Juan

  • The cataclysm of Chang’an [Three Kingdoms]

    In the late Eastern Han dynasty, the ancient city of Chang’an suffered an unprecedented catastrophe. In 190 AD, under intense pressure from the coalition of eastern warlords led by Yuan Shao, the tyrant Dong Zhuo seized Emperor Xian and forcibly relocated the capital to Chang’an. He ordered the entire population within a 200-li radius…

  • Why the Eastern Han Dynasty chose a new capital? [Three Kingdoms]

    In Chapter 6 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Yuan Shao organizes an alliance of 18 warlords to jointly attack Dong Zhuo. The coalition’s forces vastly outnumbered Dong Zhuo’s garrison in Luoyang, and generals like Sun Jian posed a significant threat. Consequently, Dong Zhuo chose to burn down the current capital, Luoyang, and relocate…

  • Cao Cao’s Breakaway [Three Kingdoms]

    In a previous article, we discussed how Dong Zhuo, under immense pressure from the coalition forces, chose to abandon Luoyang and relocate the capital to Chang’an. This retreat presented the allied warlords with a golden opportunity to launch a decisive pursuit and crush Dong Zhuo’s weakened army.

  • The chase debate between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao [Three Kingdoms]

    In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, after the death of Emperor Ling, He Jin, Yuan Shao, and other high rank officials attempted to overthrow the eunuch group. However, the eunuchs preemptively struck, resulting in He Jin’s assassination. Seizing this opportunity, Dong Zhuo took control of Luoyang’s military forces and began monopolizing power.

  • Emperor Ling’s fatal decision and the fall of Eastern Han [Three Kingdoms]

    In the late Eastern Han period, political crises were set in motion by the controversial decision of Emperor Ling of Han (Liu Hong) to replace his elder son(the Crown prince) with the younger one. Emperor Ling had two sons: the elder son, Liu Bian (born to Empress He), and the younger son, Liu Xie…

  • Relocating the capital: The mandate of heaven or a desperate retreat? [Three Kingdoms]

    In the year 190 AD, Dong Zhuo deposed Emperor Shao and installed Emperor Xian, seizing absolute control of the imperial court. This act ignited outrage across the land. A coalition of eighteen warlords from the Guandong region(the region east of Hangu Pass), led by Yuan Shao as their nominal leader, formed a united army…

  • Why did Dong Zhuo move the capital? [Three Kingdoms]

    In Chapter 6 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dong Zhuo’s troops was defeated by Sun Jian. To reverse the battlefield setbacks, Dong Zhuo proposed a marriage alliance with Sun Jian. Dong Zhuo sent his senior general Li Jue to propose the marriage alliance, hoping to forge a political bond through kinship. Unexpectedly, Sun…

  • The unstoppable rise of Dong Zhuo [Three Kingdoms]

    In the late Eastern Han dynasty, imperial power had weakened dramatically. Eunuchs and imperial relatives held real authority, while regional warlords began to assert their independence. After the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion(Yellow Scarves Uprising), the entire social order was on the brink of collapse.

  • The top warrior among the Eighteen Warlords [Three Kingdoms]

    Romance of the Three Kingdoms often diverges from the history. For instance, in the episode where Guan Yu kills Hua Xiong while warming wine, historical records state that Guan Yu followed Liu Bei, who was then under Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan was busy fighting the Wuhuan in the north and did not participate in…