April Zhang

Why do brilliant board-level presenters fail? In my latest article, Hanfeizi’s Executive Framework: Words, Silence, and Accountability (mslmaster.com/index.php/teac…), I look at modern C-suite stumbles, from Starbucks to Boeing, through the lens of 2,000-year-old Chinese philosophy.

Introducing my latest e-course, written for leaders, executives, and board members, draws on Hanfeizi (China's greatest Legalist philosopher) to offer the cold-blooded, pragmatic realism today's leaders need as yesterday's playbooks fail. Read here: mslmaster.com/index.php/msl-…

The modern tech sector is facing an unprecedented disruption as artificial intelligence automates software roles overnight. Highly skilled engineers, who spent years training the very algorithms now replacing them, find themselves navigating sudden career displacement. To make sense of this profound shift, I turned to the I Ching (the Book of Changes) and got the Hexagram 56 (旅) and its shift to Hexagram 62 (小过). Let’s explore how this hexagram explains today's tech crisis, and where the path forward lies. Welcome to my newsletter on Substack, Exploring I Ching. Read the whole article here: exploringiching.substack.com…

I really wanted to have a successful Chinese Writing Contest this year. Unfortunately, I have to announce the cancellation of the 2026 Chinese Writing Contest. Despite our extensive promotional efforts over the past several months, we received only four submissions by the September 16 deadline. mslmaster.com/index.php/msl-…

Sep 12 is the day to commentate Qian Xuantong. In the 1920s, amid political turmoil and high illiteracy, radical scholar Qian Xuantong proposed a shocking remedy: abolish traditional Chinese characters entirely in favor of a Romanized phonetic script. Believing the ancient writing system preserved regressive ideals, he spearheaded early character simplification to bridge the gap toward a fully Westernized language. This (mslmaster.com/index.php/msl-…) is what I wrote to reflect on Qian as a "failed hero" on his birth anniversary. While his relentless efforts laid the groundwork for modern simplified Chinese and Pinyin, his ultimate vision of dismantling the script collapsed. Ultimately, history shows that illiteracy stemmed from economic hardship, not character complexity. Qian’s failure preserved China’s rich cultural identity, allowing generations to maintain a direct connection to ancient wisdom through their enduring written heritage.

Why do you learn Chinese? For years, language enrollment surged on promises of career advancement and economic opportunities. But when market trends shift or global politics cool, those superficial motives vanish. Real learning requires a deeper, more enduring anchor. The Chinese Writing Contest (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) offers a meaningful alternative rooted in the intrinsic beauty of reading and writing Chinese characters. Reading and writing are both the means and the ultimate reward of learning itself. This contest isn't about padding a resume or chasing short-term financial incentives; it’s about honoring your personal journey and creating art for its own sake.

Can you build a whole world using just 320 basic Chinese characters? It might sound limiting, but simple tools often yield the most profound art. Past contest entrants used that exact character set to construct moving tales of family, love, mystery, and friendship. Some wrote simple, lyrical prose, while others crafted complex, literary narratives—proving that you don't need rare, obscure vocabulary to touch a reader's heart. A restricted character list isn't a boundary; it is a playground for your imagination. What castle will you build from these basic building blocks? Test your creative limits, turn simple characters into a captivating story, and enter the contest ((mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) today!

As deadline day (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) approaches, every writer faces the exact same reality: sooner or later, writing simply requires you to sit down and struggle. In a world saturated with instant gratification and endless social media feeds, sitting quietly with a blank page takes courage. But that quiet struggle isn't a barrier—it is where your best creative ideas are born. Writing asks you to slow down, disconnect from digital noise, and search deep within yourself for that special spark. Don't let a blank page intimidate you or keep you silent. Grab your pen, embrace the quiet struggle of creation, and submit your story before the deadline!

Think you aren't experienced or young enough to enter a writing competition? Think again! Past contest winners published in our book series ranged from a 13-year-old student to a 70-year-old lifelong learner, representing over eight countries. Some were advanced writers, while others were complete beginners boldly experimenting with new character combinations. There is no single "correct" formula for a winning piece. The Chinese Writing Contest (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) celebrates original thinking, playful experimentation, and courage over flawless perfection. Whether your style is simple, dramatic, humorous, or poetic, your unique voice belongs on our international stage. Face the blank page, and play with your 320 characters.

