In the tumultuous times of the Qing Dynasty, a man named Fang Guancheng (1696-1768) from Tongcheng experienced a life filled with both fortuitous encounters and narrow escapes from peril. His early years were marked by adversity when his father was forcibly conscripted into the army due to involvement with a distinguished author whose works sparked ...
In a world where the line between good and evil can be as thin as a single thought, the story of Wei Yu, an eccentric figure from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China era, stands as a testament to the profound impact a single moment of kindness can have on one’s ...
During the Qing Dynasty, an older man surnamed Yin in Jixi County, Anhui Province, had a close relationship with Mr. Liu. Before Mr. Liu died, he entrusted his son to Mr. Yin. After growing up, Mr. Liu’s son had an unsettled mind, wandered outside all day, had a bad character, and spent his days drinking, ...
After rising to the pinnacle of power under Emperor Qianlong, the notoriously corrupt official Heshen ultimately faced his inevitable reckoning. There were some lower-ranking officials who dared to challenge him directly, but their attempts bore no fruit while the emperor still lived. For example, in the 51st year of Qianlong’s reign, an imperial censor named ...
The tale of Heshen, remembered for being one of the richest men in history as well as one of the most corrupt Chinese officials to ever live, is well-known in every Chinese household. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, herose to the pinnacle of power, second only to the emperor himself, holding positions such as ...
In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Tang Yingzeng, who was from Pizhou, was exceptionally skilled at playing the pipa, a traditional Chinese lute, so people called him Tang Pipa. Because his family was poor, he couldn’t afford to get married, leaving him and his mother to rely solely on each other. Tang was ...
In the ninth year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign, the highly ranked court scholar Sun Qizhan, who served as an attendant and secretary beside the Emperor, recorded some character traits he had observed about Emperor Kangxi. Emperor Kangxi’s character traits Modest and diligent, respects Heaven, and loves the people Emperor Kangxi pondered: “How can I surpass ...
At the end of the Qing Dynasty (1636 – 1912), a pear paste candy store thrived in Shanghai. The store, renowned for its bustling business, was adorned with a plaque bearing the bold characters for “Heaven Knows.” Directly across from this store was Yu’s Store, a fruit shop pivotal to the candy store’s success. In ...
Most Qing emperors were renowned for their diligent governance, with Yongzheng standing out as a particularly exceptional ruler. Sakuji Saeki, a Japanese historian, lauded him, saying: “Without Yongzheng, the Qing Dynasty would have likely faced an early decline.” He was an emperor of remarkable political acumen and capability. Emperor Yongzheng’s strict governance and high moral ...
Plagues have the power to topple the mightiest empires and disband the strongest armies. Seemingly impartial and ruthless, neither wealth nor power offer protection. Even a nation’s ruler can easily fall victim. Despite our advanced material and scientific civilization, we have not been immune to the indeterminate origins of current viral crises. However, plagues are ...