Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
This article explores Eastern Han’s Partisan Prohibitions. Eunuchs branded scholar‑gentry like Li Ying and Chen Fan as “partisans,” triggering two brutal purges. Many were killed, exiled, or banned for life. The crackdown destroyed honest officials, fatally weakening the Han and paving the way for its collapse.
This article tells how Emperor Huan and five eunuchs overthrew tyrant Liang Ji, the “Bullying General.” Liang Ji poisoned Emperor Zhi, murdered loyal officials, and seized absolute power. Threatened by Liang’s plot against his favorite consort, the emperor allied with eunuchs to stage a coup and end the tyranny.
This article chronicles Eastern Han’s decline. After a eunuch coup restored Emperor Shun, eunuch clans and the Liang tyrants seized power. Zhang Gang denounced top officials as “wolves blocking the road,” yet his integrity went unrewarded. Endless tyranny and corruption fueled rebellion, dooming the dynasty.
Wu Chengxiu of Shengyang liked to make friends. Many of them were celebrities. One night, he dreamed someone said to him: “You have made lots of friends across the land. But you make friends without discrimination. Now there is a man with whom you can share weal and woe. Why don’t you make him…