Seizing the Palace: Palace Gate Coups in Chinese History

The imperial throne sits at the top of the pyramid of power, where the currents of political struggle and the forces of every faction converge. In ancient Chinese politics, the succession to the throne was an event of utmost gravity, for it involved the transfer of supreme political power and affected the stability of the entire state. At the very moment the throne changed hands, all the political maneuvering, court deals, and long-accumulated darkness tore through their hypocritical facade in an instant...