Empress Wu was stunning in her beauty, in her ruthless elimination of rivals (including sons and daughters), and, most important, in her discernment.Wu Zetian was esteemed for appointing capable officials throughout the realm, and she implemented reforms that improved standards of higher education, gave some status to women, and democratized the recruitment of candidates for official posts by eliminating the requirement that they be nominated by someone within the establishment.

Mr. Woo continues his history of China from 1911, when the Qing dynasty was overthrown after the death of Empress Dowager Cixi, to modern times: a tumultuous century that saw chaos and warlords, invasions, regime change, confiscation of property, and later a return to a mixed economy allowing some capitalist features. In fact, China now has over 100 billionaires - but many families lost everything along the way.To understand the context of today's international face-off in the Sout...

Digging into Chinese folktales, Mr. Woo tells us stories about falling in love in a world that is distant in time and place, distinct in culture and expectations, each with a touch of the exotic. In these tales dating from the Han Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, dramas unfold in the Imperial palace, along the back roads, and in gardens perfumed with the scent of peony blossoms in the moonlight.Gathered together for the first time in English, seventeen love stories from China bring to ...

I grew up in an unhappy family, which confused me about life. No family joy. No support. No confidence. It seemed everything pushed me into a struggling world. I became extremely sensitive and unstable.At a young age, I always thought about the meaning of my existence and wanted to write a book, but the choice of the topic was uncertain. Until recently, digging into my family history helped me make the decision. A book about my family history over four generations during a cruel an...

Grandma Moon discovered a peculiar taro named Mon in her garden, who could make crops grow during a drought and turn lead into gold. On top of that, the taro claimed to be her son! Their peaceful life was soon interrupted by jealous neighbors and a greedy magistrate with great ambitions. Mon entered the magistrate's service to protect his mother and the village, and in turn, found something unexpected for a taro—true love!Follow Mon's unusual journey and find out how a little taro ...

Hana is troubled by the drought overtaking her village. With her grandmother falling ill, the young girl leaves the village to find answers. On the way, she meets a tree spirit that inhabits her teddy bear, Sora. The two then discover the reason for the drought ravaging the land: the kappa. These water sprites don't like humans and have grown to despise them even more when the river became polluted from the villagers' carelessness. The Kappa King diverted the river flow and vowed to destro...

Le Loi's exploits to repel China's Ming forces from Dai Viet (a territory that is part of present-day Vietnam) is well known throughout history. However, history often overlooks that his fiery will for freedom from oppression was also backed by the Will of Heaven. Le Loi and his rebels did not fight the Mings alone. The magic sword called Thuan Thien—a loan from the Dragon King, Long Vuong—played no small part in that victory.Those in later dynasties would come to see this as ficti...

My Nuong's life had been neatly packed inside a gilded cage. Up until recently, My Nuong had no idea how powerless she felt, but there was one place in which she still had dominion, and that was her heart. What started as a fancy daydream made its way into My Nuong's reality when the sheltered girl fell for a mysterious boatman who played his flute on the sea.The boatman, Truong Chi, loved her from afar, and upon meeting in person, fell in love with My Nuong all over again. My Nuon...

The handsome Cao brothers were said to be as indistinguishable as two drops of water. When the elder married Miss Luu, the younger naturally tagged along. However, once their similarity caused a misunderstanding and strained marital felicity, brotherly love turned to resentment. The inseparable pair parted ways.In the end, love always prevail but their reunion was bittersweet. The brothers and Miss Luu would forever be immortalized for their loyalty and love--the love between broth...

A love that brought down a nation. Trong Thuy and My Chau never expected to find true love in the midst of their alliance marriage. However, family and country demanded loyalty when betrayal and ambition threatened to destroy their peaceful lives. Despite attempting to remain together, their union was only possible in the world beyond the veil.People say this tragic tale is just a legend, but the remnants of their love remain in modern day through every pink pearl found on Vietnam'...

An evil stepmother, a wicked sister, a fairy guardian, a beautiful slipper, and destined love. They may sound all too familiar, but did you know this isn't Cinderella's story? At least, not the one you know about. Tam's trials to have happily ever after isn't for the faint of heart.True love may come but once in a lifetime. For Tam, it takes losing her life many times to finally have and keep true love. Come, read her tale, and learn of this Vietnamese Cinderella's story.

Raised in an era where war is custom, three newly recruited deacons find themselves embroidered in a chess game whose players are unknown. Sides will be offered, yet none will be taken. Lies will be told, yet none will be believed. As the trio battles through trials and missions' alike secrets and mysteries will be revealed that change the world around them. Three is the number of completion, but will this trio complete their goals? Or will the chains of war that encompass them enslave the...