The Golden Lotus (金瓶梅) has long provoked intense debate. The narrative is set against the troubled reign of Song Huizong (宋徽宗). The author uses Liangshan (水泊梁山) imagery and social backdrop to expose official corruption and popular hardship. The plot centers on Pan Jinlian (潘金莲) and the two Wu brothers. Pan Jinlian is sold in childhood and passes through servitude before arriving at the household of Zhang the wealthy man (张大户). There she becomes involved in a clandestine affair with Zhang. To preserve appearances Zhang arranges Pan's marriage to the meek pancake seller Wu Dalang (武大郎). Married life brings neither love nor peace. Pan resents her situation and continues to provoke scandal in the neighborhood. Madam Yu (余氏) discovers the affair and forces Pan from the house. Pan later returns with Zhang's secret assistance. The couple buy a house and settle with the aid of the neighbor Wangpo (王婆), who becomes a meddling accomplice. Wu Dalang endures humiliation while trying to keep his household afloat. Meanwhile Wu Song (武松) returns from years away. He trained at Shaolin Temple (少林寺) and endured hardships while in exile near Chai Jin (柴进). Passing Jingyang Ridge (景阳冈), he drinks at a tavern despite warnings and later kills a ferocious tiger with his bare hands. His deed wins official reward in Qinghe County (清河县) and popular acclaim. Wu Song's fame contrasts with the private degradations within Pan's household and sets in motion further conflicts. Through vivid scenes of domestic intrigue and street life, the novel exposes the dark underside of human desire and the corrosive effects of power. It combines detailed social observation with moral severity. The result is a sustained critique of private vice and public decay. FREE transcripts of the audio files are available for download at: https://www.truelake.com/qrpages/pingshufreedownloads/

金瓶梅自问世以来争议不断，既为奇书亦遭非议。作者借宋徽宗时代之世局与水泊梁山等背景，映照朝野腐败与民间疾苦。全书以潘金莲与武家兄弟的悲欢为主线。潘金莲幼年被卖，辗转入张大户之家，后与张大户暗结私情。张大户为保体面，将她嫁与窝囊的武大郎。婚后潘金莲心生怨怼，常以姿色招惹街坊，致村里非议。余氏发觉后逼迫驱逐，潘氏辗转又回并得张氏暗中帮扶，后与武大郎购屋定居，邻里王婆介入诸事。武大郎隐忍维持生计，却常受羞辱。武松少林习武，历险归乡，经景阳冈力擒猛虎，威名远播，既得乡里赞誉，也引出后续纷争。小说通过家事丑行与社会风貌的交织，深刻揭示人性阴暗、欲望与权力的互相侵蚀，既有细腻的市井描写，也有沉重的时代批判。 音频文件的字幕稿可在以下网址免费下载： https://www.truelake.com/qrpages/pingshufreedownloads/