This article explains the 314 BC Qi invasion of Yan during China’s Warring States Period. Qi seized Yan in 50 days as locals welcomed them as liberators from civil war. But Qi’s looting and cruelty turned public anger. Facing diplomatic pressure and rebellion, Qi withdrew. The disaster led to Yan’s revival under King Zhao,…
In the ruthless arena of the Warring States, where strength was the only law, King Kuai of Yan committed a fatal error: he tried to be a saint. Blinded by the allure of ancient virtue, he attempted to abdicate his throne to his scheming minister, Zizhi, hoping to emulate legendary sages. Instead of earning…
Han Feizi describes the dangers of persuasion. Any speaking style gets misjudged; honest advice risks blame, reflecting the perils of autocratic court politics.
Mohism was one of the major philosophical schools of the pre-Qin period in ancient China. It was founded by Mozi (personal name Di, also romanized as Mo Di).
Mo Di (c. 468–376 BCE), commonly known as Mozi (“Master Mo”), was a seminal thinker, political theorist, and founder of the Mohist school during the transitional period between the Spring and Autumn and Warring States eras of ancient China. Born into a family of humble artisan or small-scale craftsman origins, Mozi possessed exceptional skill…
Mozi is the title of the foundational text of Mohism, serving as a comprehensive compilation of writings by Mo Di‘s disciples and later followers. According to the Yiwenzhi (Treatise on Literature) in the Book of Han (Hanshu) compiled by Ban Gu in the Eastern Han dynasty, the original text comprised 71 chapters; today, 53…
Fan Ju (? – 255 BCE) was a prominent Chancellor of the State of Qin during the Warring States period. His courtesy name was Shu, and he was a native of Ruicheng in the State of Wei (modern-day Ruicheng County, Shanxi).