Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty has now taken the place of the Qin Dynasty here in the year of 206 B.C.E. Liu Bang has expressed his plan of extending the Great Wall. The population is booming up to about 50 million people. Peace has been restored to China. Also, the Han Dynasty has adopted Confucianism. They rely on well-educated scholars to run a bureaucratic government. A scholar-official is expected to match the Confucian ideal of a gentleman. Emperors have adopted the idea of civil servants should win their position by merit, rather than through family ties.

Year 141 B.C.E.
Emperor Wudi has strengthened the government and economy. He is also making improvements to canals and roads. He has begun reorganizing finances and is imposing a government monopoly on salt and iron. His policy is expansionism, which is expanding China's territory by increasing the amount of land. He has also opened up a major trade route, the Silk Road.

Year 184 C.E.
Burdened by heavy taxes and enormous debt, the peasants have revolted. Many peasants have left their villages and fled to the mountains. I hear they have been forming secret groups, but who knows what that is about.

Year 220 C.E.
The Han Dynasty has aged and signs of decay are appearing. Emperors can no longer control military rules. The weak emperors in the past have let canals and roads fall into disrepair. Warlords have overthrown the last Han emperor. After 400 years of unity, China is now broken up into several kingdoms. Due to the disorder, many invaders have gotten over the Great Wall and set up their own states. So much for a "Great" Wall.