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Hello and welcome to the show.

Hello and welcome to the history of China.

Episode 86, Family Matters.

We begin today in the Imperial Court of Emperor Tizong,

the second divine monarch of the great Tongue Empire Empire as he and his high officials hear the testimony of

a traitor and would be assassin. It is the earliest days of spring in the year 643, and the capital city is frozen.

Both in terms of the weather, since it would still be well frosted over, but even more so,

in shock, at what the man who stands in chains before the son of heaven

has just revealed. Not anything about his own crimes, which seemed to be without doubt, but rather because of what he has just revealed in an effort to save his own skin.

This man's name is Ghegan Chung-Gee, and he was, until his recent arrest, the personal bodyguard of the crowned prince himself, 24-year-old, the Chung-Tien.

But Guard Geogon had found himself swept up in and ultimately implicated in the ceaseless game of

thrones that was ever ongoing in 7th century Tang Imperial Court.

Not long before, another of Taizong's sons, the Prince of Chi, Li Yo, had the spring

prior risen up in rebellion against his own father and murdered the Tongs Secretary General. This little tantrum had been duly crushed and the Prince of Chie delivered Chichangon to face his own judgment.

In the end, Emperor Taizong had felt he had no choice but order that his son Liyo commit suicide

...