User:Lds/Sandbox/Shuo Tang Yanyi Quanzhuan

Shuo Tang Yanyi Quanzhuan, commonly abbreviated as Shuo Tang and also known as Shuo Tang Quanzhuan and Shuo Tang Qianzhuan, is a historical novel based on the events in the Sui and Tang dynasties, beginning with the conquest of the Chen dynasty by Emperor Wen of Sui in the 580s CE and concluding with the enthronement of Emperor Taizong of Tang in 626. The novel was written by an unknown author in the 17th century during the Qing dynasty.

Background
The novel is a romanticisation of historical events and figures of the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties. It is similar to another historical novel Sui Tang Yanyi, by Chu Renhuo (褚人獲), which covers not only the transition from Sui to Tang, but also the events of the An Lushan Rebellion.

Stories and folk tales about the insurrection against the Sui dynasty had been circulating since the Song dynasty (960-1279) — roughly five centuries before the novel was written. Influential works based on the Sui and Tang dynasties preceding Shuo Tang Yanyi Quanzhuan include Sui Tang Zhi Zhuan (隋唐志傳; Historical Tales of Sui and Tang), Sui Yangdi Yanshi (隋煬帝艷史; Splendid History of Emperor Yang of Sui) and Sui Shi Yiwen (隋史遺文; Lost Writings on the History of Sui), all of which were written during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

Sequels to Shuo Tang Yanyi Quanzhuan include Shuo Tang Houzhuan (說唐后傳), Zhengxi Shuo Tang Sanzhuan (征西說唐三傳) and Fan Tang Yanyi Zhuan (反唐演義傳). However, these works have been criticised as imitations of Shuo Tang Yanyi Quanzhuan and lacking in originality, therefore they are less popular than Shuo Tang Yanyi Quanzhuan.

The original version of the novel comes in 10 volumes and is 68 chapters long. It is believed to have been first published in the later years of the reign of the Kangxi Emperor. The oldest surviving copy of the book is a 1783 edition dating from the Qianlong Emperor's era. It includes a preface written by a person under the pseudonym "Lotus Householder" (如蓮居士). A more modern edition, edited by Chen Ruheng (陳汝衡; 1900-1989), is 66 chapters long.

Plot
The novel is set in the Sui and early Tang dynasties of ancient China, covering a period known as the transition from Sui to Tang. During the Sui dynasty, Yang Guang murders his father Emperor Wen and elder brother Yang Yong in order to seize the throne, and becomes known as Emperor Yang of Sui. The tyrannical Emperor Yang leads an extravagant lifestyle while the people suffer under his oppressive rule and the government degrades into corruption and bankruptcy. This leads to the outbreak of uprisings and rebellions throughout China. The story focuses on one particular rebel force based on Wa Hill (瓦崗, also known as Wagang), whose members comprise people from different walks of life, including ordinary commoners, outlaws, former civil servants and military officers, jianghu figures, etc. These heroes eventually join their allies in overthrowing the Sui dynasty. After the fall of Sui, the empire disintegrates into a number of small states, each ruled by a contender to the throne. Some Wagang members decide to join Li Yuan (later Emperor Gaozu of the Tang dynasty) and assist him in overcoming all other opposing forces and reuniting China under Tang rule. The final part of the novel tells of the rivalry between Li Yuan's sons, which leads to the Incident at Xuanwu Gate, where Li Shimin killed his brothers Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji to seize the succession. Li Shimin later becomes Emperor Taizong of Tang. The story ends at the beginning of Emperor Taizong's reign, known as the Zhenguan era, which is considered one of the golden ages in Chinese history.

