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THREE KINGDOMS
At the end of the Han Dynasty in 220, numerous conflicts ensued over the
division of power between three economic and political rivals, that
resulted in the division of the empire into what became known as
The
Three Kingdoms, namely the Wu in the south, the Wei in the north, and
the Shu Han in the west.
While the Wu occupied the Yangzi valley in the southeast and all of the
most of the south, they cultivated grains, and bred buffalo and pig.
During the Wu's rein, there was an attempt to forge alliances with
Yamato in Japan and Yan in Manchuria, with the idea that the Wei Kingdom
would collapse, but it failed.
The Shu Han was the smallest and richest of the Three Kingdoms. As
wealthy merchants, the Shu traded with Tibetans goods, manipulated
itself to conduct trade with neighboring India. Greed got the best of
the Tibetan tribes, which led to the Shu's demise by the Wei.
Under the rule of Ts'ao P'i, The Wei were considered the most powerful
of the three kingdoms, settled in the north along the Yellow River
valley, and its trade routes in its path. The Wei had eyes on Japan, and
managed to import Chinese culture into the region. The Wei succeeded in
conquering the Wu in 258 (NOTE: the Wu Kingdom was subjugated finally in
280), and eventually subjugated the Shu in 263. However, a couple years
later, Sima Yan, a general of one of the leading families in the region,
overtook the Wei, and became emperor of what was to become the Jin
Dynasty.
In an effort to restore its economic standing, Porcelain, teas, and
surrendered metals from weapons were used to increase cash to its
treasure chest. However, after 500 years, there was still a shortage of
monies, and eventually troops who were involved in battles, took it upon
themselves to barter their weapons for land
Buddhism began to spread throughout China during this period. It was
introduced in the first century A.D. but did not really begin to spread
until after the Han empire collapsed. The Buddhists were craftsmen and
artisans, responsible for the remarkable architecture at its temples and
monasteries. The long-term effects of Buddhism throughout China
still exists today, especially in the world of art, philosophy, and
literature.
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