3rd century BCE, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, Qin dynasty, quotes, stories
When Er Shi Huangdi 二世皇帝 (r. 209-207 BCE), the second (and last) emperor of the Qin dynasty, came to the throne, he decided to lacquer the Great Wall. The dwarf jester You Zhan 優旃 (Jester Twisty Pole) used the reductio ad absurdum technique to dissuade him. This is...
8th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories, Tang dynasty
During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (r. 713-56), his beloved consort (and one of the most famous in Chinese history), Yang Guifei, showed great favouritism towards her `adopted’ son, An Lushan, the man who later instigated a rebellion which brought down the...
11th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Song dynasty, stories
During the Xining reign period (1068-77) of Emperor Shenzong 宋神宗 (r. 1067-85), Prime Minister Wang Anshi (1021-86) implemented his New Reform Laws. Wanting to make use of people’s talents, he sometimes bypassed the formal channels to appoint people who had not...
12th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Song dynasty, stories
A frequent feature of Chinese jesterdom was the pre-prepared skit, which could be said to have been precursors, or at least contributors, to the development of drama in China. Jesters would work out a storyline in order to get a point across to the emperor, echoing...
