The novel “Hu Xueyan” by Gao Yang is the most popular account of the life of historical figure Hu Xueyan, a well-known businessman during the Qing Dynasty. Hu Xueyan is the only person of the merchant class of the period allowed to wear a red-topped hat, indicating high official rank conferred by the Qing Court. Volume 1: Hu Xueyan is helped by Wang Youling, a Fujianese, start his professional life as an official.