SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

bribery

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

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    Juan

    The Last Mission Beyond the Western Regions After more than thirty years governing the Western Regions, Ban Chao – now in his late sixties – dreamed of reaching Da Qin, the fabled Roman Empire. In a final diplomatic thrust, he dispatched his trusted subordinate Gan Ying as envoy, bearing gifts and goodwill.

  • The Stone Hut and the Horse Keeper [Spring & Autumn]

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    Rob

    Just as Qin and Chu prepared to counterattack, disaster struck Wu: Prince Fugai, Helü’s brother, rebelled, declared himself king, and allied with Yue state, promising five cities as reward.

  • Unveiling political corruption with two cases of bribery [Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    In a previous article, we discussed how the author of Romance of the Three Kingdoms was unfair in his evaluation of the Yellow Turban Uprising. Writing from the standpoint of the landlord class, his perspective on the peasant uprising was inevitably biased.

  • Sequel to a Dream

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    Ana

    After winning the title of jinshi, (Tran. Note: Jinshi was a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination; juren was a successful candidate at the provincial level) Juren Zeng and several others who had passed the examination went for an excursion in the suburbs of the provincial capital.

  • Rotten Sleeve

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    Ana

    A corrupt official wanted to show that he was pure and honest. So, before assuming office, he took an oath in public, saying, “If my right hand accepts bribes, let it fester; if my left hand accepts bribes, let it fester, too.”