The Origins of the Controversy The debate over whether Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang (孝庄皇太后) married her brother-in-law, the powerful regent Dorgon […]
The Precarious Role of a Regent in Imperial China The story of Dorgon (多尔衮), the Prince-Regent of the early Qing […]
The Manchurian Custom of Levirate Marriage The debate surrounding whether Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang married her brother-in-law Dorgon after Emperor Hongtaiji’s […]
A Tumultuous Transition in the Qing Dynasty The alleged marriage between Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Prince Regent Dorgon remains one […]
A Childhood Shaped by Manchurian Royal Politics The complex relationship between Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang (1613-1688) and Prince Regent Dorgon (1612-1650) […]
The Political Landscape of Early Qing Dynasty The question of whether Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang married her brother-in-law Dorgon remains one […]
A Pivotal Mystery of the Qing Dynasty The question of whether Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang married her brother-in-law Dorgon remains one […]
The Historical Background of Two Rising Stars The early 17th century witnessed the dramatic rise of the Later Jin dynasty […]
The Han Dynasty’s Struggle Against the Xiongnu In the 2nd century BCE, the Han Dynasty faced a formidable adversary: the […]
The Han Dynasty’s Western Ambitions In 139 BCE, during the Jianyuan era of Emperor Wu of Han, a minor court […]
A Father’s Wrath and a Son’s Desperation In the twilight years of Emperor Wu of Han’s reign (141–87 BCE), a […]
The Rise of Jiang Chong and the Seeds of Distrust In the twilight years of Emperor Wu of Han’s reign […]
The Twilight Years of a Warrior Emperor By the late reign of Emperor Wu of Han (141–87 BCE), the once-vigorous […]
A Clash of Wills in Imperial China Emperor Wu of Han, one of China’s most formidable rulers, was known for […]
The Imperial Court of Emperor Wu: A Stage for Debate The reign of Emperor Wu of Han (141–87 BCE) marked […]
A Clash of Titans in Imperial China The relationship between Emperor Wu of Han (156–87 BCE) and his outspoken minister […]
From Court Scholar to Castrated Clerk: The Tragedy That Transformed Sima Qian In 99 BCE, the Han Dynasty’s Grand Historian […]
A Revolutionary Work in Chinese Historiography Among China’s Twenty-Four Histories, Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) stands unparalleled. Unlike its […]
A Love Story or a Calculated Scheme? The tale of Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun is often celebrated as one […]
The Intriguing Prelude: A Calculated Courtship In the bustling town of Linqiong during China’s Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE), […]
From Humble Beginnings to Literary Aspirations Sima Xiangru, originally named Sima Changqing, was born into a wealthy family during China’s […]
An Unconventional Advisor in Han Dynasty China During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (141-87 BCE), one figure stood […]
