Ye

Ye or Yecheng was an ancient Chinese city situated in Linzhang County, Handan of Hebei province, and adjacent to Anyang, Henan. It was initially constructed during the Spring and Autumn Period by Duke Huan of Qi, before becoming the possession of Wei state in the Warring States period. Moreover, as the Han dynasty began, Ye was designated as the center of Wei Commandery, rendering it into a significant economical and political center of China during the Three Kingdoms era and Northern Dynasties. In addition to that, in the final years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Ye was substantiated as the strategic headquarters of powerful military leaders Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Due to the years of conflicts destroying the core of Ye, Cao Cao initiated a massive reconstruction of the city planned in the pattern of an imperial center. His projects included the construction of drainage and irrigation canals, the erection ofHall of Civil Splendour which was to act as the meeting spot of the palace complex,and positioning of the Bronze Bird Terracein 210, which became a renowed poetry among Chinese. Cao Cao's contribution to the city of Ye was so remarkable that he alone, among all the rulers who governed this city prior and after, is remembered in the Chinese cultural reminiscence. In the forth century, noted leader Shi Le established Ye as the capital of his Later Zhao dynasty. Following which, Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei relocated his capital from Pingcheng to Luoyang to expand his influence in other areas. This decision led to rigid association between Xiaowen and his sinicized court and those who gravitated towards traditional Tuoba tribal ways. The disagreement cleared the way for Gao Huan, a key leader of the rebellion. Owing to the lack of assistance from Northern Wei, Gao Huan found himself at an advantage and quickly invaded Ye, developing it into a flourishing hub for the dwindling Northern Wei.

Location: Hebei

Source: Wikimedia