In an age where artificial intelligence can automate routine tasks and write generic essays, human self-expression matters more than ever. AI might process data rapidly, but it cannot replicate your personal voice, unique reflections, or lived experiences as a Mandarin learner. The Chinese Writing Contest (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) invites you to step beyond mechanical exercises and tap into authentic human creativity. Writing an original story using only 320 Chinese characters isn't about training for a job—it’s an exercise in personal determination, deep focus, and artistic identity. Show the world what genuine human thought can produce when given complete creative freedom.

Friedrich Nietzsche once criticized educational systems built strictly for "livelihood"—where learning is reduced to exam scores, top university admissions, and future salaries. But what happens to your studies when you strip away career pressure? The Chinese Writing Contest (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) offers one of the answers for "true education." It gives Chinese language learners a dedicated space to write for pure joy, self-expression, and intellectual freedom. You don't need to write to impress an employer or pass a test—write to explore your mind, nourish your soul, and stretch your creative boundaries. Step off the utilitarian treadmill, and embrace true education.

Ever dreamt of seeing your name printed in an international book? When previous participants entered the Chinese Writing Contest (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…), they were simply language learners testing their creativity within a 320-character limit. Today, their winning stories, poems, and plays are published in the Easy-to-Read Chinese Short Stories book series (mslmaster.com/index.php/chin…), complete with official ISBNs and distributed worldwide. These authors proved that a limited vocabulary is no barrier to creating real literature. Your writing journey shouldn't end with textbook exercises. Take your Chinese off the page and share it with a global audience. Submit your original 320-character piece to this year’s Chinese Writing Contest, claim your spot in our next collection.

When was the last time you gave something your undivided attention? Today, our minds are constantly tethered to tiny screens, drowned in easily consumable entertainment. In an era built on instant gratification, dedicating hours to reading and writing Chinese characters is resistance. The Chinese Writing Contest (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) is your invitation to disconnect from the noise and practice deep focus. Writing a story asks you to slow down, reflect, and engage meaningfully with text. Give yourself the gift of creation before the September 16 submission deadline.

The AI boom has sparked an unprecedented capital rush, but negative enterprise cash flows leave investors torn between missing out on huge returns and getting trapped in a bubble. Seeking perspective beyond market noise, turning to the ancient wisdom of the I Ching reveals Hexagram 6, Sòng (Dispute). Its structure, outward force with inward danger, perfectly mirrors today’s market, where massive investments mask fragile conviction. This is what I wrote for my newsletter on Substack, Exploring I Ching. Read the whole article here: exploringiching.substack.com…

Why did you start learning Chinese? For years, language learning was driven by transactional motives like resume building or career prospects. But when economic or political trends shift, those superficial incentives disappear. We need a deeper, more meaningful reason to learn. The Chinese Writing Contest (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) offers an alternative path—one rooted in the intrinsic joy of reading and writing Chinese characters. Reading and writing are both the means and the end of true education. This contest isn't about padding a job application; it’s about honoring your personal journey, stretching your mind, and creating art for its own sake. Reconnect with why you fell in love with Mandarin. Finish your story and submit before September 16.

As August comes to an end, how is your story coming along? With the September 16 deadline for the Chinese Writing Contest (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) fast approaching, here is a reminder for every aspiring writer: sooner or later, writing simply requires you to sit there and struggle. In a world filled with constant digital distractions, sitting with a blank page takes true courage. But that struggle isn't a barrier—it’s where the magic happens. Embracing the challenge allows you to step away from social media feeds, reach deep into your soul, and discover your unique creative spark. Don't let a blank page intimidate you. Grab your pen, embrace the quiet struggle.

One of the best things about Easy-to-Read Chinese Short Stories, Book 2 (mslmaster.com/index.php/chin… ) is its unique blend of styles and skill levels. Among the 14 published authors, some were seasoned language writers, while others were complete beginners boldly feeling their way through new, inventive character combinations. There is no single "correct" way to write a winning piece. The contest (mslmaster.com/index.php?view…) isn't looking for flawless perfection; it celebrates original thinking, playful experimentation, and the joy of creating something new in Mandarin. Whether your style is straightforward or poetic, your unique voice belongs in our next international book.