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The Snowy Night Assault on Caizhou
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The Resolve to Reunify Emperor Xianzong of Tang, supported by capable chancellors like Du Huangchang, Li Jifu, Wu Yuanheng, and Pei Du, initiated a series of reforms to strengthen the empire. They compiled essential records such as theYuanhe National Account Book and theYuanhe Gazetteer, clarifying the nation’s economic and geographic status. However, they recognized…
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The Silent Emperor and the Fleeting Reform
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The Martyrdom of Yan Zhenqing At the onset of Li Xilie’s rebellion, Prime Minister Lu Qi, harboring a deep personal grudge against the venerable Yan Zhenqing, maliciously recommended the seventy-year-old statesman as an envoy to persuade the rebel to surrender. Yan Zhenqing, a hero of the An-Shi Rebellion and a model of integrity whose…
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Liu Yuxi
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Liu Yuxi (772–842 CE) was a prominent literatus and poet of the Tang dynasty. His courtesy name was Mengde, and he was a native of Luoyang (in present-day Henan Province).
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Liu Zongyuan
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Liu Zongyuan (773–819 CE) was a distinguished literary figure, philosopher, and political reformer of the Tang dynasty. His courtesy name was Zihou, and he was a native of Jiezhou, Hedong (modern-day Yuncheng, Shanxi), for which he was commonly known as “Liu of Hedong” (Liu Hedong).
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The Edict of Self-Reflection: Emperor Dezong’s Crisis and Redemption
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The Fall of a Reformer and the Spark of Rebellion Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Dezong of Tang initially displayed great vigor but lacked political acumen, often relying on biased advice. He appointed Yang Yan as Prime Minister, who harbored a deep grudge against the capable financial reformer Liu Yan for past disciplinary actions.…