The work had gained immense popularity in China, shocking the world of Chinese literature with its frank dealing with sex, as well as grievances directed at the incompetence of Chinese government at the time.
Verket fick en enorm popularitet i Kina och chockerade den kinesiska litterära världen med sina frispråkiga skildringar av sex, liksom med sina klagomål mot den kinesiska regeringens inkompetens.