SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Liu Che

  • The Price of Loyalty: Chao Cuo [Western Han]

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    Juan

    Brief: This article tells the tragic story of Chao Cuo. To strengthen Western Han’s central power, he advised Emperor Jing to reduce feudal lords’ territories, triggering the Seven Kingdoms Rebellion. The rebels demanded his death; the emperor betrayed and executed him. Though peace returned later, Chao paid the ultimate price for his loyalty.

  • Sima Xiangru

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    Ana

    Sima Xiangru (c. 179–118 BCE) was a renowned fu (rhapsody) writer of the Western Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Changqing, and he was from Chengdu, Shu Commandery (in present-day Sichuan). From a young age, he loved reading and swordsmanship. During the reign of Emperor Jing, he served as a Gentleman of the Mounted…