★In the realm of history and science on Bilbili (a Chinese video platform), a notable popularizer focuses on Emperor Wu of Han, engaging in a captivating discussion about the pivotal era characterized by significant breakthroughs in Chinese history, which leads us to explore the key aspects of Chinese history and the essence of Chinese civilization.

★Centered around the life trajectory of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, this book unravels the historical tapestry of the period before and after the first century B.C.E. It unveils the mysteries of the era under Emperor Wu's reign.

Soldiers guarding the Gobi desert, laborers on the dikes and canals, messengers traveling the Western Regions, and farmers planting crops in the fields... We will never know the lives and stories of many more people. What we can do is to catch a glimpse of this once-vibrant world through limited information. The historical records did not document these people, but we know they existed.

This book is sourced from authoritative historical texts such as "Records of the Grand Historian," "Book of Han," and "Zizhi Tongjian." It takes the life trajectory of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, as its main thread and uses the period's defining events as a breakthrough point. By analyzing the economic, political, and social factors behind these events, it allows readers to gain a deep understanding of the history of the era of Emperor Wu of Han.

The book focuses on detailed reasoning, with content that is both interlocking and thrilling, as well as measured and balanced. The writing throughout the book is lively and clear, making it easy to understand.

Preface: The World Before the Birth of Emperor Wu of Han

Chapter 1: The "Three Heavy Mountains" Over the Emperor's Head
The Composition of the Han Dynasty's Early Ruling Group
The Three Problems Faced by the Han Dynasty at Its Inception
An Overview of the Han Dynasty's Taxation System

Chapter 2: The Hidden Link Between the Rebellion of the Seven States and the Death of the Crown Prince
The Relationship Between the Central Government and the Feudal Lords in the Early Han Dynasty
The Suppression of the Rebellion of the Seven States
Why Was Being Crown Prince So Difficult

Chapter 3: The Death of Zhou Yafu
The Thunderbolt Methods of a Benevolent Father
Another "Hongmen Banquet"
The Logic of Emperor Jing

Chapter 4: Emperor Wu of Han's "Three Fires"
The Social Foundation of the New Policies
The Debate Between Confucianism and Huang-Lao Thought
Emperor Wu's Initial Grip on Power

Chapter 5: Thirteen Years and Twenty Thousand Miles
The Origin and Composition of the Western Regions Expedition
Zhang Qian's Capture
The Issue of Zhang Qian's Return Route
The Historical Value of the Western Regions Expedition and Historians' Evaluation of Zhang Qian

Chapter 6: A Brief History of the Xiongnu, The Origin of the Nomadic Empire
The Inner Motivation of Human Development
The Reasons for the Emergence of Nomadic Civilization
An Overview of the Development of the Xiongnu
The Essence of the Conflict between Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

Chapter 7: The Imperial Examination System - A Guide to the Recruitment of "Civil Servants" in the Han Dynasty
The Supported Confucian Doctrine
The Conflict between Emperor Wu and His Ministers
The Origin of the Cha Ju system
Part I of the Cha Ju system - Regular Subjects
Part II of the Cha Ju system - Special Subjects
Supplementary to the Cha Ju system - The Summons and Appointment System

Chapter 8: The Political Structure of the Western Han and the Inner Court System
The Administrative Hierarchy of the Han Dynasty
The Contradiction between the Monarch and Bureaucrats
The Initial Process of the Inner Court System

Chapter 9: The Bizarre Battle of Mayi - The Prelude to the Hundred Years' War between the Han and the Xiongnu
The Origin of the Battle of Mayi
The Debate between the Peace and War Factions
War or Peace, It's About Interests
The Battle Plan of the Han Army
The Collapse of the Battle Plan
The Handling of Responsible Persons after the War
The Aftermath of the War

Chapter 10: A Flood and the Death of Generals and Ministers
The Breach of the Huzi Levee
The Formation and History of the Yellow River Breaches
The Yellow River Levee Project
The Aftermath of the Huzi Levee Breach
The Conflict between New and Old Matrimonial Relatives
The Death of Dou Ying and Tian Fen
Emperor Wu's Fertility Issues

