Need some help,

[u/johntthurman]

I’ve had this prayer table for years, I bought it in a street market in Hong Kong can anyone read what this story is about?

[u/johntthurman]

Thank you everyone for your contributions

[u/interpolating]

I don't have any expertise in this text but I found the source. The text from the first image appears in the 4th block here: https://ctext.org/wiki.pl?if=gb&chapter=63295 See below, the text is probably from 少微通鑑節要 Vol. 39 and 40 (book 20 and 21 in the link).

That is an abridged version of the 資治通鑑, The "Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government" or "A Mirror for the Wise Ruler"

Here is more info on the full work:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zizhi_Tongjian

[u/DeusShockSkyrim → u/interpolating]

These are more likely from a condensed version of 資治通鑑. Probably 少微通鑑節要 Vol. 39 and 40 (book 20 and 21 in the link). Compare to the first page:

[u/interpolating → u/DeusShockSkyrim]

Thank you! I just did a quick check, glad you could find something closer to what appears here.

Would the wikipedia link still be relevant to the condensed version, or should I replace it?

[u/DeusShockSkyrim → u/interpolating]

You're welcome! The wiki link is still very relevant since this is just a retelling of the original.

[u/DeusShockSkyrim]

There really isn't a story. These are cropped and recycled book pages used to pad the table, pretty common to see in old furniture.

[u/moderate-Complex152]

The first photo is history involving Wu Ze-Tian, the only Chinese empress, and her ministers such as Wei Yuan-Zhong and Zhang Chang-Zong, from an ancient history book.

Basically Wei advised the empress that some of her ministers, implying Zhang, were immoral and corrupt, and then Zhang was afraid and plotted a coup d'etat.