Chinese Dynasties: Three Kingdoms period - 三国时代;

From now on, we are going to see in next post Chinese history and culture, to go back to Chinese Thought as derivate from its school of thought and from its historical experience.

The Han dynasty is followed by the Three Kingdoms, even if this period might not be so relevant nor lasting in history it is a well known part of Chinese history due to the famous Roman of The Three Kingdoms novel, written during the Ming dynasty by Luo Guangzhong, one of the four Chinese literature classics along with Journey to the West, The Outlaw of Marsh and A Dream of the Red Mansions. The Three Kingdoms is the one focused in war.

The Yellow Turban Rebellion in 184 attracted many followers and soon numbered several hundred thousands receiving support from many parts of China. The Yellow Turbans were ultimately defeated and its surviving followers dispersed throughout China, but due to the turbulent situation throughout the empire, many were able to survive as bandits in mountainous areas, thus continuing their ability to contribute to the turmoil of the era. The Han army had no way to repel each and every raiding party and in 188, Emperor Ling granted direct administrative power over feudal provinces and direct command of regional military to local governors, as well promoting them in rank and filling such positions with members of the Liu family or court officials. This move made provinces (zhou) official administrative units, and although they had power to combat rebellions, the later intra-government chaos allowed these local governors to easily rule independently of the central government.

That same year 188, Emperor Ling died, and another struggle began between the court eunuchs for control of the Imperial family. This event prompted the invitation of general Dong Zhuo to enter Luoyang from the northwest boundary of China. At the time China faced the powerful barbarians of Qiang tribe to the northwest, and thus Dong Zhuo controlled a large army with elite training. When he brought the army to Luoyang, he was able to easily overpower the existing armies of both sides and took control of the imperial court, ushering in a period of civil war across China.

The earlier, "unofficial" part of the period, from 184 to 220, was marked by chaotic infighting between warlords in various parts of China. The middle part of the period, from 220 and 263, was marked by a more militarily stable arrangement between three rival states, Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu.  The later part of this period was marked by the collapse of the tripartite situation: first the destruction of Shu by Wei (263), then the overthrow of Wei by the Jin Dynasty (265), and the destruction of Wu by Jin (280).