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The Tang Dynasty (AD618–690, 705–907) of China is widely regarded as the golden age of Chinese civilization. Poetry bloomed as composition of poetry was a required skill for those wishing to become imperial officials, and poetry contests amongst guests at banquets and courtiers were common. Famous poets like Li Bai and Du Fu were two examples of poets in this era. The Tang Dynasty poetry tradition became a golden standard in subsequent eras.
However, what I want most is a historical drama that covers the Middle Tang period (766—836), while the central government was in decline after the wide spread revolt and the rise of powerful war lords. This was the era for deadly factional disputes between government officials, bloody failed attempt for the Emperor to take back power from powerful eunuchs, clashes of ideas and looking for new hope.
The stake was high for remaining true of your ideals, and friends could be on opposite sides of politics. There were a lot of colourful and deeply flawed people with name recognition. Bai Juyi was a famous poet whose overt political idealism led to his downfall. His political enemies ruined his career and life with unfounded moral scandals. Yet he was lifelong friend with another famous poet Yuan Zhen, who was always on the winning side in politics and wrote a highly autobiographical novel how he was right to abandon his old lover and married a wife to help his career. Han Yu was ambitious and wanted to be known as the loyal proponent of Confucianism, yet he praised the merit of rival philosophy and stood up for his so many friends. These people deserved at least a mini-series.
However, what I want most is a historical drama that covers the Middle Tang period (766—836), while the central government was in decline after the wide spread revolt and the rise of powerful war lords. This was the era for deadly factional disputes between government officials, bloody failed attempt for the Emperor to take back power from powerful eunuchs, clashes of ideas and looking for new hope.
The stake was high for remaining true of your ideals, and friends could be on opposite sides of politics. There were a lot of colourful and deeply flawed people with name recognition. Bai Juyi was a famous poet whose overt political idealism led to his downfall. His political enemies ruined his career and life with unfounded moral scandals. Yet he was lifelong friend with another famous poet Yuan Zhen, who was always on the winning side in politics and wrote a highly autobiographical novel how he was right to abandon his old lover and married a wife to help his career. Han Yu was ambitious and wanted to be known as the loyal proponent of Confucianism, yet he praised the merit of rival philosophy and stood up for his so many friends. These people deserved at least a mini-series.
