Perez World Civ: China (People)

Fu Hao

One of the consorts of Wu Ding (A Shang king ruling during the Shang Zenith), who served as a military general and priestess (Two aspects of royalty that were not open to women. She led military campaigns against neighboring tribes. She is known for her tomb, which contained numerous weapons, and other valuable artifacts. Info of her comes from oracle bone inscriptions.

Qin Shi Huangdi

First true Chinese emperor, as he conquered neighbors and established the Qin Dynasty. He is known for unifying China and initiating major reforms, such as standardizing weights, measures, and the writing system (Caligraphy), as well as overseeing the construction of the Great Wall. Has a Terracotta army (Unique life sized soldiers, horsed, chariots) and mausoleum at Mount Li built.

Liu Bang

Began as a commoner, worked his way up through military and became a powerful general.  Defeated Qin kingdoms and becomes first emperor of Han Dynasty.  Liu Bang rewards family and advisors with land.  He is lenient, and likable by his subjects as he cuts expenditure.

Empress Lu

Liu Bang’s son Huidi is left with throneafter Liu’s death. Empress Lu, his mother is the backbone of the dynasty’s rule. After Huidi’s death, Lu places an infant on the throne such that she can be the one ruling.  She replaces Liu’s family from office with her own.  She murdered all princes or people who could be a threat to her throne.  After her death two officials replaced power to the Liu clan.

Han Wudi

The height of the Han Dynasty. Expands China to N.Vietnam, N.Korea, and all of modern China.  He forced landowners to divide land to all sons and not just oldest son, making family wealth harder to preserve.  This law hurts peasants financially.  He wanted government monopolies (Suboptimal for economy), he sells positions in such (Opposite of meritocracy).  Han Dynasty declines after his death.

Wang Mang

Wang Mang, a legalist and confucist philospophy-follower (Contradictary policies, and do not satisfy the rich or poor), proclaims himself as the emperor in 9 AD.  He loses mandate of heaven (__).

Confucius

A government official in a royal court, he produced texts on the proper way to govern. He believed in a type of Dao, but not as nature. Believed in a rigid social class, and emphasizes Virtues and filial piety (The father controls the family, Paternalistic society).

Mencius

A follower of Confucius who expanded on his teachings. He emphasized the importance of benevolent governance and the inherent goodness of human nature. He believed that rulers should be moral, or they will be removed by the heavens. Creates a responsibility for government.

Sui Yangdi

Most Prominent Sui emperor, and a tyrant who murdered his father and brothers for the throne. He builds the grand canal (Worlds largest artificial waterway): improving communication, maybe to move millitary, but has also been used for trade/transport.  Failed attempt to conquer Korea, and Korea unified, but Sui Yangdi loses power.

Shotoku Taishi

A Japanese regent who creates Japan’s first constitution using Confucian principles.  he was an enlightened ruler, and drafted ideas like city planning and political art by copying China.  First Japanes aristocrat to understand/distinguish Buddhist doctirines from kami cults.  Credited for building big Japanese temples.

Tang Taizong

One of the Greatest rulers in Chinese History, he promotes religious tolerance, reforms laws, prospers China.  He forced his father off the throne and killed some of his brothers.  He defeats raiding Turks.  Allows Christian/Zoroastrian missionaries.  Fixed 200 of his own mistakes pointed out by his Chancellor Wei Zheng.

Wu Zetian

Becomes concubine of Tang Teizong at age 14.  She married his son after his death, and became the hidden empress behind him.  Took control of government after sons death as well.  Places 2 sons on throne but immediatley removes them.  She favors Buddhism.

Tang Xuanzong

Tang Dynasty begins golden age under him.  He abolished death penalty,  constructed temples, increased trade,  decreed financial reforms, reorganizes army with veterans instead of farmers, reclaiming land from tribes. His Consort, Wu Hui Fei advises him to make Li Linfu the chancellor, but he was a power hungry, selfish man.  Xuanzong marries his son’s wife, and gives a lot of power to her family by her wishes.  These family members cannot rule and neglect their duties.

Wang Anshi

A Song Dynasty reformer and politician known for his innovative policies aimed at improving agriculture and the economy. He implemented the controversial New Policies reform to strengthen the state and improve the lives of common people.  Was unpopular due to reforms and was forced to resign.

Li Si

A prominent statesman of the Qin dynasty known for his role in centralizing the government and implementing legalist policies, as well as for his contributions to the Great Wall. 

Cai Lun

Inventor of Paper

Bi Sheng

Inventor of printing press.