SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • The Tragic Throne: Decadence, Delusion, and the Fall of an Heir [Jin & Southern-Northern Dynasties]

    •

    Juan

    The Emperor’s Early Austerity When Emperor Wu of Jin (Sima Yan) first ascended the throne in 265 CE, he publicly championed frugality. He ordered civil and military officials to live modestly, setting an example himself. One day at court, he summoned his guards to display a magnificent ‘zhi-tou qiu’ – a luxurious fur coat…

  • Jin Conquered Wu and the Unification of the Three Kingdoms [Three Kingdoms]

    •

    Juan

    The Sima Ascendancy and the Fall of Wei After decades of consolidating power, Sima Zhao – de facto ruler of Cao Wei – was enfeoffed as King of Jin and appointed Chancellor. Though courtiers urged him to usurp the throne, he declined, instead appointing his son Sima Yan as Deputy Chancellor, a clear signal…

  • The Bitter Aftertaste of Victory: Rivalry and Reward after the Conquest of Wu [Jin & Southern-Northern Dynasties]

    •

    Juan

    Triumph and Tears in Luoyang In the year 280 CE, the Jin dynasty finally extinguished the state of Wu, completing the reunification of China. When Emperor Wu of Jin (Sima Yan) received news in Luoyang that Sun Hao, the last ruler of Wu, had surrendered, he first laughed with joy – then burst into…

  • Cai Yong

    •

    Juan

    Cai Yong (133–192 CE) was a renowned literary scholar, calligrapher, and musician of the Eastern Han dynasty, and the father of the famous poet and composer Cai Wenji. His courtesy name was Bojie, and he was a native of Yu in Chenliu Commandery (modern-day Qixian, Henan).

  • The Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Fall of the Han [Eastern Han]

    •

    Juan

    An Omen in the Palace In 178 CE, a strange event shook the imperial court: a hen in the palace grew a towering comb and crowed like a rooster. Though modern science would call it a hormonal anomaly, ancient Han cosmology saw it as a dire omen – yin usurping yang, disorder overtaking order.

  • Cai Lun

    •

    Juan

    Cai Lun (c. 62–121 CE) was a eunuch official of the Eastern Han dynasty and is traditionally credited with the invention of papermaking. His courtesy name was Jingzhong, and he was born in Guiyang (modern-day Leiyang, Hunan).