Ping Tang Dynasty: The Long Ballad of Zhenguan, Rescuing and Decline After the End of the Human

Author: Zhao Yi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: It can be said that A Journey Through the Tang Dynasty achieves a dual victory in both history and literature. The success of this book is not due to any overly emotional manipulation by the author, but rather stems from his restraint, pure literary taste, and outstanding ability to craft narrative structures. Such a work is not only the best combination of history and literature but, in a sense, also transcends both. This book echoes the upcoming blockbuster TV dramas A Dream of Splendor and The Reign of Zhenguan, marking the end of your choices for reading about the Tang Dynasty! The full glory of ancient China was during the Tang Dynasty, from the early 7th century to the late 8th century, a period of over a hundred years. Its brilliance once shone like the midday sun, illuminating the entire world. Unfortunately, this brilliant sun did not shine for long, and it gradually dimmed within a hundred years in the 9th century. Drawing on historical research findings, abandoning academic conventions, and employing a vivid literary narrative style, the books the true story of history.
After the An Lushan Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty gradually declined, with the empire's foundations shaken by increasingly severe separatist warlords, corrupt officials, and eunuchs. Salvation and decline became the themes of the 9th century. This book, with its grand scale and vivid historical facts, recreates the 158-year decline of the Tang Dynasty from the reigns of Emperor Daizong, Dezong, Shunzong, Xuanzong, Muzong, Jingzong, Wuzong, Xuanzong, Yizong, Xizong, Zhaozong, and Zhao Chongxun. It brings the imperial capital of Chang'an, shrouded in the autumn wind and setting sun, into sharp relief against the backdrop of historical darkness. The apathy, ambition, and helplessness of the emperors; the diligence, intrigue, and factionalism of the court officials; the manipulation of power, betrayal of servitude, and indiscriminate slaughter of loyal officials by the eunuchs; and the dominance of regional warlords, division of territory, and defiance of central authority—all are vividly portrayed, evoking a sense of solemn melancholy akin to the line "The autumn wind blows across the Wei River, with fallen leaves descending upon Chang'an."