Han Feizi recounts Duke Huan sent a scout to watch rebellious Prince Jiu. The envoy spotted his unnatural forced smile and blank gaze, proving his plot. The duke pressured Lu to execute the prince, showing inner schemes reveal themselves via odd behaviors.
This article profiles Huo Guang, the loyal regent of Western Han. He guided young Emperor Zhao with wise governance, but faced plots from rivals. The 14-year-old emperor exposed a forged accusation against him. Huo crushed the conspiracy, secured the throne, and maintained peace at the frontiers.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dong Zhuo’s seizure of power in Luoyang ushered in an era of brutality and tyranny. After deposing Emperor Shao and installing Emperor Xian, Dong Zhuo ruled with unchecked cruelty. He executed officials who dared to oppose him, burned cities, looted the imperial treasury, and instilled terror throughout the…