•
Yue Fei (1103–1142) was a celebrated military general of the early Southern Song dynasty, renowned for his staunch resistance against the Jin dynasty (established by the Jurchens). His courtesy name was Pengju, and he was born in Tangyin, Xiangzhou (in present-day Henan Province).
•
Su Shi (1037–1101) was a preeminent literatus, poet, calligrapher, and painter of the Northern Song dynasty. His courtesy name was Zizhan, and he adopted the literary sobriquet “Dongpo Jushi” (Householder of the Eastern Slope). Born in Meishan, Meizhou (in present-day Sichuan Province), he is collectively known with his father Su Xun and younger brother…
•
Shi Kuang was a renowned court musician of the Jin state during the Spring and Autumn period (approximately 770–476 BCE). His courtesy name was Ziye. Although blind, he was exceptionally skilled at playing the qin (a seven-stringed zither) and possessed extraordinarily acute hearing, enabling him to discern and judge musical pitches with remarkable precision.
•
Zhenguan Zhengyao (Essentials of Governance from the Zhenguan Era) is a foundational Chinese political classic compiled during the Tang dynasty by the historian and statesman Wu Jing (670–749 CE). Completed around 708–710 CE, the work records the exemplary governance, dialogues, policies, and administrative philosophy of Emperor Taizong(r. 626–649) and his ministers during the famed…
•
Taiping Yulan (Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era) is a monumental Chinese encyclopedia compiled during the early Northern Song dynasty. Commissioned by Emperor Taizong of Song, it was edited by a team of scholars led by Li Fang, along with Li Mu, Xu Xuan, and others. Work began in 977 CE (the second year…
•
Zhu Yuanzhang (1328–1398) was the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1368 to 1398. Born into extreme poverty in Zhongli, Haozhou (present-day Fengyang, Anhui Province), his original name was Zhu Chongba (or Xingzong), and his courtesy name was Guorui. After ascending the throne, he adopted the temple name Taizu (“Grand Progenitor”) and…