Golden Turtles: Difference between revisions
imported>Soranin m Fixing ref error |
imported>Sol Pacificus Doesn't seem like this is actually true. The timing for the events in the comics are a bit confusing for me atm, based on all the info. They might have compressed some events together. Looking more into it right now. |
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The Chinese name of the Golden Turtles, ''jīnguīdài'' (金龜袋), literally translates to 'gold turtle bag', referring directly to the pouches holding golden tortoise tokens which were used during the reign of Empress Regnant [[Wu Zetian]] as identification for officials of rank three and higher. These tokens in the shape of turtles were also cast in silver and bronze, which were issued to officials of rank four and five respectively. Upon seizing the throne, Empress Wu had changed the fish-shaped tokens previously used for the same purpose to that of a turtle design to symbolize the new era. In the same vein, those same fish tokens had in turn originated in | The Chinese name of the Golden Turtles, ''jīnguīdài'' (金龜袋), literally translates to 'gold turtle bag', referring directly to the pouches holding golden tortoise tokens which were used during the reign of Empress Regnant [[Wu Zetian]] as identification for officials of rank three and higher. These tokens in the shape of turtles were also cast in silver and bronze, which were issued to officials of rank four and five respectively. Upon seizing the throne, Empress Wu had changed the fish-shaped tokens previously used for the same purpose to that of a turtle design to symbolize the new era. In the same vein, those same fish tokens had in turn originated in a decree by the Tang founder {{wiki|Emperor Gaozu of Tang|Emperor Gaozu}} to replace an older design based on [[rabbit]]s.<ref name="Special 1">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty Special 1|Special 1]]</ref> | ||
After she was ousted in 705 and the Tang dynasty was restored, {{wiki|Emperor Zhongzong of Tang|Emperor Zhongzong}} immediately reverted the turtle badges to fish badges, and within the next five years, the entire turtle bag system was abolished. Nonetheless, the golden turtle lingered on as a symbol of high status, inspiring Chinese affiliates of the Order of the Ancients to adopt it as their code name. By 754, it had thoroughly cemented itself as their organization's avatar.<ref name="Special 1" /> | After she was ousted in 705 and the Tang dynasty was restored, {{wiki|Emperor Zhongzong of Tang|Emperor Zhongzong}} immediately reverted the turtle badges to fish badges, and within the next five years, the entire turtle bag system was abolished. Nonetheless, the golden turtle lingered on as a symbol of high status, inspiring Chinese affiliates of the Order of the Ancients to adopt it as their code name. By 754, it had thoroughly cemented itself as their organization's avatar.<ref name="Special 1" /> | ||
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Most notable of these Golden Turtle ministers was [[Yang Guozhong]], whose enmity with another Golden Turtle, the ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]], would eventually erupt into violent conflict.<ref name="Special 1" /> By the time the Tianbao (天寶) era neared its climax,<ref name="Dynasty 1">''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty 1|Chapter 1]]</ref> the oblivious and elderly Emperor had grown weary of governing and entrusted ever greater duties to Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]], such as in the promotion of officials, while also showering endless favours upon An Lushan, who never failed to ingratiate himself to him.<ref name="Dynasty 5">''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty 5|Chapter 5]]</ref> | Most notable of these Golden Turtle ministers was [[Yang Guozhong]], whose enmity with another Golden Turtle, the ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]], would eventually erupt into violent conflict.<ref name="Special 1" /> By the time the Tianbao (天寶) era neared its climax,<ref name="Dynasty 1">''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty 1|Chapter 1]]</ref> the oblivious and elderly Emperor had grown weary of governing and entrusted ever greater duties to Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]], such as in the promotion of officials, while also showering endless favours upon An Lushan, who never failed to ingratiate himself to him.<ref name="Dynasty 5">''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty 5|Chapter 5]]</ref> | ||
Although the two rivals' true allegiances were rigorously guarded secrets, their volatile feuds were the talk of even commoners.<ref name="Dynasty 2">''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty 2|Chapter 2]]</ref> Since one served as prime minister and the other was a semi-independent general guarding the northern frontier, they were able to avoid coming to blows for a time.<ref name="Dynasty 2" /> In the first month of Tianbao year 13 (754),<ref name="Special 1" /> however, Yang Guozhong outright warned the Emperor that Lushan was plotting rebellion and insisted that he summon the ''jiedushi'' to the imperial palace as a test. Guozhong believed that Lushan would not heed the summons, thereby proving his disloyalty, only for his nemesis to promptly return to Chang'an from the frontier with his army | Although the two rivals' true allegiances were rigorously guarded secrets, their volatile feuds were the talk of even commoners.<ref name="Dynasty 2">''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty 2|Chapter 2]]</ref> Since one served as prime minister and the other was a semi-independent general guarding the northern frontier, they were able to avoid coming to blows for a time.<ref name="Dynasty 2" /> In the first month of Tianbao year 13 (754),<ref name="Special 1" /> however, Yang Guozhong outright warned the Emperor that Lushan was plotting rebellion and insisted that he summon the ''jiedushi'' to the imperial palace as a test. Guozhong believed that Lushan would not heed the summons, thereby proving his disloyalty, only for his nemesis to promptly return to Chang'an from the frontier with his army.<ref name="Special 1" /><ref name="Dynasty 2" /> | ||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
Revision as of 01:41, 17 December 2020
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He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. |
The Golden Turtles (Chinese: 金龜袋) was a branch of the Order of the Ancients which had entrenched itself within the court of the Tang dynasty. So successful was their infiltration that they were able to ensure that their leader was always a chancellor, as was Yang Guozhong in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong.
