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The Controversy of the Huaixi Stele Following the successful suppression of the Huaixi rebellion, Emperor Xianzong sought to commemorate the victory with a monumental stele. He commissioned Han Yu, a trusted official and participant in the campaign, to write the inscription. Han Yu, serving under the chief commander Pei Du, naturally emphasized Pei’s strategic…
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Empress Jia’s Bloody Ascendancy After orchestrating the successive eliminations of Yang Jun, Prince Sima Liang of Ruyan, Wei Guan, and Prince Sima Wei of Chu, Empress Jia Nanfeng seized sole control of the Western Jin court. Outwardly, she feigned grief; inwardly, she gloated. When ministers proposed Zhang Hua as chief minister to stabilize the…
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— Liu Zongyuan Tired of officialdom for long, I’m glad to be banished southwest. At leisure I hear farmer’s song; Haply I look like hillside guest. At dawn I cut grass wet with dew; My boat comes o’er pebbles at night. To and fro there’s no man in view; I chant till southern sky…
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— Liu Zongyuan Over the islets disperse clouds of last night, The rising sun makes poolside village bright. A tall tree overlooks the water clear; Raindrops fall, startled by the wind severe. Unoccupied, my mind is just carefree; By chance the tree plays host to welcome me.