This article chronicles the epic journey of Duke Wen of Jin (Ji Chong’er), one of China’s Five Hegemons. It details his nineteen years of exile, marked by humiliation – such as begging for food at Wulu – and the fierce loyalty of his retainers. The narrative highlights his diplomatic promise to “retreat three she”…
This article recounts the legendary recruitment of Baili Xi by Duke Mu of Qin. It details how Duke Mu, seeking talent, discovered Baili Xi was herding horses in Chu. To avoid alerting the Chu king to Baili Xi’s value, Duke Mu ransomed him for merely five sheepskins, pretending he was just a fugitive slave.…
The first chapter of Romance of the Three Kingdoms skillfully juxtaposes two stories about “emperors and serpents”: one is the legend of the founding emperor, Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty, slaying a white serpent to rise in rebellion, and the other is the omen of the last emperor, Emperor Ling of Han, fainting…
In Chapter 14 of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong kills six bandits (symbolizing the ”Six Roots” of desire in Buddhist teachings) and is harshly rebuked by Tang Sanzang. Angered, he storms off and visits the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea.
For new readers of the Dao De Jing, there are two essential points to understand beforehand.