" The First Shot of Surprises" 初刻拍案惊奇 or Chuke Paian Jingqi is a collection of short stories in the Ming Dynasty of China . It was written by Ling Xiaochu at the end of the Ming Dynasty . It is a collection of short stories written under the direct influence of "Sanyan, or three words", and later called "Three Words" and " Two shots (with another “The Second Shot of Surprises" with same style published later) collectively. "Three Words" refers to "Yu Shi Ming Yan, Clear Words to Understand the World", "Jing Shi Tong Yan, Warnings of the World", "Xing Shi Heng Yan, Constant Words Awakening the World", three collection of short stories in ancient China. " The First Shot of Surprises " finalized in the Ming Tianqi seven years (1627), the following year ( Chongzhen first year) print and publish the Shang Youtang Bookstore, a total of forty volumes for forty separate story. . " The First Shot of Surprises" book in the forty volumes of the nine chapters of the Tang Dynasty , Song seven, Yuan six, Ming 13 articles, five uncertain times. The content of the story is mainly based on " Tai Ping Guang Ji ", " Yi Jian Zhi ", "Scissor New Words", "Scissors of Lights" and other books. It is a portrayal of the Ming Dynasty society. Ling Xiaochu was deeply influenced by Feng Menglong.