•
Brief: This article explains the Case of the Stick Strike during the Wanli reign. A long succession dispute lingered between the emperor’s eldest son (Zhu Changluo) and favored son (Zhu Changxun). A man broke into the crown prince’s palace with a staff, arousing conspiracy suspicions. The emperor covered up the case to protect Noble…
•
Brief: This article traces Wu Zetian’s rise from a former concubine to China’s only female emperor. It covers her political struggle against loyal ministers, her joint rule with Emperor Gaozong, the suppression of rebellions, and her founding of the Zhou Dynasty. It also notes her use of secret police and favorites, as well as…