A Practical Compendium of Palace Intrigue and Schemes in Chinese History, Volume One

From different angles, this book recounts how rulers and ministers in feudal society used their wits and fought to the death, both inside and outside the palace, for imperial power. Here, emperors could disregard family ties and unleash bloody purges to protect their thrones; sons dared to murder their fathers and seize the throne, defying all human bonds; brothers fought bitterly for the crown, turning against their own flesh and blood; consorts seized control, establishing their own authority and ruling from behind the curtain; powerful ministers usurped authority, deceived the emperor, and grew arrogantly self-important; eunuchs seized control of the court and dominated the government. The words “imperial power” turned all intelligence into intrigue, and stained every crown with blood. These chilling palace scandals and horrifying scenes of carnage offer later generations profound lessons and much to reflect on. They remind us to remember history and avoid repeating its mistakes.