Pan Liao Quan (812-861) was a revered monk during the Tang Dynasty, whose life was marked by spiritual phenomena from the very beginning. Born in Sha County, Fujian Province, to Pan Dezhang and a mother surnamed Qiu, his early life already hinted at his future monastic significance. The unyielding fist A notable event occurred right ...
In the tumultuous times of the Qing Dynasty, a man named Fang Guancheng (1696-1768) from Tongcheng experienced a life filled with both fortuitous encounters and narrow escapes from peril. His early years were marked by adversity when his father was forcibly conscripted into the army due to involvement with a distinguished author whose works sparked ...
In the Tang Dynasty, during the reign known as Zhenguan (627-649), a man named Zhang Ti opened an inn in the area of Wei State’s Banqiao. This location was bustling with traders and travelers, so the business thrived, providing Zhang with a stable and prosperous life. However, disaster struck unexpectedly one day in the form ...
In the annals of history, princesses are often envisioned as delicate figures adorned in finery, far removed from the harsh realities of battle. Yet Princess Pingyang, the sister of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, shatters this stereotype, standing tall as a warrior heroine of her era. In the year A.D. 617, the father of ...
After rising to the pinnacle of power under Emperor Qianlong, the notoriously corrupt official Heshen ultimately faced his inevitable reckoning. There were some lower-ranking officials who dared to challenge him directly, but their attempts bore no fruit while the emperor still lived. For example, in the 51st year of Qianlong’s reign, an imperial censor named ...
The tale of Heshen, remembered for being one of the richest men in history as well as one of the most corrupt Chinese officials to ever live, is well-known in every Chinese household. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, herose to the pinnacle of power, second only to the emperor himself, holding positions such as ...
Sima Guang (1019-1086), a prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, also known by his courtesy name Junshi, was a native of Sushui Township in Xia County (present-day Shanxi Xia County), Shaanxi Province. He was a renowned historian. When Sima Guang was born, his father, Sima Chi, served as the Guangshan County magistrate in Guangzhou. ...
The Chinese classic Roots of Wisdom states: “In life, taking a step back is a mark of greatness; showing leniency is a blessing.” This means showing kindness to others opens up a world of possibilities, and a broad mind leads to a clear sky. In life, yielding a step means leaving room for yourself to ...
During the final years of the Sui Dynasty, chaos reigned as heroes rose across the land. With his remarkable wisdom and courage, Li Shimin (598-649) led an army of benevolence and righteousness. He helped his father, Li Yuan, stabilize the realm and founded the great Tang Dynasty in A.D. 618. Upon ascension in A.D 626, ...
A true embodiment of the saying “a hero doesn’t fear a humble beginning,” Di Qing’s journey from a deserter, marked by a punitive tattoo, to a celebrated general is a tale of grit and determination. His rise was significantly influenced by the open-minded Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty and the encouraging chancellor Fan ...