assassination

  • Ode to Jing Ke

    — by Tao Yuanming (Jin Dynasty) Prince Dan of Yan was skilled at nurturing brave retainers,With a will to take vengeance against the mighty Qin.He gathered the finest among a hundred men,And at the year’s end, he found Master Jing.A gentleman dies for his soulmate;Drawing his sword, he departed from the capital of Yan.White…

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 31.4

    This excerpt is from “Canon Three: Plausible Resemblances” in Han Feizi. The most practical of the Six Subtleties, it unveils a sophisticated frame‑up trick: instead of direct slander, fabricate scenes to prompt the ruler to draw false conclusions on his own.

  • The Rebellion of Bai Gongsheng

    This text narrates Bai Gongsheng’s 479 BC Chu rebellion. Stemming from King Ping’s crime against his crown prince, Lord Bai sought revenge, seized the capital, yet was defeated by Lord Ye, revealing deep royal clan rifts.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 22.24

    Han Feizi tells Zeng Congzi offered to assassinate the King of Wu for gain. The Lord of Wei saw his motive and drove him away.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 22.20

    Han Feizi tells Feng Ju plotted to assassinate Han Gui, framing rival Yan Sui to exploit political strife.

  • The Twilight of the Qing: A Mysterious Demise and a Hollow Reform

    This article covers the Qing’s final collapse. Cixi launched hollow “New Policies” to fake reform. Revolutionist Wu Yue bombed a royal mission to study Western systems. In 1908, the poisoned Guangxu Emperor died; Cixi died the next day. She installed infant Puyi as emperor. The dynasty’s fate was sealed.

  • The Arrow Duel at the Xuanwu Gate Incident [Sui & Tang]

    This article recounts the pivotal Xuanwu Gate Incident in 626 AD. Fearing elimination by Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Li Yuanji, Li Shimin launched a preemptive coup, killing his two brothers. He seized power, forced Emperor Gaozu to abdicate, and ascended as Emperor Taizong, laying the groundwork for the Zhenguan golden age.

  • Bian Que

    Bian Que (407–310 BCE) was a renowned physician of the Warring States period. His surname was Qin, and his given name was Yue Ren. He was from Mo County, Bohai Commandery (north of present-day Renqiu, Hebei). 

  • An Unexpected Teacher on the Bridge: Zhang Liang and the Yellow-Stone Elder [Western Han]

    This article tells Zhang Liang’s legendary encounter with the Yellow‑Stone Elder. After a failed assassination on Qin Shi Huang, Zhang met the old man on a bridge, who tested his patience and rewarded him with Taigong’s Art of War. This wisdom shaped him into a key strategist for the Han Dynasty.