Tang


 * Narrator/****Corrupt Person**: Alexis Zugel
 * Buddhist Monk/General Li Shi Min:** Edward Gabrielyan
 * Emperor Wu Zong/Young Student**: Donovan Rice
 * Trader/Wealthy Person**: Emery Reyna
 * Buyer/Confucius**: Shilo Clarke
 * Emperor Wu Zong's Assistant/18 Year Old Peasant**: Connor Bailey
 * 3 Generals**: Alexis Zugel, Shilo Clarke, Connor Bailey
 * 3 Peasant Rebellions**: Edward Gabrielyan, Emery Reyna, Donovan Rice

‍The Tang dynasty rose out of the Sui dynasty’s ruins in A.D. 618 after General Li Shi Min captured Changan and Luoyang. Li Shi Min's father, Li Yuan became the first emperor of the Tang dynasty until 626 when Li Shi Min, known as emperor Dai Zong, took the throne. During his reign, he sent the armies of the wealthy military aristocrats, who often started civil wars, to the northern border provinces and gave them inexperienced soldiers in order to prevent rebellions from the generals. They trained hard and expanded the Tang dynasty to the size of the Han Dynasty. Under Tang leadership, China had a golden age of achievements. ‍
 * Narrator/Alexis**:

(SCENE)


 * Trader**: Would you like to purchase any of these fine and exquisite items? We have silk, porcelain, jade, bronze, and tea!


 * Buyer**: Really? That sounds great! I'll buy some tea... (buys a bag of tea and takes a sip from cup given on the spot)...


 * Narrator/Alexis:** (while the two above share a cup of tea) Other achievements that made China excel during this time include woodblock printing, the magnetic compass, and improving the silk road.

(SCENE)


 * Wu Zhao**: We have to have rule over this extensive land, it's getting out of control. We need some type of system so we can have young, intelligent, and talented people who can help me do things that I don't seem to have time for.


 * Wu Zhao's assistant**: I just had an idea, why don't we start this system where we have different departments or bureaus, each with its own specific area of responsibility to help you rule this vast land?


 * Wu Zhao**: That's a great way to set up our bureaucracy.


 * Narrator/Alexis**: Besides having a well-organized bureaucracy, the Tang dynasty also excelled in painting and poetry. Tang artists stressed the beauty, power, harmony, and peace of nature. Poetry also reflected Daoist beliefs, concentrating on images of nature that inspired contemplation, or ‍deep thought ‍. Confucius's teachings also flourished but Tang emperors tried to banish Buddhism.

(SCENE)


 * ‍Monk ‍** : In order to have healthy relationships and peace in society, we must be respectful and know our roles.


 * Young Student**: ...and so this is why good behavior and proper ethics need to be enforced?


 * Monk**: Yes, young one, that is why we must enforce good behavior and proper ethics. This is also why you need to know your relationship with another person and practice the Middle Way.

(fade to the court, monk, adviser, and Emperor)


 * Adviser**: It's our custom to practice Buddhist beliefs, why can't you just leave him alone? He didn't cause rebellion on purpose.

(Emperor Wu Zong's adviser leaves)
 * Emperor Wu Zong**: It's not what he did, it's what he didn't do. By preaching the Buddhist nonsense, he not only causes chaos in my kingdom, but he fills my subjects' minds with ridiculous ideas leading them to rebel against me. NOW LEAVE, I'VE MADE MY CHOICE!

(Buddhist monk leaves)
 * Emperor Wu Zong**: You weren't by yourself in this act, you and many others that have who have taught this nonsense shall pay. Because of the damage you have done to my kingdom, all Buddhist monasteries and stupas shall be destroyed. LEAVE!


 * Narrato****r/Alexis**: Emperor Wu Zong hoped the Buddhist teachings would eventually die out, but they continued to be passed on in secret. Emperor Wu Zong also limited the power of the aristocracy by taking away their vast tracts of revenue-producing land and dividing the land as grants to peasants. This was called the "equal-field system, and it benefited the peasants.

(SCENE)


 * Wealthy Person**: Since you just turned 18, you now will receive 13 acres of land.


 * 18 Year Old** **Peasant**: Oh thank you, thank you, I will use my land to grow many crops.


 * Wealthy Person:** You are welcome--- though you are poor, you can use your land to become prosperous.

(SCENE)


 * 18 Year Old Peasant:** Where is my land? I'm supposed to be getting 13 acres of land today. I need it so I can start growing crops.


 * Corrupt Official:** (Evil Laugh) I'm keeping all the land for myself, I'm not going to give any land to those lowly peasants.


 * 18 Year Old Peasant:** Oh no! I'm not getting the land I need. I will never be able to be prosperous.


 * Narrator/Alexis:** Corrupt officials didn't always follow through with the land grants that they were supposed to give. This led to peasant rebellions causing the Tang dynasty to decline.

(SCENE)


 * Peasant Rebels**: We are done listening to your pathetic rules, we are taking matters into our own hands!


 * Generals**: (COMMANDING SOLDIERS/FIGHT BEGINS) Kill them! Kill them all!

(STAGE battle, voice over for transitions here)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Xuanzong_of_Tang

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