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The making of a sage: Confucius [Spring & Autumn]
This article traces the formative years of Confucius, detailing his journey from a humble birth to a renowned sage. It recounts his early tragedies, including the loss of his father at age three and his mother at seventeen, which instilled a deep devotion to filial piety. The narrative highlights his resilience against social rejection,…
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Wu Zixu’s Vengeance [Spring & Autumn]
This article explores the tragic campaign of Wu Zixu against the State of Chu in 506 BCE. It details the brilliant military strategy of Sun Tzu that led to the capture of Ying, the Chu capital. The narrative focuses on Wu Zixu’s obsessive quest for vengeance against King Ping, culminating in the desecration of…
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Sun Tzu: Training palace maids into soldiers [Spring & Autumn]
This article recounts the legendary test of discipline by Sun Tzu in the State of Wu. To prove his military philosophy – that “with true discipline, even women can fight” – Sun Tzu was given 150 palace maids to train. When the women, led by the King’s favorite concubines, treated the drills as a…
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The dagger in the fish [Spring & Autumn]
This article recounts the legendary assassination of King Liao of Wu by the warrior Zhuan Zhu. It details the political intrigue where Prince Guang (the rightful heir) recruited Zhuan Zhu to eliminate the usurper King Liao. To bypass the king’s heavy security, Zhuan Zhu spent three months mastering the culinary arts to become a…