Among their secret members was the jiedushi An Lushan, but his deep-seated rivalry with Yang Guozhong culminated in a violent schism in 754 and the formation of An's splinter group, the Yeluohe. Choosing to wage his power struggle in open battle, An Lushan dragged the entire nation into a catastrophic civil war in 755 which forced the intervention of the Order's archenemies, the Hidden Ones. By the war's end, both the Golden Turtles and Yeluohe had been decimated with their leaders assassinated.
Etymology
The Chinese name of the Golden Turtles, jīnguīdài (金龜袋), literally translates to 'gold turtle bag', referring directly to the pouches holding golden tortoise tokens which were used during the reign of Empress Regnant Wu Zetian as identification for officials of rank three and higher. These tokens in the shape of turtles were also cast in silver and bronze, which were issued to officials of rank four and five respectively. Upon seizing the throne, Empress Wu had changed the fish-shaped tokens previously used for the same purpose to that of a turtle design to symbolize the new era. In the same vein, those same fish tokens had in turn originated in a decree by the Tang founder Emperor Gaozu to replace an older design based on rabbits.[1]
After she was ousted in 705 and the Tang dynasty was restored, Emperor Zhongzong immediately reverted the turtle badges to fish badges, and within the next five years, the entire turtle bag system was abolished. Nonetheless, the golden turtle lingered on as a symbol of high status, inspiring Chinese affiliates of the Order of the Ancients to adopt it as their code name. By 754, it had thoroughly cemented itself as their organization's avatar.[1]
History
Fifty years after the death of Empress Wu Zetian,[1] the Golden Turtles were ascendant in the Tang court.[2] So embedded they were in the state apparatus that they were not only able to constantly secure their leader's appointment as a chancellor but conversely came to mandate by tradition that only a chancellor could be chosen to lead them.[2] The long reign of Emperor Xuanzong, while regarded as a peaceful golden age,[1][3] came under increasing control from behind-the-scenes by a series of prime ministers affiliated with this shadowy organization.[2]
Most notable of these Golden Turtle ministers was Yang Guozhong, whose enmity with another Golden Turtle, the jiedushi An Lushan, would eventually erupt into violent conflict.[1] By the time the Tianbao (天寶) era neared its climax,[3] the oblivious and elderly Emperor had grown weary of governing and entrusted ever greater duties to Chancellor Yang Guozhong, such as in the promotion of officials, while also showering endless favours upon An Lushan, who never failed to ingratiate himself to him.[4]
Although the two rivals' true allegiances were rigorously guarded secrets, their volatile feuds were the talk of even commoners.[5] Since one served as prime minister and the other was a semi-independent general guarding the northern frontier, they were able to avoid coming to blows for a time.[5] In the first month of Tianbao year 13 (754),[1] however, Yang Guozhong outright warned the Emperor that Lushan was plotting rebellion and insisted that he summon the jiedushi to the imperial palace as a test. Guozhong believed that Lushan would not heed the summons, thereby proving his disloyalty, only for his nemesis to promptly return to Chang'an from the frontier with his army.[1][5]
Appearances
References
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