Liu Jian vs Rashid al-Din Hamadani

Liu Jian was appointed as a Grand Secretary under the Chenghua Emperor. He served under three emperors (Chenghua, Hongzhi, and Zhengde), becoming a key figure in the Grand Secretariat.

Liu Jian, as Chief Grand Secretary under the Zhengde Emperor, opposed the rising influence of eunuch Liu Jin. He submitted memorials calling for Liu Jin's removal, but the emperor sided with the eunuch, leading to Liu Jian's forced retirement.

After failing to remove Liu Jin, Liu Jian was forced to retire. Liu Jin then purged his supporters, consolidating eunuch control over the court. Liu Jian's retirement marked the end of the 'Hongzhi Restoration' era.

Rashid al-Din converted from Judaism to Islam around the age of 50, likely to advance his career under the Muslim convert Ghazan Khan. His conversion allowed him to serve as vizier and demonstrated the fluid religious boundaries in the Mongol Ilkhanate.

Rashid al-Din was appointed vizier to the Ilkhanid ruler Ghazan Khan. He became the chief administrator of the Ilkhanate, overseeing financial reforms, agricultural development, and the implementation of Ghazan's conversion to Islam, which reshaped Mongol rule in Persia.

Rashid al-Din founded the Rab'-i Rashidi, a charitable and scholarly complex in Tabriz. It included a mosque, hospital, library, and academy, where scholars from various cultures worked. The complex served as a center for the production of his historical works and manuscripts.

Rashid al-Din wrote 'Jami' al-tawarikh', a world history commissioned by Ghazan Khan. It covered the history of the Mongols, China, India, Europe, and the Islamic world, making it one of the first universal histories. The work was illustrated with Persian miniatures, influencing Islamic art.

Rashid al-Din was executed on charges of poisoning Sultan