In Xiang Yu's biography in Records of the Grand Historian, it is said that during the Hongmen Banquet, Liu Bang, known as Emperor Gaozu and founder of the Han Dynasty, actually pushed his own children out of his carriage 3 times to lighten it in order to escape Xiang Yu's men. But this event was omitted in Liu Bang's own biography. So there are people who say this story is fictional while others say it is true.
What is the consensus by historians' who studied Chinese History? Is this story an embellishment? Or did Liu Bang actually do this?
So the Hongwu Emperor released edicts praising previous state founders and unifiers of China from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors onwards. Cool. So why isn't Ying Zheng, Sima Yan and Li Yuan honoured? The first one was the most important ruler in antiquity China - literally the FIRST EMPEROR, the second one founded his dynasty and reunified China during his lifetime, the third founded one of China's greatest dynasties.
I've only heard of what Empress LΓΌ Zhi did to Qi but not why. Was the excessive violence really necessary? Are there any records in Chinese history that explain why? Was it simply out of jealousy? Was it to send a message to anyone who might favor Consort Qi and her son?
Found this out playing as Haesteinn. Converting the British Isles to taoism under a han ruler was pretty funny. The han culture also has a very good archer unit
I remember some say she was a tragic character due to her husband pretty much abandon her because she could produce an heir to the throne, but some say she was a scheming villain in most film
So tell me I'm curious what perspective you have on her
Gotta be honest I'm one of those who sees her a tragic character but still you can tell me what you think of her
Sorry for the typo on the title
Edit: Apologies, I misspelled Pekingese in the title!
I was thinking about how nowadays it's perceived that some people overly pamper their dogs with fancy diets, and it got me wondering what ancient rulers fed their dogs. What other rulers may have been so enamored with their dogs and what did they feed them? I would love to read about more accounts of ancient dogs and their caretaking.
Patricians and Plebeians,
I apologise for being so late in my update. All roads may lead to Rome, but the one from Han is long and treacherous. I hope most of the messengers I gave a copy of this report survived the journey.
Stakhanov and I arrived in Chang'an a few weeks ago. While the imperial bureaucrats were not overly fond of me leading an entire merchant fleet up the river, they allowed me to dock at the capital, provided I took no more than fifty soldiers as a personal guard. Luckily, they do not know that my beloved Alexey has the strength of a hundred men.
As much as I hate to admit it, the beauty of this city rivals that of Rome itself. Chang'an is easily as large and populated as any city I have ever seen in the Republic, maybe more so. We spent a few days taking in the sights, making trade deals with the richest merchants, and, of course, partaking in the local cusine. While they do eat the same "rice" that we encountered in the island chains, they have very different methods of preparation and consumption.
I could go on all day about our experiences with the city folk, but this is a diplomatic mission, so I'll stick with the important things. It was extremely frustrating to navigate the webs of bureaucracy, especially since we do not speak the language of these foreigners. Luckily we encountered a Han merchant who is able to speak Parthian, so we have been using him to communicate. There is no Senate or elected body that I can speak with, all administrators are appointed by other administrators, and the entire system revolves around the Emperor, who as far as I can tell, does little in the way of ruling.
Eventually, we were able to impress one of the higher ranking secretaries when Stakhanov carried eighteen men on his shoulders. We were allowed to attend a party as... entertainers. Actors and performers are the lowest of the low in Roman society, little better than brothel workers, and it shamed me to denigrate myself in such a way. But, there is little I would not do to improve Rome's standing in the wider world.
The Emperor seemed impressive at first glance, with his opulent clothes and magnificent airs, but on closer observation, he looks no more physically powerful than any other man in this nation. Strange, the locals seem to think of him as some kind of god.
After our... performance... the Emperor was so impressed that he allowed me to directly speak to him. I was ordered by his officials to make some sort of queer bow, pressing
... keep reading on reddit β‘