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The Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Fall of the Han [Eastern Han]
This article tells how the Yellow Turban Rebellion toppled the Eastern Han. Triggered by court corruption, famine, and sold official posts, Zhang Jiao’s Taiping Dao uprising swept China in 184 CE. Though crushed, it destroyed central authority, spawned warlords, and paved the way for the Three Kingdoms era.
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Cai Lun
Cai Lun (c. 62–121 CE) was a eunuch official of the Eastern Han dynasty and is traditionally credited with the invention of papermaking. His courtesy name was Jingzhong, and he was born in Guiyang (modern-day Leiyang, Hunan).
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The Partisan Prohibitions: the Fall of the Han Scholar-Gentry [Eastern Han]
This article explores Eastern Han’s Partisan Prohibitions. Eunuchs branded scholar‑gentry like Li Ying and Chen Fan as “partisans,” triggering two brutal purges. Many were killed, exiled, or banned for life. The crackdown destroyed honest officials, fatally weakening the Han and paving the way for its collapse.
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The Five Eunuch Marquises: How Palace Slaves Became Masters of the Han Empire [Eastern Han]
This article reveals how Emperor Huan of Eastern Han ennobled five powerful eunuchs as marquises, letting them dominate the court. Their corruption, tyranny, and abuse of power outraged scholars and students. Their ruthless rule weakened the Han Empire, laying the ground for its eventual collapse.
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How a teenage emperor and five eunuchs toppled the “Bullying General”? [Eastern Han]
This article tells how Emperor Huan and five eunuchs overthrew tyrant Liang Ji, the “Bullying General.” Liang Ji poisoned Emperor Zhi, murdered loyal officials, and seized absolute power. Threatened by Liang’s plot against his favorite consort, the emperor allied with eunuchs to stage a coup and end the tyranny.
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“Wolves Block the Road”: Corruption, Rebellion, and the Fall of Integrity [Eastern Han]
This article chronicles Eastern Han’s decline. After a eunuch coup restored Emperor Shun, eunuch clans and the Liang tyrants seized power. Zhang Gang denounced top officials as “wolves blocking the road,” yet his integrity went unrewarded. Endless tyranny and corruption fueled rebellion, dooming the dynasty.