Chapter 11: Expanding the Southwestern Frontier
The Origin of Expanding the Southwestern Frontier
An Overview of the Geographic Environment in the Southwest Region
The Qin and Han Dynasties' Development and Road Construction in the Southwest
The Origin of the Arrogance of the State of Yelang
The Han Dynasty's Strategy for Ruling the Southwest Region
The Significance of Developing the Great Southwest for China

Chapter 12: From Slave to General, How Capable the Han People Could Be
Deployment of Troops
Purpose of the Campaign
Course of the Battle
The Location of Longcheng
Post-battle Handling
The Impact of the Battle of Longcheng
General Wei Qing
An Overview of the Military Organization and Cavalry Equipment of the Western Han Dynasty
The Path to Becoming a General

Chapter 13: Wei Qing's Four Expeditions to the Desert South, Huo Qubing's Two Battles in the Hexi Corridor
The First Battle of the Desert South
The Second Battle of the Desert South
The Third Battle of the Desert South
The Fourth Battle of the Desert South
Champion Marquis Huo Qubing
The First Battle in the Hexi Corridor
The Second Battle in the Hexi Corridor

Chapter 14: The Decisive Battle in the Northern Desert
Pre-battle Preparations: The Material Consumption of the Han Army
Total War Two Thousand Years Ago
Deployment of Troops
The Course of Wei Qing's Army
The Course of Huo Qubing's Army
The Aftermath of the War
The National Mission of the Chinese People

Chapter 15: The Difficult Path to Wealth for a Middle-aged Emperor
Military Expenditures in the Han Dynasty
Financial Embarrassment
The Chaotic Monetary Policy in the Early Han Dynasty
The Rise of Industrial and Commercial Tycoons in the Early Han Dynasty
Tough Financial Reforms
Salt and Iron Monopoly
Unified Currency

Chapter 16: Two Kings' Rebellion - A Tragedy and Farce with Tens of Thousands of Accompanying Burials
The Family History of the King of Huainan
The Origin of the Parallel System of Prefectures and Principalities in the Han Dynasty
The Policy of Reducing Fiefs and the Enfeoffment Edict
"Huainanzi" and the Political Ambitions of the King of Huainan
The Process of the King of Huainan's Rebellion
The Process of the King of Hengshan's Rebellion

Chapter 17: Nanyue's Surrender
An Overview of Lingnan
The Establishment of Nanyue Kingdom
The Succession of Nanyue Monarchs
Hairstyle and the Issue of Civilization Assimilation
A Different Kind of Beautiful Disaster
The Rebellion of the Nanyue Ruling Class
The Course of the War
The Significance of Nanyue Kingdom and Lingnan for Chinese Civilization

Chapter 18: Opening Up the Western Regions: The Chronicles of Thirty-Six States
The Scope and Geographic Environment of the Western Regions
An Overview of the Main Countries in the Western Regions
The Motives for the Han Dynasty to Open Up the Western Regions
Zhang Qian's Second Mission to the Western Regions

Chapter 19: Opening Up the Western Regions: Two Expeditions to Da Yuan, Five Battles with Cheshi
The Diplomatic Dilemma of the Han Dynasty in the Western Regions
Zhao Polu's Battle with Loulan
The First Expedition to Da Yuan
The Second Expedition to Da Yuan
The First Battle with Cheshi
The Second Battle with Cheshi
The Third Battle with Cheshi
The Logic and Tuntian System of the Han Dynasty's Management of the Western Regions
The Fourth Battle with Cheshi
The Fifth Battle with Cheshi
The Establishment of the Western Regions Protectorate
Princess Jieyou's Marriage Alliance with the Wusun
The Past of Loulan
The Issue of Controlling the Frontier Regions
The Relationship between the Emperor and Territorial Expansion

Chapter 20: The Powerful - The Gravediggers of the Han Empire
The Composition of the Landlord Class in the Western Han Dynasty
The Clan System and the Origin of the Powerful
The Relationship between the Aristocratic Bureaucrats and the Powerful
The Reasons for the Growth of the Powerful Forces in the Han Dynasty
The Social Problems Caused by the Powerful
The Social Roots of the Powerful Issues
The Relationship between the Powerful Forces and the Fall of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 21: The End of the Hundred Years' War between the Han and the Xiongnu
The Impact of the Natural Environment on the Xiongnu's Defeat
The Failure of Zhao Polu's Army
The Battle of Tianshan
The Second Battle in the Northern Desert
The Third Battle in the Northern Desert
The Reasons for the Unfavorable Later Wars against the Xiongnu
The Han Dynasty's War of Attrition against the Xiongnu
The Division and Extinction of the Xiongnu
Why We Are Called Han People

