Aisha Johnson

Ouyang Xiu celebrated the outcome of Emperors Taizu and Taizong's measures, praising their ability to neutralize local military power and achieve over a century of obedience to the centre, with not a single… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBXF4B7 #NorthernSongDynasty

Emperor Taizu, aware of the threat of military usurpation, established the Shumiyuan, a central Bureau of Military Affairs, to concentrate power in his hands. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBXF4B7 #NorthernSongDynasty

Zhao Kuangyin feared that if Li Chongjin and Li Yun rose at once, he would be attacked on two fronts. To avoid that nightmare, he held back from striking at Li Chongjin. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBXF4B7 #NorthernSongDynasty

Fan Zhi petitioned the throne, and when the decree was issued, Zhao Kuangyin and his ally Zhao Pu breathed a sigh of relief, believing their control of the army was now secure. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBXF4B7 #NorthernSongDynasty

Liu Yan revealed sharp political skill and an enormous appetite for power as he moved quickly and decisively to wipe out rival warlords and bandit bands across Lingnan. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Yang Xingmi rode into Yangzhou, the granaries already empty, hunger and anxiety tightening the city's nerves; unrest hung in the air as Bi's scattered forces fled, abandoning the city to his control. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Qian Liu rode into Yuezhou, stunned to find Dong Chang's vaults overflowing with gold and baubles, while the granaries held three million hu of grain. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Gao Jixing lingered in Luoyang, weighing his words carefully, before Emperor Li Cunxu confided in him his plan to destroy Wu and Shu. He steered Li Cunxu toward Shu, knowing the mountain roads were… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Chai Rong died, his eldest son Chai Zongxun, only seven, was placed on the throne before his father's coffin, becoming Emperor Gong of Later Zhou, with Empress Dowager ruling from behind the screen and… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Guo Wei lay gravely ill in his bed, his once rugged physique now weakened by illness, as he summoned his adopted son Chai Rong to hasten his tomb's preparation, mindful of the burden it would place on the… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Sang Weihan drafted a formal plea to Emperor Taizong of Liao, Yel Deguang, asking for military aid, with Shi Jingtang's terms including generous concessions and a subordinate relationship. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Miss Chai split the gold and silver ornaments she brought from the palace, gave half to her parents, and steadfastly married Guo Wei, a poor officer, in a small ceremony at their family home. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Li Siyuan led his guards out of Weixian, a small settlement in Handan, Hebei, before dawn to prepare for a return to his post, submitting to the emperor's judgment for his past actions. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Wang Jian set to work on Wei, persuading him to return to the capital, then pressed the siege alone, taking Chengdu and making the city theirs outright, his forces sealing Jianmen Pass tightly, leaving no… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Jins bolstered fighting power with the incorporation of Weibos elite Silver Spear Swift Force, a unit celebrated for its daring and battlefield skill, folded into Li Cunxu's personal guard. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Wang Jingren, the beleaguered commander, led a full-scale assault on the Jin cavalry outposts, forcing a chaotic clash that favored the Later Liang forces. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties

Li Keyong listened, and joy returned to his face. His son's counsel struck him as true. He ordered wine and music at once, and the camp's heavy air lightened as his spirits rose once more, lifted by the… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5M5F1J #SuiTangFiveDynasties