Tang Dynasty Chronicle

Author: Cai Dongfan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Cai Dongfan's "Popular Histories of China" series covers from the Qin and Han dynasties to the Republic of China, with over 1,000 chapters and more than 5 million words, chronicling nearly 2,200 years of history. Based on reliable historical records, supplemented by folk tales, the series is meticulously researched, presents balanced perspectives, and is rich in content with well-structured narratives. The language is elegant and concise, accompanied by self-reviews and annotations, combining both rationality and literary charm. It is truly a classic in popular historical writing. Since its publication, the series has been widely acclaimed and loved. In the mid-1930s, Mao Zedong once sent a telegraph to Li Keqiang to purchase two copies of this book to help the cadres in Yan'an study Chinese history. It was often placed on the bedside of his bed, and the renowned historian Zai Degeng believed that while the book may have some shortcomings as a historical source, its content is sufficiently rich and its narrative systematic. The famous novelist Erhu River thought that while the book is only mediocre in literary terms, it serves as an entry point to understanding the nation's history and is unique in its kind.
When the Tang Dynasty was established, it conquered all rivals and unified the 293 prefectures across the land. The Dongyi, Nanman, Xirong, and Beidi peoples all paid annual tributes and came to court, as the heavens opened their gates and palaces, with people from all nations bowing before the imperial crown. This was indeed a historical fact of the Tang Dynasty, not mere of the Tang people. From then on, the name "Great Tang" spread overseas, and the Chinese have often taken pride in this, a tradition that continues to this day.
I once heard an old saying: "Han Confucianism, Jin, Tang turtle, Song snot, Qing untidy." What exactly does "Tang turtle" mean? During the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong, the Tang Dynasty was at its peak, yet the imperial court was already in disarray. Taizong had illicit relations with his younger brother's wife, and Empress Wu had numerous male concubines. Later, Empress Wei, favored by the emperor, influenced the court, while Emperor Zhongzong was swayed by jade ring gambling, Yang Guifei bathed her son, An Lushan fondled her breast, and the Green Hat became the family custom. The term "turtle" appeared frequently.
This historical narrative of the Tang Dynasty can be divided into three arguments: the first is the of female influence, the second is the of eunuchs, and the third is the of regional warlords, each leading to the dynasty's downfall. If one examines the root causes, it was indeed the sexual chaos in the imperial court that led to all these evils. Therefore, when evaluating the Tang Dynasty's history, the simplest three words are "Tang turtle"—a true epitome of the era.