Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
This excerpt comes from Explanation One in Han Feizi: Inner Congested Sayings, Part II. Centered on three arguments‑power as abyss, reward‑punishment as sharp tools, minor favours building influence, it draws a chilling conclusion: powerful ministers controlling information can completely overturn what people see with their own eyes.
This excerpt is from “Canon One: Delegated Authority” in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries Part II, the first of the Six Subtleties and a core political axiom. In concise wording, it reveals the “first law of power physics”: once power is delegated, it can hardly be reclaimed.
Han Feizi tells Lord Jingguo planned walls for his fief Xue and barred all advisers. A man won audience with a risky three-word opening “Big sea fish”, using the fish-sea metaphor to prove Qi was his core backing. Persuaded, the lord canceled construction.
This article narrates the legendary rivalry and revenge of Sun Bin against his treacherous fellow student, Pang Juan, during the Warring States period. It details Sun Bin’s harrowing escape from Wei, where he faked madness and death to evade Pang Juan’s spies. The narrative highlights two pivotal battles: the Battle of Guiling, where Sun…