Explore the 'Book of Han,' China's first biographical dynastic history, authored by Ban Gu. Delve into the detailed chronicles of the Western Han Dynasty, covering 229 years of significant events from 206 BCE to 23 CE. Known for its elegant and refined language, this historical masterpiece sets the standard for Chinese historiography. Unearth the stories of emperors, scholars, and warriors through meticulously crafted records that influenced generations of historians.
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A Journey Through Chinese Governance"From Ancient Dynasties to Imperial Heights: "
Since ancient times, the rise of emperors and kings has never been without the support of loyal ministers who contributed jointly to their celestial achievements! The Han dynasty began in the autumn of the first year of Qin's Second Emperor, during the Chu and Chen years. Initially, Liu Bang commanded an army and rose to prominence. In three years, he conquered the west and defeated Qin, establishing himself as the King of Han. Within five years, he conquered Xiang Yu in the east and ascended to the imperial throne. After eight years, the realm was pacified, and discussions on achievements and noble titles began. By the twelfth year, there were 143 marquisates. At that time, the major cities were in disarray, with scattered and displaced populations. The population was scarce and could be counted by the tens or hundreds. Therefore, the large marquises had no more than ten thousand households, while the smaller ones had five or six hundred households. The oath of enfeoffment proclaimed, "May the Yellow River be like a belt, and Mount Tai like a ridge. May the state endure forever, reaching the descendants of the Miao people." Thus, they confirmed it with cinnabar-inscribed documents and sealed it with oaths on white horses, establishing eighteen ranks of marquisates.
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