chinese history, honesty, integrity, scholar, song dynasty, wang gongchen

The Tale of Wang Gongchen: The Honest Scholar of the Song Dynasty

In the annals of history, countless examples of individuals have risen from humble beginnings to achieve great things. One such person is Wang Gongchen, a scholar from the Song Dynasty whose story of honesty and integrity continues to inspire even today.  Wang Gongchen’s early life Born into a poor family, Wang Gongchen lost his father ...

Max Lu

Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains, by the Yuan Dynasty painter Huang Guangwang (1269 - 1354)., Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), ink on paper hand scroll.

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.

Rare and Exquisite Beauties of China: Ban Zhao

Ban Zhao, also known as Hui Ji (48-117 CE), was a renowned Chinese scholar and historian of the Eastern Han Dynasty. In addition, she was a talented teacher and author, a great beauty, and a woman of high moral character. Let us get to know the knowledgeable and virtuous “female saint” — the teacher of ...

Tatiana Denning

The 'Book of Han.'

A Scholar Who Failed the Imperial Exam Became the Emperor’s Teacher

During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, there was once a scholar who traveled a great distance from his hometown to reach the capital in order to sit for the Imperial Exam. Although he was knowledgeable, he failed to pass the exam. People who knew him felt sorry for him. Annoyed at this outcome, ...

Mikel Davis

Chinese landscape painting with a pavilion on a lake next to a bridge.

Nan Fung: The Legend of a Scholar in the Qing Dynasty

There was a scholar at Jiangxi, Nan Fung, whose literary talent was outstanding in the Qing Dynasty. He wrote extremely well and authored thousands of essays in a short period. However, to earn more money, Nan Fung assisted criminals by adding lies in their defense to reduce their crimes. As a result, many criminals escaped ...

Max Lu

A closeup view of jail cell iron bars casting shadows on the prison floor.