Friends, this is history built on the official records and fleshed out with unofficial tales: never dry or made-up, it’ll help you get to grips with three hundred years of the Tang dynasty, and the more you read, the more hooked you’ll be!
In the chaotic final years of the Sui dynasty, Li Yuan plays the obedient official in Taiyuan while secretly building up his forces. His son Li Shimin is even more ruthless, seizing the throne in the Xuanwu Gate Incident and taking control of the empire.
During the golden age of Zhenguan, Xuanzang travels west in search of Buddhist scriptures, while Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang co-author the Tui Bei Tu, a book of prophecies that still baffles people today.
The most astonishing figure is Wu Zetian, who rises from a low-ranking consort to become the only empress in Chinese history. She excels at palace intrigue, and debate over her merits and misdeeds continues to this day.
At the height of the Kaiyuan era, Li Bai writes with wild abandon, the consort is breathtakingly beautiful, and envoys from every land flock to Chang’an. Then the An Lushan Rebellion erupts during the Tianbao era, the consort dies at Mawei, and the golden age comes to an end.
Three hundred years of the Tang dynasty, from imperial power plays and palace secrets to legendary figures, all brought together without detours or needless chatter. It’s entertaining and easy to follow!
