The Five Dynasties and the Decline of the Tang

Based on historical biographies and interspersed with fictional elements, this novel is written in chronological form. It portrays the turbulent rise and fall of dynasties from the Huang Chao Rebellion at the end of the Tang dynasty to Zhao Kuangyin's Chenqiao Mutiny, which led to the founding of the Song dynasty. It depicts the major political and military conflicts of the late Tang and Five Dynasties periods. As chaos engulfs the realm at the end of the Tang, the Liang, Tang, Jin, Han, and Zhou dynasties rise in succession, giving rise to legendary tales: Gao Laoyao (Gao Xingzhou) triumphs over Guo Que'er (Guo Wei), Wang Yanzhang meets his end at Juezhang Ridge, and Zhao Kuangyin attacks Han Tong three times, until Zhao Kuangyin ascends the throne and establishes the Song dynasty.