The Art of Power and Officialdom in Chinese History, Part One

This book features more than twenty famous power-holders from Chinese history, including Zichan, chancellor of the Zheng State; Lü Buwei, chancellor of Qin; Zhao Gao, a powerful minister at the end of the Qin Dynasty; Dou Xian, chancellor of the Eastern Han; Chen Fan, a worthy minister of the Eastern Han; Wang Dao, chancellor under three Eastern Jin emperors; Wang Meng, a celebrated statesman of the Former Qin; Wang Anshi, chancellor of the Northern Song; Wang Yaochen, a renowned Northern Song official; Zhang Juzheng, chancellor of the Ming; Huo Guang, a powerful minister of the Western Han; Wang Mang, a powerful minister of the Eastern Han; Yang Guozhong, a powerful minister of the Tang; Han Tuozhou, a powerful minister of the Southern Song; Ruan Dacheng, a treacherous minister at the end of the Ming; Zhang Zhidong, a senior official at the end of the Qing; and Yuan Shikai, an ambitious figure of the late Qing. These are stories of political stratagems: some men helped emperors govern their countries and won fame for generations, while others schemed for personal gain and left behind a foul reputation. These towering figures of history all used extraordinary intelligence and exceptional strategies to bring countless spectacular scenes to life and paint vivid historical epics. Their stories, imbued with profound and masterful political wisdom, are a precious spiritual legacy of the Chinese people. They can inspire humanity to think wisely and spur people to forge new glories.