exile

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 22.12

    Han Feizi tells Chiyi Zipi’s snake fable. He had Tian Chengzi disguise as a servant, gaining safe, respectful passage.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 22.7

    Han Feizi tells Qing Feng planned to fee trouble to Yue. True safety comes from self-reform, not escaping far away.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 22.6

    Han Feizi tells Wu Zixu tricked a guard. He threatened false theft charges, forcing release with quick wit.

  • The Pen and the Sword: Han Yu, Liu Zongyuan, and the Ancient Prose Movement [Sui & Tang]

    This article focuses on Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan, leaders of the Tang Dynasty’s Ancient Prose Movement. It covers their literary reform against flowery parallel prose, their close friendship, and their moral integrity. It also tells Han Yu’s bold protest against Buddhism that led to exile, Liu Zongyuan’s achievements in exile, and how their…

  • Qu Yuan

    Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BCE) was a statesman and poet of the Warring States period, hailing from the state of Chu. His given name was Ping, and his courtesy name was Yuan. Born into the Chu aristocracy, he initially enjoyed the deep trust of King Huai of Chu and held key offices such as…

  • Su Wu’s Nineteen-Year Vigil in the Frozen North [Western Han]

    This article narrates Su Wu’s heroic captivity. As a Western Han envoy, he was trapped in a Xiongnu plot, refused to surrender despite torture and bribes, and was exiled to Lake Baikal to herd rams. For 19 years, he clung to his imperial staff, enduring extreme cold and hunger – an icon of unyielding…

  • Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng

    By Wang Bo (Tang Dynasty) The old prefecture of Yuzhang, now the new seat of Hongzhou.Its stars align with the constellations Yi and Zhen; its land borders Mount Heng and Mount Lu.Girded by the Three Rivers and belted by the Five Lakes, it commands the southern Jing region and links Ou and Yue.Here nature’s…

  • The tragic end of Qu Yuan [Warring States]

    This article narrates the life and tragic death of Qu Yuan. It details his loyalty to the State of Chu and his futile efforts to warn the king against the treacherous state of Qin. When his warnings were ignored, he was exiled to Xiangnan. Finally, upon hearing of Qin’s capture of Chu’s capital in…

  • The Rise and Fall of Confucius’ political career [Spring & Autumn]

    This article details the brief political zenith and subsequent exile of Confucius. It recounts how, between 501–497 BCE, he rose to become acting Prime Minister of Lu, implementing a unique blend of ritual propriety and rule of law that transformed the state into a near-utopia. However, fearing Lu’s revival, the rival state of Qi…