Brief: This article recounts the Sweet Dew Incident, a failed coup by Emperor Wenzong of Tang against powerful eunuchs. After a previous plot collapsed, the emperor plotted with Li Xun and Zheng Zhu, using a fake “sweet dew” omen to trap eunuchs. Eunuch leader Qiu Shiliang saw through the ruse, seized the emperor, and…
Brief: This article focuses on Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan, leaders of the Tang Dynasty’s Ancient Prose Movement. It covers their literary reform against flowery parallel prose, their close friendship, and their moral integrity. It also tells Han Yu’s bold protest against Buddhism that led to exile, Liu Zongyuan’s achievements in exile, and how…