Yue Yi

  • Zhuge Liang

    Zhuge Liang (181–234 CE) was a preeminent statesman and military strategist of the Shu Han state during the Three Kingdoms period. His courtesy name was Kongming, and he was born in Yangdu, Langya Commandery (in present-day Yinan County, Shandong).

  • The chicken-crowers and dog-thieves: Lord Mengchang [Warring States]

    Among the Four Lords of the Warring States Period – Pingyuan, Xinling, Chunshen, and Mengchang – Tian Wen, Lord Mengchang, stood apart. The others served their homelands with unwavering loyalty: Lord Pingyuan defended Zhao, Lord Xinling stole the tally to save Zhao, and Lord Chunshen died in service to Chu. But Lord Mengchang drifted…

  • Mencius – Chapter 2.10 From Occupation to Revenge

    When the state of Qi invaded and defeated Yan, King Xuan asked Mencius: “Some advise me not to annex Yan; others urge me to take it. We, a great state of ten thousand chariots, conquered another great state in just fifty days – surely this is Heaven’s will! If I refuse to take it,…

  • The Fire-Bull Charge: Tian Dan’s miraculous defense [Warring States]

    During the Warring States period, King Min of Qi (r. 323–284 BCE) presided over a state at the height of its power – thanks to the legacies of his grandfather King Wei and father King Xuan. Confident in Qi’s strength, he even entered into an agreement with King Zhaoxiang of Qin to divide the…