Chapter 1: The Identity of Lao Can
Lao Can was a mysterious middle-aged man who called himself "Lao Can," meaning "an old and weak person." Dressed simply, he looked like an ordinary traveler, but his conversation revealed extraordinary wisdom and insight.
Lao Can's background was a mystery. Some said he had once been a court official who was demoted for speaking frankly with remonstrances; others said he was a recluse scholar weary of secular life. Whatever the truth, Lao Can was now merely a traveler wandering from place to place.
Lao Can enjoyed observing society and recording what he saw and heard. He carried a notebook and meticulously recorded the local customs, official corruption, and people's sufferings along his journey. These records later became precious historical documents.
Lao Can's travels were not for sightseeing but to understand the real China. He wanted to see with his own eyes what was actually happening in the Qing Dynasty that was heading toward decline.
In this turbulent era, Lao Can's observations and records held significant meaning. His writings not only documented history but also criticized the darkness of society.