This passage lays out camping and combat rules for four terrains: mountains, rivers, marshes and plains. It details optimal positions and tactics like striking foes halfway across water. Mastery of such geographic edges enabled the Yellow Emperor to defeat rival tribal lords.
by Han Fei Long ago, the Yellow Emperor assembled spirits and demons on Mount Tai.
The Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) is a legendary sovereign of high antiquity, revered as the progenitor of the Huaxia (early Chinese) people. Said to be the son of Shaodian, he originally bore the surname Gongsun. Because he resided at Xuanyuan Hill, he was also known as Xuanyuan Shi (“Master of Xuanyuan”). Later, after settling near…
This article tells Shi Le’s inspiring rise from a Jie slave to founding emperor of Later Zhao. Guided by strategist Zhang Bin, he unified northern China, governed with wisdom and mercy, and valued history despite being illiterate. His legacy proves courage and integrity can lift even the lowest‑born to greatness.
Originally titled Taishi Gong Shu (“Book of the Grand Historian”), the Shiji was compiled by Sima Qian (c. 145–c. 86 BCE) during the Western Han dynasty. It is China’s first comprehensive biographical universal history (jizhuanti tongshi), covering approximately three millennia – from the legendary Yellow Emperor to the reign of Emperor Wu of Han…
Sima Qian (c. 145 or 135 BCE – ?) was a preeminent historian and literary figure of the Western Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Zichang, and he was born in Xiayang (south of present-day Hancheng, Shaanxi). He was the son of Sima Tan, the Grand Historian (Taishi) of Emperor Wu’s court.