Official Historians in the Pre-Qin Era

In the Pre-Qin Era (the times before 221 B.C.) the political system of most Chinese feudal states was based on the separation of three powers. Monarchs and prime ministers held the administrative power, Dasikou (大司寇) held the judicial power, and Taishi (大史, also written as "太史" in later times, the title of official historians, also called Neishi [内史] or Shi [史]) held the power of recording history. Administrative officials couldn’t interfere in judicature, and they couldn’t impose their views upon Taishi.

The Man beside Me is not a Monarch, but a Contemptible Man

Shi Kang (师旷) was a famous musician of the Jin (晋) State in the Spring-Autumn Period. He was a hereditary official musician, and his position was called “Taishi” (太师). He was a straightforward man, and hated despotism.

Two Monarchs Facing Death

Zhu Wen-Gong was the monarch of Zhu State in the Spring-Autumn Period. In 614 B.C., he planed to move the capital to the city Yi, and he let a historiographer divine the future. The historiographer got a divinatory sign from an oracle tortoise plastron, and he told the monarch, “The move of the capital will benefit people, but it will be detrimental to the monarch.” Zhu Wen-Gong said, “If the move can benefit people, it is my honor. The Heaven let people live here and designate a monarch for benefiting them.

Qi Jing-Gong and Yan Ying

Qi Jing-Gong, the monarch of Qi State in the later days of the Spring-Autumn Period, was a statesman of great achievement. He was a romantic person and liked travel. He was on the throne in 58 years, and reversed the unfavorable situation of contending against Jin State and gained the upper hand. Through wise summit diplomacy, material assistance and beautiful women, the monarchs of many states including some allies of Jin State became the allies of Qi Jing-Gong.

An Elixir for Long Life

This story was in the Chu State in the Warring-States Period. At that time, the Chu State was the largest one of Chinese states, and her territory included the most regions of the south of China.

The Celebrity Effect for Advertising

Advertising is omnipresent nowadays. Many companies employ famous persons to advertise their products or be the advertising spokespersons for their brands. Yao Ming (姚明), a famed basketball player of NBA, is the advertising spokesperson of the athletic products of Reebok. Liu Xiang (刘翔), the first male Olympic track gold medalist of China, is the advertising spokesperson of Shengda (升达) Flooring. Even Mikhail Gorbachev, the leader of the former USSR, advertised the leather bags for Louis Vuitton, a French fashion design company.

Oriental Style

Age of Feudal States