military power

  • Mencius – Chapter 1.5 The invincible power of benevolence

    King Hui of Liang said to Mencius, “In the world there was not a stronger state than mine, as you, venerable sir, know, but during my reign, we have been defeated by the State of Qi on the east with my eldest son’s life sacrificed there; on the west we have lost seven hundred…

  • The unstoppable rise of Dong Zhuo [Three Kingdoms]

    In the late Eastern Han dynasty, imperial power had weakened dramatically. Eunuchs and imperial relatives held real authority, while regional warlords began to assert their independence. After the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion(Yellow Scarves Uprising), the entire social order was on the brink of collapse.

  • The politics of legitimacy: Li Ru’s strategy for Dong Zhuo [Three Kingdoms]

    In the second chapter of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, He Jin intended to exterminate the Ten Regular Attendants but hesitated due to indecisiveness. Despite repeated persuasions from his subordinates, he delayed taking action. Forced by circumstances, Yuan Shao suggested summoning local troops to the capital to eliminate the eunuch faction. Thus, He Jin…