While the Northern Expedition dies in the freezing mud of Shandong, the Taiping's second strike — the Western Expedition — turns its sights on the provinces they've already ridden through on the Yangtze, a kingdom to go with their new Heavenly Capital. But waiting for them in Hunan is a man unable to ride a horse, or command an army... who will nevertheless set about constructing their ultimate doom.
Time Period Covered:
May 1853 – February 1854 CE

Major Historical Figures:
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom:
Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King [1814–1864]
Hu Yiguang, commander of the Anhui column, Western Expedition
Lai Hanying, commander of the Jiangxi column, Western Expedition
Shi Dakai, the Wing King [1831–1863]
Li Xiucheng, future Loyal King [c. 1823–1864]
Qing Dynasty:
The Xianfeng Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Yinzhu) [r. 1850–1861]
Jiang Zhongyuan, governor of Anhui [1812–1854]
Zeng Guofan, founder of the Xiang Army [1811–1872]
Tang Jian, Neo-Confucian scholar and Zeng Guofan's mentor [1778–1861]

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.

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