The textual depiction of Xu Hongru and activities of the White Lotus Cult at the end of the Ming Dynasty

as important historic events

demonstrates difference in writing. With the help of folk materials

Liaozhai Zhiyi creates a new image of Xu Hongru and related characters in Xiao Er

White Lotus Cult (Volume 4)

White Lotus Cult (Volume 6)

and Xing Ziyi through literary writing and narrative structure design. On the basis of folk judgment

it constructs a new historical stance

proposes a unique narrative logic that "heretical measures can be used for the right purpose"

and writes on the subject at multiple levels from various perspectives of the people in the city and multiple narrative clues. On the basis of constructing folk memory of the Xu Hongru Incident

it reflects the interactive relationship between writer’s literature and folk literature.