SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Empress Dowager Zhang

  • The Palace Intrigues and the Rise of Yan Song [Ming]

    •

    Juan

    Brief: This article recounts the Jiajing Emperor’s long reign. He won the Great Rites Controversy, crushed official dissent, and became obsessed with Taoism. A palace maid assassination attempt left him reclusive. Yan Song rose by writing divine prayers, seized power, and ruled corruptly for 20 years, while Mongol raids and Wokou pirates threatened the…

  • The Unorthodox Learning: Wang Yangming and the Awakening of Minds [Ming]

    •

    Juan

    Brief: This article introduces Wang Yangming, a great Ming philosopher and general. Exiled for opposing eunuch Liu Jin, he attained enlightenment at Longchang and founded the School of Mind (mind is principle, unity of knowledge and action). He suppressed the Ning Prince rebellion and inspired a new intellectual trend, marking a key turning point…