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
In a time where strict adherence to protocol was the norm in the Qing Dynasty, Lady Yan, the mother of a conscientious local official, Yan Xishen, dared to defy convention in a moment of crisis. Her act of bold compassion not only saved thousands, but also reshaped the career and legacy of her son. Yan ...
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, ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
In 1896, at the age of 59, Wu Xun fell ill. This beggar, whose fame had already spread far and wide, continued to think day and night about raising money to establish even more free schools. Unwilling to spend money on medicine, he succumbed to his illness. He passed away in one of the very ...
During the Cultural Revolution, Wu Xun was labeled as a “traitor of the working people.” In the summer of 1966, Red Guards in Guan County, Shandong, smashed open Wu Xun’s tomb, destroyed his statue, and paraded his coffin through the streets. His bones were shattered by hammers and, along with the coffin, were ultimately burned ...
Emperor Kangxi, born Aisin Gioro Xuan Ye, ascended the throne at the age of eight and reigned for 61 years, from 1661 to 1722. His chosen reign name, “Kangxi,” which means “peaceful harmony,” represented his desire for the well-being and benevolence of his people. Under his rule, China became the largest country in terms of ...
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), ...