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Brief: This article narrates the Huang Chao Rebellion, which shook the late Tang Dynasty. Starting from the decline of Tang after Emperor Xuanzong, it tells how salt smugglers Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao rose up against heavy taxes and tyranny. Huang Chao captured Chang’an, founded the Great Qi, but later lost support and was…
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Huang Chao (?–884 CE) was the leader of a major peasant rebellion at the end of the Tang dynasty. He was a native of Yuanju, Caozhou (in present-day northwestern Cao County, Shandong) and originally worked as a smuggler of salt – a highly profitable but illegal trade under Tang monopoly laws.
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Wang Xizhi (303–361) was a calligrapher of the Eastern Jin dynasty. His courtesy name was Yishao, and he was from Langya Linyi (in present-day Shandong Province). Born into an aristocratic family, he rose to the rank of General of the Right Army, earning him the popular title “Wang Youjun” (Wang of the Right Army).