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The Silent Phoenix: King Zhuang of Chu [Spring & Autumn]
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When King Cheng of Chu died in 613 BCE, his grandson ascended the throne as King Zhuang of Chu. At the time, Jin, under the leadership of Zhao Dun, seized the opportunity of Chu’s mourning period to convene seven states – Song, Lu, Chen, Wei, Zheng, Cai, and Xu – and reassert its dominance…
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Chu Ni – the assassin who chose death over murder [Spring & Autumn]
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After a series of military defeats by Qin and the deaths of several senior ministers, Zhao Dun – son of the revered Zhao Cui – rose as chief minister of Jin. In 620 BCE, Duke Xiang of Jin died, leaving his seven-year-old son to ascend the throne as Duke Ling of Jin.
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Feasting the enemy to save a nation [Spring & Autumn]
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How a merchant saved a nation – The story of Xian Gao and the Qin invasion. After the death of Duke Wen of Jin in 628 BCE, Duke Mu of Qin saw a golden opportunity. Long frustrated that Central States viewed Qin as a “western barbarian” (much like they labeled Chu a “southern savage”),…
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The art of strategic persuasion: Zhu Zhiwu [Spring & Autumn]
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Duke Wen of Jin was angered by Zheng’s “fence-sitting” diplomatic tendencies during the power struggle between Jin and Chu. Zheng had ostensibly submitted to Jin while secretly maintaining ties with Chu, a stance that deeply frustrated the Jin ruler.