"He San" in Dream of the Red Chamber: Zhou Rui's Son and the Truth Behind the Jia Family Theft Case

Brief Introduction

In the plot of the last 40 chapters of Dream of the Red Chamber, a critical internal theft case occurs during the decline of the Jia family. The key figure who guided the thieves into the Jia household is often referred to by readers or in folklore as "He San." However, in the standard 120-chapter edition, this character is actually Zhou Rui's son (or Zhou Rui's nephew). The name "He San" appears more frequently in later storytelling, adaptations, or reader misinterpretations, but the core plot remains unchanged. He is a crucial linking character connecting the Jia family's internal management with external crises.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Character Identity: Zhou Rui is a retainer of Lady Wang and also the uncle of Wang Ren, the husband of Wang Xifeng. He holds a management position in the Jia household. His son (or nephew), dissatisfied with the treatment in the Jia family or tempted by profit, becomes an insider accomplice.
2. Theft Plot: Around Chapter 98, before the Jia family was officially raided, thieves broke in during the night. Zhou Rui's son used his position to lure accomplices to steal treasures, accelerating the financial collapse of the Jia family.
3. Name Etymology: The original text mostly refers to him as "Zhou Rui's son" and does not directly give him the name "He San." This name may originate from local operas or folk oral traditions, intended to give the character a specific name for easier dissemination.

Connection to the Book's Content

This plot is a significant omen of the Jia family's "when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter" (collapse). As a relative of Wang Xifeng, Zhou Rui's son participating in the theft symbolizes the complete loss of control in the Jia family's internal management and a total reversal of human relationships. Previously, Zhou Rui sent palace flowers to Daiyu, showcasing the warmth during the Jia family's peak; now, his son luring thieves profoundly reveals the cruel reality that family members betray their masters for self-preservation or greed during the family's decline.

Knowledge Extension and Analysis

For researchers, distinguishing between "Zhou Rui's son" and "He San" helps clarify version differences. In rigorous Redology research, the original text's "Zhou Rui's son" should be the standard. The existence of this character not only enriches the narrative layers of the Jia family's demise but also reflects the complexity of internal class mobility within Qing Dynasty aristocratic families. Through this detail, Cao Xueqin (or Gao E's continuation) demonstrates the collapse of internal ethical order and the game of human interests within a feudal large family on the eve of its collapse.

Note: This article aims to popularize plots related to Dream of the Red Chamber. Regarding the name "He San," please refer to authoritative annotated editions.