A World of Many Powers

Major theme of the lecture

The collapse of Han authority led to religious movements, regional warlords, the Three Kingdoms period, new nomadic powers, and the rise of states such as Koguryo.

Heavenly Masters Daoism (Tianshi Dao)

A popular religious Daoist movement founded by Zhang Daoling that emphasized morality, ritual, and salvation during a time of political disorder.

Zhang Daoling

Founder of Heavenly Masters Daoism who taught that society had become corrupt and morally polluted.

Heavenly Masters Daoism and social crisis

The movement emerged from the belief that people had become corrupt and that the age was chaotic and disorderly.

Difference between Philosophical and Religious Daoism

Philosophical Daoism emphasized harmony with nature and withdrawal from politics, while Religious Daoism focused on ritual, salvation, priests, and organized communities.

Wang Mang

Founder of the Xin Dynasty whose reforms attempted to restore an idealized ancient social order.

Dates of Wang Mang

45 BCE-23 CE.

Xin Dynasty

Short-lived dynasty established by Wang Mang that interrupted Han rule.

Wang Mang and legitimacy

Wang Mang claimed authority through reform and restoration of ancient ideals, raising questions about who possessed the Mandate of Heaven.

Wang Mang's reforms

Attempted land redistribution, restoration of ancient institutions, and limitations on elite power.

Well-Field System

Ancient land system Wang Mang attempted to revive that had been abolished by the Qin.

Why Wang Mang failed

His reforms alienated powerful elites and combined with natural disasters and unrest to undermine his rule.

Mandate of Heaven

The belief that Heaven grants legitimate rulers authority but can withdraw support from corrupt governments.

Red Cliff

Famous battle that prevented Cao Cao from unifying China and led to the Three Kingdoms era.

Importance of Red Cliff

The battle helped create the political conditions for the Three Kingdoms period.

Red Cliff and historical memory

More important in Chinese cultural memory than as a purely military event because it became central to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

A famous historical novel that shaped how generations remembered the Three Kingdoms period.

Theme of Romance of the Three Kingdoms

The struggle for legitimacy, loyalty, strategy, and reunification after the collapse of Han rule.

Opening theme of Three Kingdoms

'The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.'

Meaning of 'long divided, must unite'

Chinese history was seen as moving through cycles of unity and fragmentation.

Three Kingdoms period

Age of division following the collapse of the Han characterized by Cao-Wei, Shu-Han, and Wu.

Cao-Wei

Northern kingdom established by the Cao family and successor to Cao Cao's power base.

Location of Cao-Wei

Northern China.

Shu-Han

Kingdom founded by Liu Bei in Sichuan that claimed to continue the Han dynasty.

Location of Shu-Han

Sichuan region of southwest China.

Wu

Southern kingdom ruled by Sun Quan with its capital in the Nanjing region.

Location of Wu

Lower Yangzi region centered near Nanjing.

Cao Cao

Powerful warlord who helped suppress the Yellow Turban Rebellion and dominated northern China.

Cao Cao and the Yellow Turbans

He gained power through campaigns against the Yellow Turban rebels.

Cao Cao in the novel

Often portrayed as brilliant but ruthless and morally ambiguous.

Ban Gu on Cao Cao

Associated Cao Cao's behavior with moral decline.

Liu Bei

Founder of Shu-Han who claimed to continue the Han imperial tradition.

Liu Bei and legitimacy

His kingdom gained support because he claimed descent from the Han imperial family.

Sun Quan

Ruler of Wu and major rival of Cao Cao.

Three Kingdoms and legitimacy

Each kingdom claimed some form of political legitimacy after the collapse of Han rule.

Historical vs Literary Three Kingdoms

The historical period and the later novel differ, with the novel creating heroes, villains, and legendary events.

Chen Sanping's argument about China

The idea of a continuous Chinese core after the fall of Han may be more complicated and less concrete than later histories suggest.

North vs South theme

The Three Kingdoms period helped create enduring ideas about a military north and a cultured south.

Northern stereotype

Associated with warfare, cavalry, and military strength.

Southern stereotype

Associated with refinement, culture, and literature.

John Woo

Hong Kong director who adapted the story of Red Cliff into a modern film.

Red Cliff film

Modern adaptation showing the continuing influence of the Three Kingdoms tradition.

Jurchens and Three Kingdoms memory

Later conquered peoples often identified with Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang as underdogs resisting larger powers.

Zhuge Liang

Master strategist and advisor to Liu Bei who became one of the most admired figures in Chinese history.

Zhuge Liang and loyalty

Remained devoted to the Shu-Han cause despite its relative weakness.

Why Zhuge Liang is famous

Known for intelligence, strategy, loyalty, and legendary ingenuity.

