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The wise son and the suspicious neighbor [Han Feizi]
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– by Han Fei (Pre-Qin Period) In the state of Song, there was a wealthy man. After heavy rain, the wall of his house collapsed. His son said: “If we don’t repair it at once, thieves will surely break in.” An old man from his neighborhood also warned him the same thing. That night,…
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Self-Contradiction [Han Feizi]
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-by Han Fei (Pre-Qin Period) A man from the state of Chu was selling shields and spears.
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The First Figure of the Song: Fan Zhongyan [Song & Yuan]
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Introduction: This article profiles Fan Zhongyan, hailed as the paramount figure of the Song Dynasty. It chronicles his life as a model official who prioritized the people, from building the “Fan Gong Dike” seawall to confronting the Empress Dowager for the Emperor. The narrative details his military success against Western Xia, his appointment as…
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The Rise of Western Xia [Song & Yuan]
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Brief: This article chronicles the rise of the Western Xia dynasty under the Tangut leader Li Yuanhao, detailing his break from the Song Empire and the subsequent military conflicts. It analyzes the early defeats of the Song army at battles like Sanchuan and Haoshuichuan, attributing these losses to the Tanguts’ tactical superiority. The narrative…
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The Covenant of Chanyuan: Peace Bought at a Price [Song & Yuan]
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Brief: This article recounts the pivotal Covenant of Chanyuan (1004 AD), a peace treaty that ended the Liao-Song conflict. It details how the Liao cavalry threatened the Song capital, forcing Emperor Zhenzong to the front lines against the advice of fleeing ministers. The tide turned when a Song crossbow killed the Liao general Xiao…
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The Reformist Ambition of the Liao Empress [Song & Yuan]
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Introduction: This article explores the reformist rule of Empress Dowager Xiao Chuo of the Liao Dynasty. After Emperor Jingzong’s death, she became regent for the young Emperor Shengzong and formed a close political alliance with Han Derang. Inspired by Tang governance, they launched sweeping reforms in law, taxation, slave emancipation, and official selection. They…