This is Explanation Five from Han Feizi: Inner Congested Sayings, Part II. It assembles cases on how royal favour distorts succession and brings usurpation and regicide. Unlike prior sections focusing on ministers’ frauds, it highlights a root structural issue: uncertain inheritance fuels all palace intrigues.
This excerpt is from “Canon Six: Dismissal and Appointment” in Han Feizi. It shifts focus from domestic governance to international relations, exposing a cross‑border power tactic: hostile states undermine a realm by meddling in its official appointments instead of waging war.
This Han Feizi passage examines “Mutual Suspicion Among Rivals”. Citing multiple Spring‑and‑Autumn power‑struggle cases, it argues blurred hierarchies breed deadly political turmoil, so wise rulers must enforce clear rank distinctions.
Han Fei explains Daoist paradoxical strategy: expand to shrink, give to take. Weakness and hidden plans defeat the strong.
Han Feizi tells Duke Yu’s story: greedy for jade and horses, he ignored warnings and lost his state.
This article chronicles the rise of Duke Wen of Jin, a pivotal figure of the Spring and Autumn period. It details his nineteen years of exile, his strategic return to power, and his restoration of King Xiang of Zhou, which earned him imperial favor. The narrative culminates in the Battle of Chengpu (632 BCE),…
This article chronicles the epic journey of Duke Wen of Jin (Ji Chong’er), one of China’s Five Hegemons. It details his nineteen years of exile, marked by humiliation – such as begging for food at Wulu – and the fierce loyalty of his retainers. The narrative highlights his diplomatic promise to “retreat three she”…