In 1814, the first Sinology lecture chair in Europe was established at the É cole Polytechnique, and Remus became the first professor, exerting a profound influence on the development of Western Sinology. Although there have been studies focusing on its contributions in Chinese linguistics and the translation of Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist classics, there is insufficient exploration of the achievements in the translation and research of Chinese popular literature into the West. As an important work compiled by Lei Musha, the collection of Chinese short stories and their sources are still unclear. This article aims to explore Lei Musha's translation ideas and practices, and reveal his contemporary significance and value by reviewing the process of translating novels into French.

1、 Title and Translation Manuscript

In 1827, the "Collection of Chinese Short Stories" compiled by Raymond Lam was published in Paris, which was the first French translated collection of Chinese short stories to appear in the West. This collection includes ten Chinese short stories, among which the Chinese titles of "Three Brothers" and "Exposing Defamation" are controversial. By comparing the opening part of the French translation with the original Chinese text, it is confirmed that 'The Three Brothers' is equivalent to' Lv Dalang Returns the Golden Bone and Blood ', and' Exposing Defamation 'is equivalent to the authentic part of' Blaming the Lord with Personal Resentment '. In addition, the French translation of the article "Cai Ruihong Endures Humiliation and Revenge" is based on the Chinese version of "Awakening the World and Eternal Words", not "Wonders of the Past and Present". During the selection and compilation of the "Three Words and Two Beats" by the elderly man holding the urn in the Ming Dynasty, the works were further processed, while the French translation did not make corresponding changes to the adaptation of "The Wonders of Modern and Ancient Times". By comparing the French translation with the texts of "Awakening the World" and "Ancient and Modern Wonders", it can be determined that the Chinese base version of the French translation of "Cai Ruihong Endures Humiliation and Revenge" in Lei Musha's "Collection of Chinese Short Stories" is "Awakening the World".

2、 The Sources and French Translation Process of Various Articles in the Collection of Chinese Short Stories

The ten short stories in the "Collection of Chinese Short Stories" come from various sources, including Latin manuscripts, translations from "The Complete History of the Chinese Empire", English tankobons, and Debussy's "Chinese Novels". Cai Ruihong Endures Humiliation and Revenge "is the only unpublished work, translated from Chinese to Latin by Yan Benming, identified by Lei Musha, and revised and perfected by Rulian. Lei Musha highly praised the work of Rulian, but later scholars mistook Rulian for a translator. Four novels, including "The Three Brothers," were based on the translation by Yin Hongxu. Lei Musha made modifications to them, including improving the translation of titles, names, and place names, removing parts added by Yin Hongxu, and polishing details and language expression. The naming of 'Women of the Song Dynasty' was inspired by the story of 'Ephesian Women' in 'Satilicon'. Remusha supports this translation, believing that it reflects the connection between Eastern and Western cultures. The two novels "Song Jinlang Reunion Breaks the Felt Hat" and "Fan Xizhou" were translated from English tankobons. During the translation process, Lei Musha avoided the fancy language in the English translation, making the French translation closer to the original style. Three novels, including "The Picture Tower," were translated from Chinese to English by Debishi. Remusha expressed dissatisfaction with Debishi's reduced version translation, believing that it failed to present the original appearance of Chinese novels and advocating that the translation should be as close as possible to the original work.

3、 The Historical Status and Contribution of the Collection of Chinese Short Stories

During the management period of the Chinese Book Collection at the Royal Library of France, the French translation of "Chinese Short Stories Collection" by Remusha selected a collection of ten literary and cognitive value vernacular and pseudo vernacular novels from numerous Chinese books, including six from "Wonders of the Past and Present" and "Awakening the World". Lei Musha referred to these works as "moral admonition stories and short stories", in contrast to the popular "genre novels" in the West at that time. He introduced the diversity of Chinese novels to the West and showcased the multifaceted nature of Chinese society through translations of works such as "Yujiao Pear". Remusha criticized three main issues with previous translations of Chinese novels: missionaries' insufficient emphasis on literary style, secular sinologists' excessive editing and catering to European tastes, and inaccuracies in translated works. He advocates being faithful to the original work, preserving its form and style, in order to showcase the real China. The "Cai Ruihong Endures Humiliation and Revenge" in the "Collection of Chinese Short Stories" is a practice of Lei Musha's translation philosophy. He participated in the translation with his student Rulian, striving for accuracy and literary quality. Remusha encourages students to continue their research and hopes to introduce more Chinese novels to European readers.

4、 Conclusion

The conclusion section of the study on the French translation of Lei Musha's "Collection of Chinese Short Stories" points out that from Yin Hongxu to Lei Musha, the translation of Chinese classical novels into the West has gone through a nearly century long initial stage. Lei Musha not only established professional Sinology research, but also cleared up problems in the translation of Chinese novels into the West, providing theoretical guidance for later translation work and having important progressive significance. His work marks the shift of Chinese novel translation and research from folk and church to professional academic institutions, and from Chinese translation to Western local independent translation. The publication of "Yujiao Pear" and "Collection of Chinese Short Stories" became important symbols of this transformation. After Remusha, Rulian inherited his academic tradition and promoted significant achievements in the translation and research of Chinese novels in French Sinology.