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We
are the world's largest population. We descend from Yan Di and Huang
Di , the two mythical kings or chieftains who had ruled the
land 4,400 years ago. Among our 56
ethnic groups, the Han people stand out to make up 93.3% of
the most recent census statistics.
Yan Di allied with Huang Di in order to regain his lost territory
in lower Yellow River from Chi You, a leader of Jiuli, a people
from south China. Their combined strength proved advantageous for
both, and they formed a merger.
We further list three huang and five di among our proud and wise
ancestral leaders. They are revered similar to prophets in the Middle
Eastern religions. Three huang refer to Fu
Xi , Nu Wa, Shen Nong (Yan Di) while five di refer to Huang
Di, Zhuan Xiang, Di Ku, Tang Yao and Yu Shun.
Similar to Hebrew biblical accounts on tribal affairs, the Chinese
minorities came from splinter groups formed after royal edicts that
marked major events in history. Exiled leaders fathered the minor
tribes. According to Shi Ji by Sima
Qian, Gong Gong, Dou, San Miao and Gun offended Zhuan Yu and
were exiled upon Shun's request to north, south, west and east respectively.
Thus, Gong Gong became the ancestor of Di, Dou that of Man, San
Miao that of Rong and Gun that of Yi.
The tempered Chinese national characteristics emerged after three
subsequent dynasties: the Xia, the Shang, and the Zhou. The turmoil
endured by people during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring
States led to a common desire for a unified country.
Emperor
Qin Shi Huang ruled as the first emperor, with Han tribes forming
the nucleus of a united China. But the name Han is associated with
the Western Han Dynasty that came after the first emperor's reign.
Another unsettling period arrived with the Three Kingdoms, Western
and Eastern Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties. The five hu people
resettled in the Yellow River region. Then the Northern Wei reunified
the territories to bring about peace. About this time the various
minorities had tacitly acknowledged the dominance of Han people
and their way of life. The Chinese nation had finally emerged.
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