• Wang Bo

    Wang Bo (649 or 650–676) was a renowned literary figure of the Tang dynasty. His courtesy name was Zi’an, and he was from Longmen, Jiangzhou (present-day Hejin, Shanxi). At the age of nine, after reading Yan Shigu‘s annotated version of the Book of Han, he composed a ten-volume critique titled Zhi Xia (“Pointing Out…

  • How Powerful Is Sun Wukong?

    Many readers of Journey to the West have wondered just how strong Sun Wukong truly is. Known as the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, Sun Wukong possesses a body forged like black iron, fiery golden eyes that see through illusions, immortality, the 72 Transformations, and a somersault cloud that carries him 108,000 li (approximately 54,000…

  • Zhou Yu

    Zhou Yu (175–210 CE) was a renowned general of the state of Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. His courtesy name was Gongjin, and he was from Shu County, Lujiang Commandery (in present-day southwestern Lujiang County, Anhui). At age 21, he joined Sun Ce in pacifying the Jiangdong region and helped lay the foundation…

  • Cao Cao

    Cao Cao (155–220 CE) was a statesman, military strategist, and poet of the late Eastern Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Mengde, and his childhood nickname was Aman. He was born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery (present-day Bozhou, Anhui). At age 20, he was recommended as a “Filially Pious and Incorrupt” official and appointed…

  • Ode on the Red Cliff (Former)

    By Su Shi (Song Dynasty) In the autumn of the Renxu year, on the sixteenth day of the seventh month, I sailed with my guests beneath the Red Cliff. A gentle breeze blew softly; the river lay calm without a ripple. Raising my cup to toast my companions, I recited poems of the bright…

  • The Goddess of Wu Mountain

    The Goddess of Wu Mountain, according to myth and legend, was the daughter of the Yan Emperor—or, in some versions, the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor – named Yao Ji. She died before ever marrying and was buried on the southern slope of Wu Mountain.