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The earliest known literate civilization in China, spanning the reigns of the last nine kings of the Shang dynasty. Verifiable chinese history begins with records and artifacts of this age.
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A.k.a Zhou Yi. The precursor to the I Ching containing first mentions of trigrams and hexagrams as well as their judgements and line statements. Likely compiled from multiple documents dating back to 10th century BC.
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The slow decline of confederal Zhou model. Ruling house of Ji retains direct control over Wei River valley and parts of North China Plain while delegating the rest to various fiefdoms. Royal authority rapidly declines soon becoming almost entirely ceremonial. Before long the Mandate of Haven becomes the last thing keeping the semblance of order and after its symbolic power proves insufficient, the land is thrown into unmitigated chaos.
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Grand historian and astrologer Lao Dan (a Laozi candidate according to Sima Quan), lived during the reign of Duke Xian of Qin (depicted)
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Approximate dating of Guodian Chu Slips, the oldest known manuscript of Tao Te Jing.
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After a prolonged unifying campaign, king Ying Zheng (Qin Shi Huang) becomes the first person in history to rule all of China. His regime does not last and collapses soon after his death.
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A short-lived reign of usurper Wang Mang who proclaimed the Xin meaning "new" or "restored" dynasty. The name is taken from "Renewing and renewing, this is called grand morality" in the Ten Wings of the I Ching.
Soon after Mang's inauguration, the country was destabilized by several natural disasters, including the Yellow River changing course, and he spent the next decade fighting rebels before being overthrown by remaining Han loyalists.
Thus it's the Han dynasty which was renewed. -
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