Name: A Brief History of the Chu State
Author: Wang Wei

Synopsis

From the founding of the state, Chu’s soldiers and generals steadily expanded its territory. Beginning with a city-state of just fifty li, Chu conquered the Yue peoples of the south and then marched north to fight the hegemons of the Central Plains. Its kings were imposing figures, whether clever and courageous or bent on supremacy. Over the course of 800 years and more than forty generations of rulers, Chu weathered countless rises and falls while steadily expanding its borders. For a time, it became the largest, most populous, and most powerful state, absorbing, blending, and innovating across cultures. To this day, Chu has had a profound influence on the Yangtze River basin and the southeast and southwest of China. It was not only the most brilliant and splendid of the states in the Chinese heartland, but once stood at the pinnacle of civilization worldwide. Yet this remarkable history was lost when Qin unified the land and destroyed the historical records and documents of the other states. The rich and magnificent culture of Chu was absorbed into the great melting pot of Chinese civilization, and its once-vivid, glorious history became scattered sparks amid the ashes. Today, people can find only a few traces of it in the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Book of Songs. With weighty prose, this book brings to life the eight-hundred-year history of Chu’s rise and fall. Each historical period focuses on the fates of important figures and the direction of Chu’s development, letting its brilliant history and culture rise again through the written word and restoring its grand, magnificent historical tapestry.

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23.3kReads · all time

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Reader comments 11

Translated by Google Translate

In the 800th year of the Chu Kingdom, from the land of barbarians, they worked hard, learned and progressed, and developed culture and military. Get stronger step by step. Although it was destroyed, the culture will not be destroyed and the people's hearts will not die. It is also the spirit of the Chinese people.
11 likes4y ago
This book is very interesting. It tells the history of Chu State and made me understand the struggles of Chu people and the rise and fall of Chu State. I think of my own study, which requires continuous efforts to achieve good results, just like the Chu people who expanded their territories. I don't like the emperor of Zhou Dynasty. He didn't recognize the Chu people and led his army to attack them. Fortunately, the Chu people were very powerful and won the victory. I want to learn from Chu people and not be afraid of difficulties and work hard to achieve my goals. This book made me very interested in history, and I wanted to know more about the story of Chu.
7 likes2y ago
History tells us that we only see the positive side but not the negative side, and underestimate the impact of the environment on life.
3 likes2y ago
A book that tells a general story about a country is very interesting.
2 likes3y ago
Understand the history and culture of Chu State in Huainan City and increase the historical knowledge of Huainan City.
1 like1y ago
A history book with authentic and thorough historical data, a historical reference book worth recommending. It is suggested that historians should consider the psychological factors of King Huai of Chu's determination to enter Qin when analyzing his family relationship with Qin.
1 like2y ago
Good book, worth reading!
1 like2y ago
Live until you are old and learn until you are old.
1 like3y ago
Well, the boring history is filled with ups and downs and poured into my mind like a story. The Chu State moved from barbarism to civilization step by step.
1 like3y ago
It is true and objective, with multiple descriptions, novel writing techniques and profound knowledge.
1y ago

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A Brief History of the Chu State

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