Abstract:
Through the study of Chronicles of County Wu published in the period of Republic of China, the Taiwan scholar, WEI Zi-yun challenged the authoritative view by LU Xun that the first publication of Chin Pingmei appeared in Gengshu period (the 38th year of Wanli Emperor). However, there exist three problems. This paper, through the study of Chronicles of Hushuguan, has solved those three problems and hence completely overthrown the authoritative LU Xun’s view. Further, it has inferred from the other studies that the first edition of the novel appeared during the period from 45th to 47th year of Wanli Emperor. And accordingly, it has drawn the conclusion that the novel first appeared in the late years of the emperor.