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Brief: This article recounts Emperor Dezong’s turbulent reign. His attempt to crush warlords triggered widespread rebellions and the Jingyuan Mutiny, forcing him to flee Chang’an. On Lu Zhi’s advice, he issued a sincere Edict of Self‑Reflection, which pacified most rebels. Though order was restored, the crisis weakened the Tang and shaped Dezong’s later rule.
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Brief: This article introduces Liu Yan’s key financial reforms in the mid‑Tang Dynasty after the An‑Shi Rebellion. He improved disaster relief, reformed the salt monopoly to boost state revenue without overburdening the people, and restored the Grand Canal transport system to secure grain supplies for Chang’an. His pragmatic measures stabilized the crisis‑stricken empire and…
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Brief: 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.
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Brief: This article records the legendary Battle of Kunyang. Liu Xiu led 9,000 defenders against Wang Mang’s 420,000‑strong army. A sudden storm turned the tide; the Xin army was destroyed. Though Liu Xiu won glory, his brother was executed by the Gengshi Emperor. He hid his grief and bided his time to restore the…
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Brief: This article traces the rise of the Liu brothers – Liu Yan and Liu Xiu – who rebelled against Wang Mang’s Xin Dynasty. They allied with Lulin peasant armies, won key battles, and helped enthrone Liu Xuan as the Gengshi Emperor. Though sidelined, the brothers laid the groundwork for the Eastern Han restoration.
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The Battle of Baima (200 CE) stands as a critical early clash in the epic confrontation between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, two dominant warlords vying for supremacy in a fractured Han China.
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In the winter of 199 AD, Yuan Shao stood at the zenith of his power. Having annihilated Gongsun Zan at Yi County and crushed the Heishan bandits who came to his aid, Yuan Shao now controlled four northern provinces: Jizhou, Qingzhou, Bingzhou, and Youzhou. With this vast territory and immense manpower, he was poised…
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In early 194 AD, Cao Cao launched his second punitive expedition against Xuzhou, targeting Tao Qian, whom he blamed for the murder of his father, Cao Song. His forces advanced deep into Xuzhou, capturing cities and inflicting heavy casualties.
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In 188 AD, Liu Yan, a member of the Han imperial clan and former Governor of Nanyang, was appointed Inspector of Yizhou (modern Sichuan and Chongqing). Upon his arrival, he implemented a policy of leniency and benevolence, offering refuge and stability to a population ravaged by war elsewhere.