This is the second volume in this book series. The author plans to cover the most influential figures and their stories in the Eastern Zhou period (770 B.C. to 221 B.C.) in two books. I hope the readers find the stories interesting and are also able to learn some important aspects of ancient Chinese culture and history which still have a major influence today.This volume contains six carefully selected stories covering events from over two thousand years ago. What follows are highlights of the stories. Sun Bin, one of the greatest military strategists in ancient China, escaped from extreme adversity and lead his army to legendary victories against his enemy; Cheng Ying, a loyal subject, sacrificed everything he had to take on the formidable task of raising the orphan of his master; Baili Xi, who left his wife when he was young to seek a successful political career, struggled for his entire life and finally reunited with his family; Guan Zhong, one of the most outstanding politicians and military strategists, overcame a death sentence and helped his new lord build the first hegemony of that period; Zheng Zhuang-gong, a lord of Zheng state who broke with his mother after an unbearable experience, eventually found an intelligent way to show respect to his mother without violating his oath to Heaven; and Confucius, the well-know thinker and educator, experienced various aspects of life and went through many ordeals, left us with precious intellectual thoughts and a long lasting philosophy.The stories happened in the historical periods of China called Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period, spanning from 770 to 221 BC.
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