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 5: During the height of his success, Hu Xueyan’s career and business are strongly impacted by foreign merchants, and he becomes marginalized through infighting in the government.