As the founder of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, also known as Ming Taizu, was determined to build a strong, powerful, and morally upright empire. One of his primary strategies involved strict governance and a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and lawbreaking, even among his family members. This commitment to justice and integrity profoundly affected the ...
In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Tang Yingzeng, who was from Pizhou, was exceptionally skilled at playing the pipa, a traditional Chinese lute, so people called him Tang Pipa. Because his family was poor, he couldn’t afford to get married, leaving him and his mother to rely solely on each other. Tang was ...
During the Ming Dynasty, there was a scholar named Wu Zitian. His mother passed away early, and his father remarried. His stepmother favored her own son over him, treating him poorly. Over time, he harbored feelings of resentment in his heart. Later, he married, and his stepmother also treated his wife poorly. Feeling discontent, he ...
Empress Ma, the wife and wartime comrade of Zhu Yuanzhang, played a pivotal role during times of conflict and upheaval. She adeptly managed logistics and soothed the troops, contributing significantly to their collective victory. Humility in power Despite her elevated status after their triumph, Empress Ma remained grounded. Zhu Yuanzhang frequently lauded her resilience and ...
The ancient Chinese text “I Ching” states: “A family that accumulates good deeds will have a surplus of good fortune.” This principle holds that individuals who consistently do good deeds and cultivate moral virtues will not only overcome difficulties, but will also bring blessings to their descendants. The following story is a true reflection of ...
In the 48th year of Emperor Wanli’s reign during the Ming Dynasty, Qin Liangyu‘s White Pole Army engaged in several fierce battles with the Later Jin troops, significantly weakening their morale. Around this time, the emperor passed away, and Guang Zong ascended the throne. However, he ruled for just a month before dying, followed by ...
Over thousands of years of Chinese history, Qin Liangyu stands out as the only woman to have been officially recognized as a general by the nation. Celebrated by the Ming Dynasty’s Emperor Chongzhen in a poem, she is the only female general recorded in the Twenty-Five Histories, filling the long-standing gap of female representation in ...
“The heart’s ailment requires the heart’s remedy,” remarked Zhang Jingyue, a renowned physician from the Ming Dynasty. He believed that diseases resulting from unresolved thoughts can only be cured when emotional desires are met and satisfied. Traditional Chinese medicine and emotional healing There are various psychological therapies in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Most of them ...
During the time of the Ming Dynasty, there lived many well-known physicians who had exceptional medical abilities. In fact, some were even considered to possess supernormal skills. In the third article of our series, let’s continue exploring some of the famous physicians of ancient China. Liu Bangyong: The predictor of lifespans Liu Bangyong was born ...
Chinese medicine has a long history and is one of the most mystical sciences in ancient China. Many famous doctors in the past were cultivators with unique abilities. Some had met monks in the mountains who taught them arcane alchemy or extraordinary medical secrets before they embarked on medicine. Some famous doctors were so skilled ...