warlordism

  • The cataclysm of Chang’an [Three Kingdoms]

    In the late Eastern Han dynasty, the ancient city of Chang’an suffered an unprecedented catastrophe. In 190 AD, under intense pressure from the coalition of eastern warlords led by Yuan Shao, the tyrant Dong Zhuo seized Emperor Xian and forcibly relocated the capital to Chang’an. He ordered the entire population within a 200-li radius…

  • The myth vs. reality of the forged imperial edict [Three Kingdoms]

    Dong Zhuo’s arrogance, arbitrariness and cruelty ignited widespread fury across the empire. First, he deposed Emperor Shao of Han (Liu Bian), then had him murdered—along with his mother, Empress He and his wife. During the enthronement of the new emperor, Liu Xie, he executed any minister who dared to oppose him.

  • Yellow Scarves Uprising[Three Kingdoms]

    The Yellow Scarves Uprising (184–185 AD) serves as the logical starting point and historical backdrop for the narrative of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The specific event that shattered the “ordered world” of the late Eastern Han Dynasty and plunged it into “chaos” was the Yellow Turban Rebellion.