Literary Genealogy: Narrative of Cultural Homecoming along the Grand Canal in Xu Zechen's Bei Shang

Abstract

As a physical conduit bridging northern and southern China, the Grand Canal historically functioned as both an economic lifeline for grain transport and a silent witness to modern China's social transformation. Literary engagement with this aqueous artery has persisted since its inception. Xu Zechen devoted four years to crafting his novel Bei Shang following extensive research—a departure from his "Flower Street" and "Northern Drift" series. Centering on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the narrative intertwines familial sagas: ancestors forged connections while accompanying the Italian explorer Paolo on his northbound journey, while descendants rekindled bonds through their shared mission to revitalize the waterway. This study probes into the novel's representation of the Canal as cultural vessel, examining root-seeking narratives through dual prisms—temporal excavation of historical continuity and spiritual pilgrimage toward cultural identity.