In the bustling streets of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, one snack reigns supreme. Its name is Long Chaoshou (龙抄手), which translates to “Dragon Wonton.” But don’t let the name fool you – there’s no dragon meat in this dish, and the founder wasn’t surnamed Long either. Instead, this iconic wonton is a…
If you ever find yourself at a Sichuan restaurant, you might notice a dish on the menu with a puzzling name: Fuqi Feipian (夫妻肺片). A direct translation would be “husband-and-wife lung slices” – which sounds alarming, misleading, or both. In fact, the dish contains no lung at all. And while the “husband and wife”…
In the vast and fiery universe of Sichuan cuisine, few dishes are as iconic – or as beloved – as Mapo Tofu. Known in Chinese as 麻婆豆腐, this humble plate of silky tofu, minced meat, and a blazing red sauce has become a global phenomenon. It is a dish that has been served to…
This article covers Emperor Guangwu’s final campaigns to reunify China. He defeated warlords Wei Xiao of Longyou and Gongsun Shu of Shu, aided by defectors like Ma Yuan and allies such as Dou Rong. After conquering Long and Shu, Guangwu ended years of division and restored the Eastern Han dynasty.
This article narrates Emperor Guangwu’s rise to power. As the Gengshi Emperor collapsed and the Red Eyebrows rebels marched on Chang’an, Liu Xiu secured his rear with Kou Xun and Feng Yi. Urged by his generals, he claimed the Mandate of Heaven, founded the Eastern Han, and set his sights on unifying the empire.
— Li Bai Rugged is the road, I hear, Built by the pioneer. In front steep mountains rise; Beside my horse cloud flies. Over plank way trees hang down; Spring water girds the town. Decided our rise and fall. Do not bother at all!
Sima Xiangru (c. 179–118 BCE) was a renowned fu (rhapsody) writer of the Western Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Changqing, and he was from Chengdu, Shu Commandery (in present-day Sichuan). From a young age, he loved reading and swordsmanship. During the reign of Emperor Jing, he served as a Gentleman of the Mounted…