SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • Brothers at War [Spring & Autumn]

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    Rob

    According to historical records, notably the Zuo Zhuan (Zuo’s Commentary) and Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Duke Wu of Zheng (Zheng Wu Gong) had two sons with his wife Lady Jiang.

  • The Price of a Smile [Spring & Autumn]

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    Rob

    In the Zhou Dynasty, which had been established nearly 3,000 years ago, the supreme ruler of the Zhou was not called an emperor but “Heavenly King”. Among these kings was King You of Zhou, a ruler infamous for his neglect of state affairs and obsession with pleasure.

  • When victory breeds doom [Three Kingdoms]

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    Rob

    By the early 260s CE, Shu Han was in decline. Its wise statesmen – Jiang Wan and Fei Yi – were dead. Jiang Wei, now Grand General, inherited Zhuge Liang’s legacy and launched eleven northern expeditions against Cao Wei. Though he won tactical victories, Shu’s limited resources made strategic success impossible.

  • The iron-striking scholar: Ji Kang [Three Kingdoms]

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    Rob

    After the Sima Yi’s coup, the Sima clan had tightened its grip on the Cao Wei court with ruthless efficiency. After Sima Zhao brazenly murdered Emperor Cao Mao in 254 AD, open criticism was silenced – but resentment simmered beneath the surface. Among those who dared to voice dissent were intellectuals and literati, none…

  • The Poisoned Banquet [Three Kingdoms]

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    Rob

    Upon his deathbed in 252 CE, Emperor Sun Quan of Eastern Wu entrusted state affairs to a coalition of regents: General-in-Chief Zhuge Ke (son of Zhuge Jin, nephew of Zhuge Liang), along with imperial clansmen Sun Hong and Sun Jun.

  • The feigned illness and Sima Yi’s coup [Three Kingdoms]

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    Rob

    In 239 AD, Emperor Cao Rui of Wei, aged just 35 and childless, lay dying. He adopted Cao Fang, a seven-year-old boy, as his heir and summoned his most trusted ministers to his bedside. Pointing to the young prince, he addressed Grand Commandant Sima Yi: