The Nihility of the Great Empire - Fragments of Chinese Historical Peasant Uprisings and Dynastic Successions

Author: Jiang Sh
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: A heavy rain ignited the beacon fires that led to the downfall of the Qin Dynasty; a failed reform echoed the dirge of the late Western Han Dynasty; a jade seal found in a field witnessed the court struggles, and the Rebellion of the Seven States. In the two thousand years of China's imperial history, every prelude to a new dynasty was rooted in peasant uprisings. Those unpredictable accidents always sway the fate of the state. Thus, the bookish Wang Mang became emperor, the peasant Liu Xiu became emperor, and even the cowherd Liu Panzi became emperor. What unseen force determines the course of history? In the distant past, how many stories of lament and laughter have there been? China's two thousand years of imperial history is a history of wars, a history of heroes, and more importantly, a history of the fusion and permeation of various ethnic groups and the renewal of civilizations on this vast land. The majesty of the great empire cannot suppress the cry, "Are nobles and marshals born of noble blood?" The "Son of Heaven" is merely a common occurrence for those who possess strong armies and horses. The heroes who rose up with pitchforks and banners competed for the world; the gravediggers of successive dynasties rose and fell swiftly. What unseen force determines the course of history? In the distant past, how many stories of lament and laughter have there been? A heavy rain ignited the beacon fires that led to the downfall of the Qin Dynasty; a failed reform echoed the dirge of the late Western Han Dynasty; a jade seal found in a field witnessed the court struggles, and the Rebellion of the Seven States. In the two thousand years of China's imperial history, every prelude to a new dynasty was rooted in peasant uprisings. Those unpredictable accidents always sway the fate of the state. Thus, the bookish Wang Mang became emperor, the peasant Liu Xiu became emperor, and even the cowherd Liu Panzi became emperor. What unseen force determines the course of history? In the distant past, how many stories of lament and laughter have there been? China's two thousand years of imperial history is a history of wars, a history of heroes, and more importantly, a history of the fusion and permeation of various ethnic groups and the renewal of civilizations on this vast land. The majesty of the great empire cannot suppress the cry, "Are nobles and marshals born of noble blood?" The "Son of Heaven" is merely a common occurrence for those who possess strong armies and horses. The heroes who rose up with pitchforks and banners competed for the world; the gravediggers of successive dynasties rose and fell swiftly. What unseen force determines the course of history? In the distant past, how many stories of lament and laughter have there been?