Hincmar of Reims vs Liu Ji

Hincmar was appointed Archbishop of Reims by King Charles the Bald. He became one of the most powerful churchmen in the Carolingian Empire, influencing both church and state.

Hincmar was excommunicated by Pope Nicholas I for his role in the divorce of King Lothair II. He later reconciled with the papacy, but the conflict highlighted tensions between church and state.

Hincmar crowned Charles the Bald as king of Lotharingia at Metz, asserting the archbishop's role in legitimizing royal authority. This reinforced the alliance between the church and the Carolingian dynasty.

Hincmar wrote 'De Ordine Palatii' (On the Governance of the Palace), a treatise on the administration of the Carolingian court. It provides a detailed account of royal and ecclesiastical governance.

Liu Ji, known as Liu Bowen, joined Zhu Yuanzhang's rebel forces and advised him on military strategy. He proposed a plan to first secure the south and then march north to capture the Yuan capital Dadu.

Liu Ji served as a key strategist in the naval battle of Lake Poyang against the rival rebel leader Chen Youliang. His tactics, including the use of fire ships, helped Zhu Yuanzhang achieve a decisive victory.

Liu Ji contributed to the planning and construction of Nanjing as the Ming capital. He advised on the city's layout, fortifications, and feng shui principles, which influenced the design of the imperial city.

Liu Ji retired from court and wrote the 'Jade Box' (Yujue), a collection of military and political strategies. This work became a classic of Chinese strategic thought, often compared to Sun Tzu's Art of War.