ancient china, chinese governance, chinese history, compassionate leadership, cultural heritage, ethics in leadership, flood relief, historical figures, imperial china, lady yan, moral decisions, mother's influence, qianlong emperor, qing dynasty, yan xishen

The Emperor’s Dilemma: Selecting a Successor in Ancient China

In ancient times, an emperor’s selection of a successor was a matter of paramount importance, a decision that could not be taken lightly. The future of the “realm” rested on this choice: Which son would inherit the throne? Who possessed the capability and wisdom to sustain a nation? With only one crown for the taking, ...

Michael Segarty

'The Kangxi Emperor's Southern Inspection Tour.'

Divine Intervention: Despair Turns to Blessings

During the Qing Dynasty, a family with the last name of Wang were in despair after losing nine sons in a row. The family had always worshiped Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the Goddess of Mercy, causing many people to wonder: Can it be that those who believe in deities will not be blessed? Fortunately, Avalokitesvara appeared in ...

Tatiana Denning

Statue of Avalokitesvara.

The Tale of a Teenage Bodyguard: A Journey of Bravery and Skill

During the last years of Emperor Qianlong’s reign and the early years of Emperor Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty, the land was in turmoil. Bandits were rampant, and those who traveled, especially in the northern regions, often did so with trepidation. Anyone carrying silver and valuables would invariably seek the protection of a skilled bodyguard. ...

Max Lu

A black donkey waiting in the countryside wearing a traditional saddle and saddlebag.

The Accuracy of Fortune-Telling: How Fate Can Be Altered by Good Deeds

Is fortune-telling accurate? This question has sparked different opinions for ages. Why do some fortune-tellers get their predictions right, while others miss the mark? What are the factors that determine the accuracy of fortune-telling? The following tale might just enlighten you. Xue Er’s fortune During the Qing Dynasty, there was a famous face reader in ...

Mikel Davis

A tree covered with spring blossoms next to West Lake in Hangzhou, China.

Stories of Ancient Healing Wisdom: Fighting Epidemics With Traditional Chinese Medicine

The world has been stricken with an epidemic so mysterious that even after three years of research using precise instruments, Western medicine has not fully understood its toxicity, nor has it developed the most accurate vaccine or prescription. Modern Chinese medicine, too, has failed to genuinely inherit the essence and intricacies contained in ancient traditional ...

Mikel Davis

Traditional Chinese herbal medicines.

A Young Girl and Her Martial Arts Skills

During the reign of the Qing Dynasty of the Tongzhi Emperor (1856-1875), a Jiangsu merchant named Jin spent considerable money purchasing five maritime ships to trade between the Eastern and Western oceans. Each ship had guards on board to ward off pirates, who were common enemies of merchants. Finally, in the spring of Jia-Zi (1864), ...

Helen London

A stormy ocean.