SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Dao’an

  • Beyond the World: Tao Yuanming

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    Juan

    The Rot of Aristocratic Rule The fall of the Western Jin dynasty stemmed from the imperial family’s self-destructive infighting. When the court fled south and reestablished itself as the Eastern Jin, a new poison took root: aristocratic dominance. Powerful gentry clans – especially northern emigre families like the Wangs, Yus, Huans, and Xies –…

  • The Battle of Fei River

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    Juan

    The Fateful Decision to Invade Jin In 382 CE, Fu Jian, Heavenly King of Former Qin, stunned his court by declaring his intent to launch a full-scale invasion of the Eastern Jin dynasty. “For over twenty years I’ve pacified the four directions – only the southeast remains. I cannot eat or sleep thinking of…

  • Mount Lu Viewed from Xunyang at Dusk [Tang Poems]

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    Ana

    –Meng Haoran For miles and miles I sail and float; High famed mountains are hard to seek. By riverside I moor my boat, Then I perceive the Censer Peak. Knowing the Monk Yuan’s life and way, I love his solitary dell. His hermitage not far away, I hear at sunset but the bell.