Línchuān

Linchuan stands on the Fu River in eastern Jiangxi, the historic seat of Fuzhou. The district produced scholars, officials and playwrights, and its literary reputation extended throughout the empire. Among its most celebrated sons was Tang Xianzu, whose dramas explored love, dreams and the boundaries between life and death.

After leaving office, Tang returned to Linchuan and wrote in his Yuming Hall. There he completed The Peony Pavilion in 1598, followed by The Dream of Nanke and The Handan Dream. Together with his earlier drama, they became known as the Four Dreams of Linchuan. Tang also helped organise the rebuilding of Wenchang Bridge, gathering contributions from his family, local gentry and townspeople for a crossing that served his home city.