“Shu Ryofu” (Crimson Dragon) Akira Banno Published by Tokuma Bunko (First edition, November 1995) Price: 580 yen ◎ There are signs of aging such as yellowing, stains, and dirt. There is no problem with reading. ◎ The spine of the cover is faded. ◎ There are stains on the bottom edge (see photo). ◎ There are about 45 pages with creasing on the bottom (see photos). At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the dynasty was consumed by internal strife, and rebellions by the White Lotus Society broke out in various places. Zhu Yuanzhang, a wandering monk from Huaixi, throws himself into the rebel army and quickly rises to prominence. Thus, three anti-Yuan forces came to stand in a three-way alliance in the Yangtze River basin. Zhu Yuanzhang, who welcomed the genius strategist Liu Ji into his camp with the utmost courtesy, followed his advice and faced the famous Battle of Poyang Lake in history. “Nanzosore Shinsoku Naru” (What is that swiftness?) Akira Banno Published by Tokuma Bunko (First edition, October 2001) Price: 514 yen ◎ There are signs of aging such as yellowing, stains, and dirt. There is no problem with reading. ◎ There is a diagonal fold on about 1 page. ◎ There is a scratch on the top edge (see photos). “Nanzosore Shinsoku Naru” depicts Sima Zhongda, the General of the Flying Cavalry of Wei, who shows lightning-fast actions but also caution, not crossing a bridge without tapping it first. Through his flexible military strategy, he thwarted the “Northern Expedition” of Zhuge Liang. Also included is “So-o” (Azure Hawk), which depicts a righteous official of the Han Dynasty who, without currying favor with power, and not yielding to bribes or threats, was just, impartial, and incorruptible, which brought the wrath of the Empress Dowager and led to his beheading. This is a collection of masterpieces of Chinese novels that add new interpretations to the heroes and beauties who shine in Chinese history. #AkiraBanno #Akira_Banno #book #JapaneseLiterature/Novels/Stories