SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • How a teenage emperor and five eunuchs toppled the “Bullying General”? [Eastern Han]

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    Juan

    Brief: This article tells how Emperor Huan and five eunuchs overthrew tyrant Liang Ji, the “Bullying General.” Liang Ji poisoned Emperor Zhi, murdered loyal officials, and seized absolute power. Threatened by Liang’s plot against his favorite consort, the emperor allied with eunuchs to stage a coup and end the tyranny.

  • “Wolves Block the Road”: Corruption, Rebellion, and the Fall of Integrity [Eastern Han]

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    Juan

    Brief: This article chronicles Eastern Han’s decline. After a eunuch coup restored Emperor Shun, eunuch clans and the Liang tyrants seized power. Zhang Gang denounced top officials as “wolves blocking the road,” yet his integrity went unrewarded. Endless tyranny and corruption fueled rebellion, dooming the dynasty.

  • “Heaven Knows, Earth Knows”: Integrity and Downfall in the Court [Eastern Han]

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    Juan

    Brief: This article tells Eastern Han’s tragic tale of integrity amid decline. It features Ban Chao’s frontier service, Cai Lun’s paper invention, and Yang Zhen’s famous “Heaven knows, earth knows” stand against bribery. After Empress Deng’s death, corrupt eunuchs and clans seized power, executing upright officials and dooming the dynasty.

  • The Fall of the Dou Clan: How a Teenage Emperor Toppled an Empress’ Tyranny [Eastern Han]

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    Juan

    Brief: This article recounts the fall of Eastern Han’s powerful Dou clan. Dou Xian seized control, murdered a royal kinsman, and grew tyrannical after defeating the Northern Xiongnu. At 14, Emperor He plotted with eunuch Zheng Zhong, staged a coup, and toppled the Dous. The purge reshaped the court and ended the clan’s tyranny.

  • Throwing Down the Brush for the Sword: Ban Chao [Eastern Han]

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    Juan

    Brief: This article tells Ban Chao’s legendary journey: abandoning scholarship for military service, he led just 36 men to subdue kingdoms in the Western Regions. His bold raids and wise diplomacy revived the Silk Road and secured Han’s frontier. Despite court pressure to withdraw, he stayed and safeguarded Central Asia for decades.

  • Qu Yuan

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    Juan

    Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BCE) was a statesman and poet of the Warring States period, hailing from the state of Chu. His given name was Ping, and his courtesy name was Yuan. Born into the Chu aristocracy, he initially enjoyed the deep trust of King Huai of Chu and held key offices such as…