• The Princes’ Catastrophe [Jin & Southern-Northern Dynasties]

    Introduction: This article recounts the catastrophic War of the Eight Princes. Empress Jia framed and killed Crown Prince Sima Yu, triggering a power struggle. Sima Lun seized the throne, sparking years of civil war that devastated Western Jin. The bloody infighting weakened China, opening the door to foreign invasions and long-term division.

  • Zhuangzi

    Zhuangzi (c. 369–286 BCE) was a major philosopher of the Warring States period. His given name was Zhou, and he was a native of Meng in the state of Song—traditionally identified either as northeast of modern Shangqiu, Henan, or near Dingyuan, Anhui.

  • The Wren Ode – Jiaoliao Fu

    – By Zhang Hua (Western Jin Dynasty) The wren is but a tiny bird –Born among weeds and wild grasses,Raised beneath garden hedges.It flutters and gathers within ordinary spaces,Yet its needs for life are fully met.

  • Zhou Chu’s Last Stand [Jin & Southern-Northern Dynasties]

    Introduction: This article tells the heroic tragedy of Zhou Chu. Once a local troublemaker, he reformed, slew the “three scourges,” and became a loyal Jin general. Sent to suppress a Di rebellion, he was betrayed by Prince Sima Rong—sent into battle with 5,000 men against 70,000. He fought to his last breath, a martyr…

  • Book of the Later Han – Hou Hanshu

    A historical text compiled by Fan Ye (398–445 CE) during the Liu Song dynasty of the Southern Dynasties period. The work originally comprised 100 scrolls of Annals (Benji) and Biographies (Liezhuan), but the present standard edition contains 120 scrolls: 10 Annals, 80 Biographies, and 30 Treatises (Zhi).

  • Book of Han – Hanshu

    A foundational Chinese historical text compiled by Ban Gu (32–92 CE) of the Eastern Han dynasty.