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Hello and welcome to the history of China.

Episode 87, Femfatal.

Last time we concluded our run with Emperor Taizong and his unprecedented reign of

Gen Guang, resulting in massive territorial gains, domestic tranquility, and a rock-solid government. This was only slightly marred by the second

epic failure of China to invade Gogorio, and that Holker-Fuffle when the three of his sons tried

to kill him and each other to get to the throne.

Eh, details, details.

Regardless, with his death in the year 649, the throne of Tong passed to his ninth son, Lidze, who would ascend as Emperor Gao Zong.

Which I should note that like his father and grandfather before him was his temple name, not his

posthumous name, like most emperors we've come to know and love before the tongue.

You may recall from last episode that Li J. I. e. Gao Zhong was an odd choice indeed to have become the heir to the throne, much less the emperor

outright.

He was only tapped after all, after three of his elder brothers had either been executed or banished for treason, and then only reluctantly

agreed to by his father Taizong through the unrelenting arguments of his chief chancellor and

trusted confidant, Jang-Sung-Sung-Wuji.

Now Chancellor Jang-Sun is going to and trusted confidant, Jansun Wu Jansun will gee.

Now, Chancellor Jansun is going to be playing a significant role in the episode to come.

So let's just make the time to reintroduce him now.

He has earned his place in the highest echelons of the Imperial Court by playing

an instrumental role in the succession struggle at Shenmugate back in 626, the focus, as it were, of episode 83. Once his preferred candidate, Taizong was safely

nestled on the throne, he has been the following two decades and change, getting himself

...