Important characters

 * Yuwen Tai (宇文泰), the founder of the Northern Zhou state in the late Southern and Northern Dynasties period.
 * Yang Zhong (楊忠), a Northern Zhou general, Duke of Sui (隋公), posthumously honoured as "Emperor Taizu of Sui" (隋太祖).
 * Yang Lin (楊林), Yang Zhong's younger brother, Prince Kaoshan (靠山王; lit. "Prince Who Can Be Relied On").
 * Yang Jian (楊堅), Yang Zhong's son, seized the throne of Northern Zhou and established the Sui dynasty, became Emperor Wen of Sui.
 * Yang Guang (楊廣), Yang Jian's second son, Prince of Jin (晉王), later became Emperor Yang of Sui.
 * Qin Xu (秦旭), a Northern Qi general.
 * Qin Yi (秦彝), Qin Xu's son, a Northern Qi general.
 * Qin Qiong (秦瓊), also known as Qin Shubao (秦叔寶), Qin Yi's son, later became a Tang general.
 * Luo Yi (羅藝), Qin Qiong's maternal uncle, former Duke of Yan (燕公) under Northern Qi, received the title "Marquis Jingbian" (靖邊侯; lit. "Marquis Who Defends the Border") after pledging allegiance to the Sui dynasty.
 * Luo Cheng (羅成), Luo Yi's son, became Duke of Yue (越國公) during the Tang dynasty.
 * Cheng Yaojin (程咬金), also known as Cheng Zhijie (程知節), chief of the rebels at Wagang (瓦崗), nicknamed "Demon King of Chaos" (混世魔王), later became a Tang general and received the title "Duke of Lu" (魯國公).
 * Li Yuan (李淵), a Sui general, founder of the Tang dynasty, became Emperor Gaozu of Tang (唐高祖).
 * Li Jiancheng (李建成), Li Yuan's eldest son, Prince of Yin (殷王), became crown prince of Tang.
 * Li Shimin (李世民), Li Yuan's second son, Prince of Qin (秦王), became Emperor Taizong of Tang.
 * Li Yuanji (李元吉), Li Yuan's third son, Prince of Qi (齊王).
 * Li Yuanba (李元霸), Li Yuan's fourth son, Prince of Zhao (趙王).
 * Chai Shao (柴紹), Li Yuan's son-in-law, a Tang general.
 * Yuwen Shu (宇文述), a Sui general.
 * Yuwen Huaji (宇文化及), Yuwen Shu's eldest son, a Sui minister, killed Emperor Yang of Sui in a coup, declared himself "King of Xu" (許王).
 * Yuwen Chengdu (宇文成都), Yuwen Huaji's eldest son, a Sui general.
 * Wu Jianzhang (伍建章), a Sui minister.
 * Wu Yunzhao (伍雲召), Wu Jianzhang's son, a Sui general, later declared himself "Prince Zhongxiao" (忠孝王; lit. "Loyal and Filial Prince").
 * Han Qinhu (韓擒虎), a Sui general, Duke of Qi (齊國公).
 * Qiu Rui (邱瑞), a Sui minister, Prince of Changping (長平王), later joined Wagang.
 * Wei Wentong (魏文通), a Sui general defending Tong Pass, nicknamed "Equivalent of Lord Guan" (賽關公).
 * Pei Renji (裴仁基), a Sui general.
 * Pei Yuanqing (裴元慶), Pei Renji's third son, later joined Wagang.
 * Wang Shichong (王世充), a Sui general defending Luoyang, appointed governor of Qionghua (瓊花) by Emperor Yang of Sui.
 * Shang Shitu (尚師徒), a Sui general defending Lintong Pass (臨潼關).
 * Xin Wenli (新文禮), a Sui general defending Hongni Pass (紅泥關).
 * Dou Jiande (竇建德), a Sui general, later declared himself "King of Xia" (夏王).
 * Liu Heita (劉黑闥), Dou Jiande's vanguard, later declared himself "King of Han" (漢王).
 * Zhu Can (朱燦), a Sui general, later declared himself "King of Nanyang" (南陽王).
 * Su Dingfang (蘇定方), a Sui general, surrendered to Tang and received the title "Duke of Xi" (錫國公).
 * Yang Su (楊素), a Sui general, born a Tujue but received the surname Yang for his accomplishments, later became Duke of Yue (越公).
 * Li Mi (李密), a Sui general, became chief of Wagang and proclaimed himself "King of Western Wei" (西魏王), later surrendered to Tang.
 * Xu Maogong (徐茂公), strategist of Wagang, later served Tang and received the title "Military Advisor Who Stabilises the Nation" (鎮國軍師) and "Duke of Ying" (英國公).
 * Wei Zheng (魏征), strategist of Wagang, later served Tang as a minister.
 * You Junda (尤俊達), an outlaw, joined Wagang.
 * Yuchi Gong (尉遲恭), also known as Yuchi Jingde (尉遲敬德), vanguard under Liu Wuzhou, later served Tang and received the title "Duke of E" (鄂國公).
 * Liu Wuzhou (劉武周), one of the 18 rebel lords, declared himself "King of Dingyang" (定陽王).
 * Meng Haigong (孟海公), one of the 18 rebel lords, declared himself "King of Songyi" (宋義王).
 * Xiong Kuohai (雄闊海), an outlaw, joined Wagang.
 * Wu Tianxi (伍天錫), an outlaw, Wu Yunzhao's cousin, joined Wagang.
 * Qi Guoyuan (齊國遠), an outlaw based on Mount Shaohua (少華山), joined Wagang.
 * Li Rugui (李如珪), an outlaw based on Mount Shaohua (少華山), joined Wagang.
 * Shan Xiongxin (單雄信), an outlaw, joined Wagang, later became Wang Shichong's son-in-law.
 * Li Jing (李靖), an advisor to the Duke of Yue, later served Tang as a general and received the title "Duke of Wei" (魏國公).
 * Xie Yingdeng (謝映登), joined Wagang, later followed his uncle Xie Hongdu (謝洪度) to practise Taoism.
 * Zhu Wudeng (朱伍登), Wu Yunzhao's son, adopted by Zhu Can, later served Tang and received the title "Marquis of Nanyang" (南陽侯).