Good Man !!install!!: Tang Dynasty
Beyond legends, how did an ordinary Tang man become a "Good Man"? Archaeological finds, including the (family instruction texts), reveal practical standards:
One bitter winter, a starving soldier crawled into the cemetery, his armor rusted to his flesh. "They call you a good man," the soldier hissed. "Give me your horse, or I will take your life."
Amused, the Emperor summoned Lady Lu and presented her with a cup of "wine"—actually vinegar—threatening she must drink it if she refused to allow concubines. Without hesitation, Lady Lu drank the vinegar. The Emperor laughed and withdrew the concubines. The phrase "eating vinegar" (吃醋) became slang for jealousy in romance. tang dynasty good man
The soldier refused, but Gao closed the man’s fist around the jade. "I have no family," Gao said. "My grave will be dug by strangers. But if you live one honest day because of this token, then I will have left a mark deeper than any tombstone."
Gao did not argue. Instead, he reached into his robe and pulled out a single object: a jade yüeh —a crescent-shaped token given only by the Emperor himself. It was old, chipped, and real. Years ago, Gao had saved the life of a drowning eunuch, who had given it to him as a reward. Gao had never used it. Beyond legends, how did an ordinary Tang man
After crushing the rebels, Guo Ziyi had absolute power. He could have proclaimed himself emperor. Instead, he immediately returned his command to the emperor and went home. Later, when a jealous eunuch, Yu Chao’en, slandered him, Guo did not retaliate. He simply said, "If it is Heaven’s will that I die, I cannot avoid it. If not, what can slander do to me?"
Gao poured the porridge. "In the Analects of the Tang , there is no law against kindness. Eat." "Give me your horse, or I will take your life
He was expected to be a "Junzi" (gentleman). This meant practicing filial piety toward parents and absolute loyalty to the Emperor.
He handed the soldier the jade token. "Take this. Go to the eastern province. Start again."