou and the vast Minjiang River, which has witnessed the tides of modern Chinese history. The occasional splashes of waves may represent his work Ju Chun Yuan, or perhaps signal the beginning of his next endeavor. (Fuzhou Evening News Reporter: Guan Shu/Text; Lin Shuangwei/Photo)