Chapter 68 – Great Ambitions

Author’s Note:

To avoid association and being labeled as promoting “historical nihilism,” I have reconsidered the setting and made the southeastern islands and barbarian enemies even more fictional. However, to express that they share the same cultural roots as us, I will borrow historical figures and anecdotes.

I reiterate that this story is set in a fictional world. All governmental systems and place names are fictional! Please bear with me, dear readers!

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Nong Zhigao: Nong Zhigao was the leader of the Nong clan during the Northern Song Dynasty in Guangyuan State. In the first year of the Qingli era (1041), Nong Zhigao established the “Dali Kingdom” in Tangyou Prefecture (now Jingxi, Guangxi, which at the time governed Ande Prefecture and other regions, not under the jurisdiction of Guangyuan Prefecture). He resisted the Li Dynasty of Jiaozhi. Simultaneously, Nong Zhigao requested to submit to the Song Dynasty in order to gain a position to unite various tribes against Jiaozhi’s plundering. However, his request was denied. Consequently, he founded the “Southern Kingdom” in his hometown, Ande Prefecture, proclaiming himself Emperor Renhui, with the era name Jingrui. He repeatedly repelled invasions from Jiaozhi, but his repeated requests for submission to the Song Dynasty were unsuccessful.

In the fourth year of the Huanyou era (1052), in April, Nong Zhigao rebelled against the Song Dynasty. In May, he captured Yong Prefecture, changing his kingdom’s name to the Great Southern Kingdom, with the era name Qili. He defeated the Song Dynasty’s troops sent to suppress the rebellion multiple times. In the following year, in January, Nong Zhigao was defeated by Di Qing and subsequently fled to Dali, disappearing without a trace.