SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

power monopoly

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 11.3

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    Juan

    Han Feizi warns weak rulers let cliques seize power. Unchecked, states fall like Qi and Jin, despite wealth and land.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 7.1

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    Juan

    Han Feizi’s core rule: rulers must monopolize punishment and reward. Losing either lets ministers usurp power, endangering the throne.

  • The cruel official-merchant struggle in “Tian Qilang”

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    Ana

    The conflict between Wu Chengxiu (representing “merchants” and the wealthy class) and the censor’s younger brother (representing “officials” and power networks) in Strange Tales from Liaozhai: Tian Qilang may seem to stem from a servant’s misconduct, but it actually tears away the cruel veil of “struggles between officials and merchants” in feudal society.