Han Lanterns in Troubled Times

The Dayong Dynasty (a fictional dynasty) lasted for three hundred years and was in turmoil by the end of Emperor Jing's reign. For a long time, the dynasty emphasized culture and suppressed military power. The gentry monopolized power, land annexation was serious, and refugees were everywhere. The "Eight Tribes of Hanbei" in the north took the opportunity to invade south. Zhao Jing, the guard of Yanmen Pass, died in battle and martyred his country. The prime ministers in the DPRK and their relatives were fighting for power, and reinforcements were delayed, which became the fuse of troubled times. The death of Emperor Jing, and the succession of the young master triggered the "Luoyang Incident". The central government collapsed and the world was divided into separatists: Xiao Lie supported the "Yan Zhao Army" in the north to dominate Youyan, Lu Chengyuan led the "Jiangdong Alliance" in the southeast to defend the south of the Yangtze River, and the king of Liang and other forces in the northwest each dominated one side. The Central Plains fell into a melee. The main plot revolves around Zhao Heng, a side branch of the clan. He was originally a minor official in Shu. Because he could not bear the refugees being plundered by barbarians, he spent all his wealth to recruit troops, with the ambition of "restoring Dayong and returning power to the people." In the early days, he was in exile and gathered loyal and courageous people such as Zhou Meng, Chen Mo and Su Jin to win the hearts of the people with their benevolence. Later, he took advantage of the chaos to seize Xichuan, implemented benevolent policies such as the "Three Strategies to Encourage Farmers" and the "Sichuan People's Treaty", established the "Xinghan Army" and established its capital in Chengdu, forming a tripartite confrontation with Xiao Lie and Lu Chengyuan. Zhao Heng's Northern Expedition approached the Central Plains, but his success failed due to constraints from the gentry, betrayal of allies, and mistaken belief in surrendering generals. In his later years, he retreated to Baidi City and left an orphan at the end of his life. He left behind the legacy of "the people are the roots, the officials are the boats, and the soldiers are the shields". He died of illness with his unfinished ideals. His name of benevolence and virtue spread to Xichuan. Although he did not dominate the world, he left behind the tragic legend of "the lonely lamp shining on the people" in troubled times.