Lonely Minister of the Five Dynasties

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, wars continued, dynasties changed like a revolving lantern, warriors ruled the country, and people's lives were in danger. Feng Dao, a scholar from a poor family, lived in these turbulent times. He served as an official in five dynasties and eleven emperors throughout his life, firmly holding the position of prime minister and assistant, and becoming the most controversial "officialdom tumbler" in history. He abandoned the shackles of the traditional loyalty to the emperor and took peace of mind and the protection of cultural heritage as his lifelong aspiration: he spent all his wealth to help his neighbors in disaster years, tactfully admonished emperors at court for frivolous corvee and low taxes, sacrificed his name to save hundreds of thousands of people when the Khitan army came to Bianliang, and spent more than 20 years presiding over the engraving and printing of the Nine Classics to preserve the spark of civilization in troubled times. He lived a smooth life, was honest and self-responsible, did not form any clique or seek power, and he repeatedly saved the day in rebellions, power struggles, and coercion from foreign enemies. However, he also suffered from a millennium of infamy for changing owners and succumbing to foreign races many times. This book is based on detailed historical materials, connects his ups and downs and court games in half his life, deeply analyzes his survival wisdom, governing philosophy and inner struggle, and dialectically interprets his merits and demerits. Through the ups and downs of Feng Dao's life, we look back at the officialdom of the Five Dynasties, explore the eternal choices between integrity and pragmatism, fame and life, and leave a profound historical mirror for future generations.