Zhuge Liang as a trickster

Frequently defeats stronger opponents through intelligence rather than force.

Philosophical Daoism and Zhuge Liang

Associated with his preference for a quiet life in the countryside before entering politics.

Religious Daoism and Zhuge Liang

In the novel he appears to use Daoist magic, including changing wind direction.

Zhuge Liang and historical memory

Represents wisdom and strategic genius in Chinese culture.

'The young should not read Water Margin; the old should not read Three Kingdoms'

Traditional saying suggesting the novels can strongly influence behavior and outlook.

Cao Cao's poem

Poem associated with imperial ambition, prosperity, talent, and possession of the Southland daughters Qiao.

Purpose of Cao Cao's poem in the novel

Used to demonstrate ambition and help motivate opposition to Cao Cao.

Xiao Qiao

Legendary beauty associated with the Southland daughters Qiao and compared to Helen of Troy.

Why Xiao Qiao is called the Chinese Helen of Troy

Her beauty becomes linked to major political and military conflict in literary tradition.

Xu Shu's mother

Figure associated with choosing loyalty over filial duty.

Xu Shu's mother and Confucian values

Illustrates tension between family obligations and loyalty to a political cause.

Lady Mi

Mother of Liu Shan who sacrifices herself during wartime events.

Liu Shan

Son of Liu Bei who is rescued by Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun

Heroic Shu general famous for rescuing Liu Shan.

Lady Mi and Zhao Yun

Lady Mi sacrifices herself so Zhao Yun can save Liu Shan.

Sun Shangxiang

Sister of Sun Quan and wife of Liu Bei in the novel.

Sun Shangxiang and gender roles

Challenges conventional expectations by exercising military and political agency.

Sun Shangxiang's female guards

She is accompanied by female troops and armed attendants.

Sun Shangxiang and Liu Bei

Their marriage serves as a political alliance.

Sun Shangxiang and Sun Quan

She defies efforts by Sun Quan's side that threaten Liu Bei.

Gender troubles in Three Kingdoms

Women frequently become symbols of loyalty, sacrifice, political alliance, or conflict.

Fractured Xiongnu Empire

Period when Xiongnu power weakened and new nomadic peoples emerged.

Xianbei

Major nomadic group that rose after the decline of Xiongnu power.

Importance of the Xianbei

Became one of the strongest groups in northern Asia after the Xiongnu fragmented.

Koguryo

Major Korean kingdom existing from 37 BCE to 668 CE.

Koguryo as the longest-lasting Korean kingdom

Lasted from 37 BCE until 668 CE.

Cao-Wei and Koguryo

Wei forces defeated Koguryo in 245 CE.

Western Jin

Dynasty established after a general usurped Cao-Wei in 265 CE.

Creation of Western Jin

A general overthrew Cao-Wei and eventually defeated Wu and Shu.

Western Jin and reunification

Briefly reunified China after the Three Kingdoms period.

Eastern Jin

Successor Jin regime that became an important southern power.

Koguryo and Eastern Jin

Koguryo sent tribute to the Eastern Jin.

Koguryo's recovery

After defeat by Wei, Koguryo regained strength and expanded.

Lelang and Daifang

Korean commanderies originally established by Han influence.

Koguryo and Lelang

Koguryo annexed Lelang in 313 CE.

Koguryo and Daifang

Koguryo annexed Daifang in 313 CE.

Significance of annexing Lelang and Daifang

Marked the end of centuries of direct Chinese commandery rule in Korea.

Connection between Han collapse and Korean growth

The weakening of Chinese power created opportunities for Korean states such as Koguryo to expand.

Ba State

Regional kingdom in Sichuan demonstrating China's cultural diversity.

Ba State religion

Included worship of a tiger spirit.

Ba State economy

Known for hunting and boating traditions.

Ba State and Daoism

Associated with Celestial Master Daoism.

Ba State script

Maintained its own writing system.

Celestial Master Daoism

Another name for Heavenly Masters Daoism that spread into regions such as Sichuan.

Major theme of legitimacy in the lecture

Wang Mang, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and other rulers all sought to justify their right to govern.

Major theme of historical memory

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms shaped popular understanding more than the historical record.

Major theme of Daoism

Daoism evolved from a philosophy into organized religious movements that influenced politics and society.

Major theme of gender in Three Kingdoms

Female figures often illustrate loyalty, sacrifice, political marriage, and challenges to traditional expectations.

Major theme of Korea and China

Political fragmentation in China allowed Koguryo to expand and eliminate remaining Chinese commanderies.

Major theme of the post-Han world

The collapse of imperial unity created opportunities for new kingdoms, new religions, and new identities across East Asia.