Western Jin
YingZheng
dethroned the Wei Emperor and established the Jin Dynasty, historically
known as the Western Jin. Although the Western Jin survived for mere 52
years, it ended the split Three Kingdoms Period and unified China,
providing an opportunity for social and economic development with
temporary stability.
The Western Jin continued to adopt the system of nine ranks of
officials selected by appointed government officials. With countless
drawbacks, the system became the tool of the gentry's monopoly. The
emperor also declared economic privileges of officials and lords as
lawful.
During the short reign, the Western Jin underwent 16 years of wars
among eight princes known as the Disturbance of the Eight Princes,
which reflected the fierce conflicts that existed within the ruling
class.
The Western Jin Dynasty witnessed fast economic and cultural
development. This period also turned out many classics, such as the Mai
Jing (Pulse Classic) by the prestigious doctor Wang Shuhe; the Yu Gong
Map by geographer Pei Xiu; and San Guo Zhi (Records of the Three
Kingdoms) by Chen Shou. Apart from the publishing of literary classics,
the Xuan Xue School and Xian Xue School, which became popular during
the Three Kingdoms Period, also continued to spread.
In 311, the Hun army, led by Liu Cong, occupied Luo Yang, the Western
Jin capital, and took Emperor Huaidi prisoner. The Western Jin army
supported Emperor Mindi in assuming the throne in Chang'an. Five years
later, in 316, the Hun army, now led by Liu Yao, launched an attack on
Chang'an. Emperor Mindi gave up the city, which prompted the end of the
Western Jin Dynasty.