Chang’an

  • The Wine-Pouring in Servant’s Robes: The Humiliation and Death of an Emperor [Jin & Southern-Northern Dynasties]

    This article tells the tragic fate of Emperor Huai of Western Jin. Powerless under warlord Sima Yue, he saw loyal ministers killed and Luoyang fall to Liu Cong’s Han forces. Captured, he was humiliated by serving wine at banquets before being poisoned. His death marked a dark chapter of Jin’s collapse.

  • The Seizure of Two Capitals: Chang’an and Luoyang [Eastern Han]

    This article recounts the fall of the Gengshi regime and the rise of Emperor Guangwu. The Red Eyebrows rebels seized Chang’an and installed a puppet emperor. Meanwhile, Guangwu captured Luoyang and established the Eastern Han. His generals Deng Yu and Feng Yi defeated the rebels, unifying the two capitals and laying the foundation for…

  • The Fall of the Golden Throne [Eastern Han]

    This article depicts the fall of Wang Mang’s Xin Dynasty. Rebels stormed Chang’an, set fire to Weiyang Palace, and killed Wang Mang at Gradual Terrace. Amid chaos, Liu Xuan became a puppet emperor, while Liu Xiu, aided by loyal Feng Yi, quietly built his strength to restore the Han Dynasty.

  • From Court Chaos to the Lü Clan Purge in Early Han [Western Han]

    This article traces early Han from court chaos to the Lü Clan purge. Emperor Gaozu established rituals to restore order, but after his death, Empress Lü seized power and promoted her clan. Following her death, loyalists overthrew the Lü family and installed Emperor Wen, reviving the Liu dynasty and ushering in stability.

  • From Conquest to Crown: The Calculated Rise of Emperor Gaozu [Western Han]

    This article follows Liu Bang’s rise from conqueror to Emperor Gaozu, founder of the Western Han. After defeating Xiang Yu, he secured power by curbing Han Xin, moved the capital to Chang’an for safety, and stabilized the realm. Though he unified China, fresh threats from feudal lords and the Xiongnu lay ahead.

  • An Lushan Rebellion

    The rebellion,An Lushan-Shi Siming Rebellion, launched by An Lushan and Shi Siming during the Tang dynasty, also known as the Tianbao Rebellion. 

  • Farewell at the Baling Pavilion [Tang Poems]

    — Li Bai We part at the Pavilion Old; The river flows its water cold. Above we see trees not in bloom. Below the vernal grass in gloom. I ask a wanderer if we go astray; He says an ancient poet took this way. The way extends to the west capital, Where floating clouds…

  • To the Parrot [Tang Poems]

    — Luo Yin Do not complain of golden cage and wings cut short; The southern land is far warmer than the northwest. Don’t clearly speak if you listen to my exhort; You will offend if clearly your complaint’s expressed.

  • The fall and aftermath of a tyrant [Three Kingdoms]

    This article details the violent downfall of the tyrant Dong Zhuo and the subsequent chaos that consumed the Han court. It recounts how Minister Wang Yun masterminded a conspiracy, manipulating the volatile relationship between Dong Zhuo and his foster son, the mighty warrior Lü Bu. The narrative culminates in the assassination within Weiyang Palace,…