Downfall of the Dynasties Trivia Quiz

Answer: Zhao Gao shall serve as head regent and head the imperial court

Despite how rediculous it sounds, the court actually believed the will to be authentic, despite the fact it ordered the crown prince to commit suicide. It also ordered many powerful and important members of the court to also commit suicide, as they were political enemies of Zhao.

In fact, the only powerful leader of the court to survive was Zhao's only ally, the Prime Minister Li Si, who ended up getting framed for a crime and then being executed after becoming too much of a threat. Prince Huhai then made Zhao Gao his main advisor and allowed him to handle court affairs. Huhai would also be killed by Zhao eventually. Zhao himself was killed by a surviving relative of the Imperial Family, who was also later murdered.

Answer: Cao Jie

Cao Jie, who was warlord Cao Cao's daughter, had been sent to spy on Emperor Xian, who was forced to crown her empress. After Cao Cao ordered the execution of the emperor's previous wife, and their children, against the emperor's wishes, fully exposing his status as a puppet.

However, it is said the two may have actually been truly in love after a few years. Her father, Cao Cao, her half brother Cao Pi, and warlord Dong Zhuo all at one time ruled was "regent".

Answer: Sima Yi

Sima Yi was the last of the famous strategists of the time to die. His grandchildren eventually toppled all three kingdoms and become emperor of the Jin Dynasty.

Answer: He became obsessed with his First Consort, Yang Yuhuan, and spent many hours every day with her

Credited as being one of the four ancient beauties, Yang Yuhuan, also known as Yang Guifei, was said to have been able to put flowers to shame with her face. Obsessed with her, the Emperor refused to hold court and neglected his duties. Eventually, rebellion broke out, and while escaping from the capital, the Emperor's own guards demanded Yang be executed, threatening to join the rebellion if the Emperor refused, as they believed that those were the only options to ensure the nation's survival.

Answer: He forced the crown prince to succeed him and made himself "retired emperor", a title that was ironically ranked above Emperor

Not wanting to take responsibility, he forced his own son to become the new Emperor Qinzong, but did not want to give up power. As his new title, TaiShangHuang, actually was in a way ranked above emperor (depending on the situation), he still held actual power. Of course, the invading Jin Army easily saw through this and arrested both emperors.

However, Huizong was reportedly treated way worse than the other prisoners due to his incompetence, even in the eyes of his enemy.

Answer: He committed suicide with help from one of his subjects

Emperor Bing was only seven or eight when he died. By the end, the Song Dynasty had been reduced to a fleet of ships cruising in the South China Sea. During the Battle of Yamen, seeing their was no hope, the Prime Minister picked up the emperor and they jumped to their deaths. Many members of the imperial family, along with officials, also jumped, seeing the dynasty was doomed.

Answer: Portugal

Taiwan, also known as Formosa to the Portuguese, was at the time a Portuguese outpost. Koxinga decided to invade it, which led to the shocked governor quickly surrendering. Koxinga then decided to plan to invade the Spanish Philippians, but died before the invasion could take place. Zhu Shugui later committed suicide along with his servants and wives.

Answer: Shun

The Shun Dynasty was established by Li Zhicheng, but resulted in remnants of the Ming Army, under Wu Sangui, to open the Great Wall to the invading Manchu Qing Dynasty, which then crushed the Shun, avenging the Ming. However, the Qing Dynasty then made themselves the ruling power in China, though Ming Resistance continued for over half a century, if not longer.

Answer: Yuan Shikai

Despite being one of the key leaders in the rebellion against Qing and later president of China, Yuan Shikai ended up deciding to crown himself the Hongxian Emperor. However, his ambitions were cut short by his death in 1916.

Answer: He fled to the Japanese Embassy and became puppet emperor of Manchukuo

Puyi fled to the Japanese Embassy. After Japan annexed northern China, they formed the puppet state of Manchukuo, with Puyi as the powerless Kangde Emperor.