King Hui of Wei

  • Snail‑Horn Wars and the Limits of Human Judgement

    This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Ze Yang unpacks fables like the snail‑horn‑war parable. It stresses authentic inner virtue over scheming, noting human judgements are relative and worldly conflicts look trivial from a cosmic Dao perspective.

  • Chapter 25. Ze Yang

    This Zhuangzi ‑ Ze Yang chapter includes the famous snail‑horns parable. Through varied dialogues, it diminishes human conflicts, explores relational causation, and advocates transcending narrow worldly standpoints for the Dao.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 22.4

    Han Feizi shows Peng Xi advised Zheng’s ruler to reject Wei’s alliance. Powerful states oppose a supreme ruler for self-interest.

  • Mencius – Chapter 1.3 Beyond Relief: Sustainable Benevolence

    King Hui of Liang said, “When it comes to governing my state, I have done my utmost. If there is famine in Henei (north of the Yellow River), I move the people there to Hedong (the territory east of the Yellow River) and convey grain from Hedong to Henei. When famine strikes Hedong, I…

  • Mencius – Chapter 1.2 Shared Joy, Shared Rule

    Mencius went to see King Hui of Liang, who stood by a pond, gazing at the swans, geese, elks and deer, and said, “Do virtuous men also take delight in such scenes?”

  • Mencius – Chapter 1.1 Benevolence & Righteousness over Profit

    Mencius went to see King Hui of Liang, who said, “Venerable sir, you have traveled a thousand miles to see me – surely you must have some way to benefit my state?”

  • The Strategist’s Revenge: Sun Bin vs. Pang Juan [Warring States]

    This article narrates the legendary rivalry and revenge of Sun Bin against his treacherous fellow student, Pang Juan, during the Warring States period. It details Sun Bin’s harrowing escape from Wei, where he faked madness and death to evade Pang Juan’s spies. The narrative highlights two pivotal battles: the Battle of Guiling, where Sun…

  • The feigned madness of Sun Bin [Warring States]

    This article recounts the harrowing tale of Sun Bin and his descent into a feigned madness to survive the treachery of his former classmate, Pang Juan, during the Warring States period. It details how Pang Juan, jealous of Sun Bin’s superior military genius, framed him, leading to the cruel punishment of kneecap removal and…

  • The iron reformer: Shang Yang [Warring States]

    This article chronicles the rise of Wei Yang (Shang Yang), the “Iron Reformer” of the Qin state during the Warring States period. It details his recruitment by Duke Xiao of Qin, who sought to transform his backward, humiliated state into a superpower. The narrative highlights Wei Yang’s legendary “Log at the South Gate” test…