Six Cases from Ancient History

Chinese historiography is the most developed in the world, and its records are considered exceptionally reliable.

Even so, countless questions remain, including about many historical episodes familiar to the general public.

The "Six Cases" examined in this book are just such examples: the burning of books and burying of scholars, the fate of the Jianwen Emperor, Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean, Wang Anshi's reforms, the Western Han salt and iron conference, the mysteries surrounding Laozi and his writings, Zhao Kuangyin himself, and the history of the Southern Tang.

The events and figures involved are renowned throughout history, indeed household names. Yet the details are riddled with inaccuracies and unanswered questions.

Many ordinary readers know nothing about this. Drawing on extensive documentary research, this book scrutinizes and untangles the "Six Cases" like a microscope, combining knowledge, mystery, and scholarship.