Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
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A Sudden Death and a Stolen Throne In 125 CE, Emperor An of Han fell gravely ill while on a pleasure tour. He died en route – “a fool to the end,” as later historians would say. His wife, Empress Yan, burst into tears, but her brother Yan Xian and eunuchs Jiang Jing and…
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The Last Mission Beyond the Western Regions After more than thirty years governing the Western Regions, Ban Chao – now in his late sixties – dreamed of reaching Da Qin, the fabled Roman Empire. In a final diplomatic thrust, he dispatched his trusted subordinate Gan Ying as envoy, bearing gifts and goodwill.