Yifengheng vernacular stories
Yifeng Heng Baihua Stories (the third batch of provincial level) Yifeng "Heng Baihua" stories are a unique folk oral literature in western Jiangxi. It originated in Xincun Village, Fangxi Town, Yifeng County, and spread throughout Yifeng, radiating to surrounding counties and cities such as Wanzai, Shanggao, Tonggu, and as far as parts of Jiangsu Province. It has a history of more than 260 years. It is a witty character story that the local people weave based on the anecdotes of local historical figure Peng Hengren and various social phenomena, using humorous language and unique and ingenious plots to punish evil and promote good, and to make fun of clever characters. These stories are spread in urban and rural areas, and are still popular and loved by the masses. According to Yifeng's "Sixth Genealogy of the Wuyan Peng Family", Peng Hengren, the protagonist of the Yifeng "Heng Baihua" story, was from Xincun Village, Fangxi Town, Yifeng County, and was born in the 29th year of Qianlong (1764). Because of his poor family when he was young, he worked as a hired worker in the home of Liu Jingshen in the neighboring village of Chengxi. Later, he went to school and won the first place in the Tongshi (Student) exam. The villagers called him "Heng Xianggong". He then participated in the provincial exam many times, but failed every time, so he had to make a living by farming. He was unruly, humorous, witty and intelligent. He often made jokes and stories about folk life phenomena to entertain people before and after tea and meals, and after work. Because he liked to tease the rich and the evil with "Baihua" or "lies", the people of his hometown gave him the nickname "Heng Baihua". In order to vent his anger against the gentry, the rich and the evil, the local people , so he was used as the prototype of the character, and based on some of his real deeds, combined with a large number of witty character stories, a series of stories of "Heng Baihua" were created in oral form. These stories are diverse in form and rich in content, reflecting the people's ideological requirements of hating evil and promoting good and pursuing beautiful things. The works are ingeniously conceived, the plots are unique, and the characters are lifelike. Whether it is praise or satire, it is interesting and never tires of listening. It has greatly enriched the cultural and entertainment life of the people, resolved the resentment in people's hearts, eliminated their fatigue from labor, and reflected the witty, intelligent, healthy, positive and optimistic attitude and quality of life of the people of Yifeng. However, there are only a few people who are familiar with the "Heng Baihua" jokes now, and most of them are old people in their sixties and seventies.