Chapter 22: The Bloody Battle of Junji Mountain
Li Ling's Early Experiences
The Cause of the Battle of Junji Mountain
Internal Contradictions and Adjustments to the Battle Plan of the Han Army
The Composition and Logistics of Li Ling's Corps
The Course of Li Ling's Corps' Battle
Speculations on the Reason for No Support for Li Ling's Corps
Sima Qian's Defense of Li Ling
Speculations on the Reasons for Sima Qian's Involvement in the Li Ling Incident
The Beginning and End of Sima Qian's Castration
Li Ling and Su Wu, How Would You Choose
The Ideological Conflict between Emperor Wu and Sima Qian

Chapter 23: Measuring China, Emperor Wu's 34 Tours
The Origin of the Tour Activities
Tour Activities before the Battle in the Northern Desert
Tour Activities after the Battle in the Northern Desert
Emperor Wu's Quest for Immortality

Chapter 24: The Disaster of Witchcraft
The Historical Sources of the Disaster of Witchcraft
The Origin and Course of the Disaster of Witchcraft
The Outcomes of Various Characters
Conspiracy Theories about the Disaster of Witchcraft
The Origin and Operation of Court Politics
The Historical Roots of Cultural Differences between the East and the West

Chapter 25: China's Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Dynasties
The General Situation of Earth's Climate over the Past 65 Million Years
Climate Change on Earth in the Last 10,000 Years
The Comparison between China's Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Dynasties
The Climate and Natural Environment during the Western Han Dynasty
Climate Disasters during Emperor Wu's Period
Measures to Address Climate Disasters in the Han Dynasty - Winter Wheat and the Dai Tian Method

Chapter 26: Water Conservancy Projects and the Issue of "Eating by the Weather"
The Issue of Controlling the Production Environment in Agriculture
The Energy Source and Production Cost of Crops
Forms of Irrigation during Emperor Wu's Period
Water Conservancy Construction during Emperor Wu's Period

Chapter 27: The Policy Shift in Emperor Wu's Later Years
An Overview of the Yaomu Gate Incident
The Connection between the Yaomu Gate Incident and the Disaster of Witchcraft
The Origin of the "Luntai Self-criticism Edict"
Analysis of the Content of the Luntai Edict
The Ministers Entrusting the Orphan
General Adjustments in National Policy

Chapter 28: The Salt and Iron Debate and the Rebellion Case of Shangguan Jie
Overview of the Salt and Iron Debate
2. Deconstruction of the "Discourses on Salt and Iron"
The Core of the Salt and Iron Debate
4. The True Meaning of "Contending with the People for Profit"
Judgment of Stances and the Issue of So-Called "Objective Impartiality"
The Outcome of the Salt and Iron Debate
The Beginning and End of Shangguan Jie's Rebellion Case
Bizarre Events during the Reign of Emperor Zhao of Han

Chapter 29: The 27-Day Emperor
The Ascension of Liu He
The Deposition of Liu He
Conspiracy Theories Surrounding Liu He's Deposition
The Final Outcome for Liu He

Chapter 30: Echoes of the Han Wu Era
The Early Experiences of Liu Bingyi
The Temple Name of Emperor Wu of Han and the Posthumous Title of Crown Prince Li
The Compromises of Emperor Xuan of Han
Huo Guang's Approach to Governance
The Conflict between Huo Guang and Emperor Xuan of Han
Issues of Power Transition among Political Factions
The Characteristics of Emperor Xuan of Han's Rule
The Evolution of Qin and Han National Ideologies
The Evolution of National Ideology during the Reigns of Emperors Zhao and Xuan
The Social Foundations for Confucianism to Become the Official Ideological System

Final Chapter: Era and Individuals
The Complexity of Historical Issues
Attitudes Towards Historical Issues
The Relationship Between Era and Individuals