ancient china, ancient crime solving, ancient justice systems, chinese history, historical detective stories, imperial china, legal history, murder mysteries, tang dynasty

Pingyang, the Princess Warrior of the Tang Dynasty

In the annals of history, princesses are often envisioned as delicate figures adorned in finery, far removed from the harsh realities of battle. Yet Princess Pingyang, the sister of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, shatters this stereotype, standing tall as a warrior heroine of her era. In the year A.D. 617, the father of ...

Mikel Davis

Illustration of Princess Pingyang, the princess warrior of China's Tang Dynasty.

Divorce Requirements in Ancient China

In ancient China, if a man wanted to divorce his spouse, he could not do it on a whim; he had to fulfill the requirements for divorce. In the ancient divorce system, repudiation was the most typical form of divorce.  If the wife failed her responsibilities in one of the seven areas the ancients held ...

Helen London

Young Asian woman wearing a traditional red and gold kwan kwa wedding dress.

Lu Zongdao and Meng Xin: Stories of Unwavering Honesty in Ancient China

During the time when Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty was still the crown prince, Lu Zongdao played a crucial role as his tutor. Despite his esteemed position, Lu Zongdao faced the challenge of poverty, notably lacking in suitable wine vessels at home. This limitation led him to a humble yet creative solution: Whenever friends ...

Mikel Davis

AI-generated illustration of a Chinese scholar sitting in a garden studying an open book.

Lin Xiangru: Master of Diplomacy in the Warring States Era

The Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Period (770–221 B.C.) was a golden age in ancient Chinese history. Not only did it produce many schools of thought that had a profound impact on future generations, but it also produced many outstanding military figures. Among them, there was Lin Xiangru, a famous statesman and diplomat ...

Mikel Davis

AI-generated image showing a Chinese minister carrying a precious piece of jade to present it to the ruler at court.

Fan Zhongyan’s Diligence and Resilience

Fan Zhongyan’s mother, Mrs. Xie, had a difficult life, experienced much hardship, and tasted many bitter experiences. As a result, she placed great hope in her son. Inspired by the dedication of Mencius’ mother, Mrs. Xie devoted herself to her son’s education. Fan Zhongyan disciplined himself like the famed Chinese philosopher Yan Hui and worked ...

Mikel Davis

Fan Zhongyan.

Embracing Harmony and Tolerance: Wisdom From Ancient China

Tolerance, patience, generosity, and kindness are easily spoken of, but they are challenging to embody, especially in today’s fast-paced world. In interpersonal dealings, the ability to show tolerance is not just admirable, but is also instrumental in resolving conflicts. Stories from ancient China, steeped in traditional culture, offer insightful examples of how these virtues were ...

Mikel Davis

Huashan mountain in China.

Emperor Taizong’s Reign: The Golden Age of the Tang Dynasty

During the final years of the Sui Dynasty, chaos reigned as heroes rose across the land. With his remarkable wisdom and courage, Li Shimin (598-649) led an army of benevolence and righteousness. He helped his father, Li Yuan, stabilize the realm and founded the great Tang Dynasty in A.D. 618. Upon ascension in A.D 626, ...

Mikel Davis

Illustration of Emperor Taizong of Tang in front of the Forbidden City.