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Han Feizi – Chapter 5.2
Han Fei urges rulers to stay hidden, calm, and unpredictable. Block five ministerial obstructions, eliminate cliques, verify deeds and titles, and secure absolute power.
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Han Feizi – Chapter 5.1
Han Fei blends Taoism and Legalism. Rulers stay calm, hide preferences, use non-action, leverage ministers’ talents, take credit, and shift blame to keep supreme power.
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Emperor Ming Yuzhen of the Great Xia Dynasty
In the tumultuous late Yuan Dynasty, amidst widespread peasant uprisings, a charismatic leader emerged in southwestern China to establish a short-lived yet significant regime: the Great Xia. Its founder, Ming Yuzhen (1331–1366), holds a unique place in history as the only emperor to ever establish his capital in the mountainous city of Chongqing.
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Han Feizi – Chapter 4.2
Han Fei cites history: over-powerful ministers and lords cause state collapse. Rulers must enforce strict laws, limit their wealth, troops and arms to keep power.
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A “Liberation” That Became a Nightmare: The Qi Invasion of Yan
This article explains the 314 BC Qi invasion of Yan during China’s Warring States Period. Qi seized Yan in 50 days as locals welcomed them as liberators from civil war. But Qi’s looting and cruelty turned public anger. Facing diplomatic pressure and rebellion, Qi withdrew. The disaster led to Yan’s revival under King Zhao,…
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The Abdication that Almost Destroyed a Kingdom: Zizhi Rebellion
In the ruthless arena of the Warring States, where strength was the only law, King Kuai of Yan committed a fatal error: he tried to be a saint. Blinded by the allure of ancient virtue, he attempted to abdicate his throne to his scheming minister, Zizhi, hoping to emulate legendary sages. Instead of earning…