Ge Hong: An Ancient Alchemist

Qin Shi Huang (or Shi Huangdi) was the First Emperor of a unified China, who ruled from 246 BCE to 210 BCE. In his 35-year reign, he managed to create magnificent and enormous construction projects. He also caused both incredible cultural and intellectual growth, and much destruction within China.

Confucius, (551-479 B.C.E.) the Chinese social philosopher was best known for creating one of the

He watched the De Laceys and learned how to talk, read, and how to love. He read about the creation of Adam and compared himself to the story of the fallen angel. This education may not be the deepest or most rational but it does connect deep into the minds of the reader.

Sub point 1 At a young age he showed remarkable intelligence when it came to languages and mathematics.

Ban Zhao is another significant individual who help shape modern concepts. She was born in the first century, AD, during the Later Han Dynasty (Gregory p. 123).

Some may refer to The Alchemist as a best-selling novel written by Paulo Coelho which explains the ideas of having a dream, or Personal Legend, and going through obstacles to conquer it. The book starts off like any other, introducing and describing the main characters, in this case Santiago is the first to share the interest of peers reading the story. He is said to be a small town shepherd boy who will do anything for his flock of sheep. In the opening scene of the story, Santiago takes his flock to an abandoned church and lies down under a sycamore tree hoping to get some rest. He is soon woken up from a disturbing dream which foreshadows further into the story of his own Personal Legend. Later in the book, Santiago is faced with multiple tests to be successful in finding his treasure. “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure” (Coelho 15). Paulo continues to add characters in the book that help Santiago throughout his journey.

people had a good education in what they wanted. As a child, he loved reading and

Mark C Elliott’s book Emperor Qianlong Son of Heaven, Man of the World is a short biography about Hongli. Hongli was the fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor and the favorite of his father and grandfather and was born in 1711. In the beginning it describes how he rose up in rank as a son through his father who introduced him to the current emperor Kangxi, his grandfather. The first chapter gives us the story of what Hongli was like as a child and how he won the favor of the Emperor. The book follows Hongli all the time from his birth from a low ranking palace consort right up to the end of his life even after he technically gave up his title as

in history and poetry. At the age of fourteen, he was sent away to school, and

After him came Qin Shi Huangdi who contributed great achievements in the history of China

Although educated to be a scientist at the wishes of his father, he soon developed a great interest in literature, becoming first devoted to Anglo-Saxon and then writing poetry. At Oxford he studied English literature and philosophy. Following a short period of time in

K 'ung Fu Tzu or, Confucius, was born in 551 BC in the state of Lu in China. He traveled throughout China giving advice to its rulers and teaching. His teachings and writings dealt with morality and ethics. His teachings also

Qin Shi Huang was the son of the king of the Qin State. When he turned thirteen he surpassed his father's regality. There were seven major kingdoms formed that was to become modern

Fatima: A beautiful girl, whom Santiago is in love with, who lives at Al-Fayoum Oasis.

As a poet, he began writing at a young age though his initial poems that were published. while he was still in college, were in Greek and Latin. It is ironical that much of his sarcastic political satires were not published during his lifetime, and he became recognized as a major poet only after his death. The life of this enigmatic poet has always fascinated historians due to the scarcity of information about his personal life.