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The Fractured North: Birth of Eastern and Western Wei Gao Huan’s fears proved prophetic. Just two years after installing Emperor Xiaojing in Yecheng (534 CE), his puppet emperor, Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei, grew restless. Seeking real power, he secretly conspired to eliminate Gao – and even tried to recruit Gao Qian, one of…
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From Palace to Pagoda: The Rise of Emperor Wu of Liang After the death of Emperor Wu of Southern Qi, succession turmoil erupted. Though many hoped his cultured second son, Xiao Ziliang – patron of the famed West Lodge – would ascend, the throne went to his grandson Xiao Zhaoye, with Xiao Ziliang and…