#338 - Taiping 15: The Summer of 10,000 Years

The Taiping Army is riding high. Having finally broken two massive, three-year-long sieges over the course of a single summer, ultimate victory seems within their grasp. Yet, that taste of triumph acts like blood in the water. The lifting of the sieges removes the one thing that had been holding this fractured movement together: sheer external pressure. For three years, the East King has been rehearsing one demand: the same title as the Heavenly King. Absolute recognition, absolute parity - the promotion he believes he's duly owed. Now with the pressure off, he's willing to do anything to get it, even summon the voice of God Himself. Time Period Covered: Dec. 1853–Sep. 1856 CE Major Historical Figures: Taiping Heavenly Kingdom: Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King [1814–1864] Yang Xiuqing, the East King [c. 1821–1856] Wei Changhui, the North King [d. 1856] Qin Rigang, the Yan King [1821–1856] Shi Dakai, the Wing King [1831–1863] Xiao Chaogui, the West King [d. 1852] Feng Yunshan, the South King [d. 1852] Hu Yihuang, the deposed Yu King Qing Dynasty: Zeng Guofan, founder of the Xiang Army [1811–1872] Xiang Rong, Qing commander of the southern siege camp at Nanjing [d. 1856] Tuoming'a, Manchu commander at Yangzhou Major Sources Cited: Michael, Franz, and Chang Chung-li. The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents, Vol. I. Platt, Stephen R. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom. Spence, Jonathan D. God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan. Kuhn, Philip A. "The Taiping Rebellion." The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 10.