Siang Kairan (1890-1957), known by his penname Pingjiang Busiao Sheng, was from Pingjiang County in Hunan Province. He was very intelligent in learning both pen and sword when he was young, and he was a nationalist. He studied in Japan twice in order to learn new things to help China. Because he was good in the martial arts, he worked as the dean of a martial arts institute in Hunan. Later on he worked as a supervisor in the government of Anhui Province, as a staff member of the arts museum, Hunan Wunshih Guan, and as a member of the Provincial Political Bureau. He died of a stroke at the age of 67.

      His first wusia novel Cyuanjing Jiangyi was published in the Changsha Rih Bao daily in 1911. After 1922, he was invited to write by the chief editor of the Shihjie Shuju publisher, Shen Jhihfang, so he started systematically writing wusia novels. Altogether he wrote 14 novels using the name Pingjiang Busiao Sheng. His most famous works were Jianghu Cisia Jhuan and Jindai Siayi Yingsyong Jhuan.

Jianghu Cisia Jhuan

      This story was published as a series in the Hong Zajhih magazine in 1922. With 150 chapters, it was carried in the magazine for 6 years. This story was also known as 'Huoshao Hongliansih', after it was filmed by the Shanghai Mingsing Yingye movie company. The movie and its 18 sequels were about fighting for land rights between the two counties Pingjiang and Liuyang in Hunan Province. Two martial arts schools Kunlun and Kongtong were introduced, and various suspenseful, thrilling, exciting episodes subsequently developed. As in the earlier novel Cijian Shihsan Sia, the half-god half-human jian sian were important characters in this story; in addition to the kung fu, the magic, jumping as if flying, the flying sword, anecdotes and folk tales all made it a fabulous story. Although it has more than one million words, the story lines are very clear and loose ends are tightened because the author combined his creations with the real legends.

Jindai Siayi Yingsyong Jhuan

      This story, according to the author's words in its first chapter was a true biography about the martial arts master, Huo Yuanjia, who was alive not long before. It starts with the episode about a martial arts master called Dadao Wangwu and his friend, the political dissent Tan Cihtong, then the protagonist Huo Yuanjia came on the scene. Huo was the champion in a national martial arts contest at the end of the Cing Dynasty, and many masters were subsequently introduced. It ends with the death of Huo Yuanjia, being poisoned by the Japanese. This story contains more than a million words in 84 chapters.