"The Five Barbarians Uprising" refers to the period in the late Western Jin Dynasty when numerous nomadic ethnic groups from beyond the Great Wall, taking advantage of the internal strife of the Western Jin, known as the "Rebellion of the Eight Princes," occupied the northern regions of China. They successively established many non-Han regimes, forming a period of confrontation with the Eastern Jin in the south across the Yangtze River. The term "Hu" refers to foreigners or ethnic minorities of the north. The "Five Barbarians" primarily refer to the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Jie, Qiang, and Di, though the actual number far exceeded five.
During this period of chaos spanning over a century, the various northern ethnic groups intermingled with the Han people of the north, establishing dozens of states of varying strengths and sizes. Those that persisted for a longer time, possessed significant influence, and were recorded in historical texts are collectively referred to as the "Sixteen Kingdoms of the Five Barbarians."
When I was in middle school, studying the history of "The Five Barbarians Uprising," I found it quite peculiar.
Generally speaking, the rise and fall of dynasties in the Central Plains follow a cyclical pattern, clearly recorded in history. However, the historical cycles of some northern nomadic dynasties were not as apparent. They often rose suddenly and declined just as abruptly. The historical explanation is that these minority groups were nomadic peoples, heavily influenced by climate and with fluctuating populations. I find this viewpoint unconvincing. No matter how primitive, they were still human civilization; surely living people wouldn't be suffocated to death by urine? A great nation ruling half of Yan Xia's Central Plains, and it just disappears?
If we were to study history using Little Yama King's concepts of "Bai Ze" and "Shan Hai," then it would make sense.
The so-called Five Barbarians Uprising did not actually signify the flourishing of northern minority ethnic groups, but rather the ascendancy of the Shan Hai demon race. Their population increased dramatically, which led to a significant decline in the Han population of the Central Plains. Otherwise, if it were merely the establishment of numerous states by northern nomadic peoples, despite the wars, the fertile lands of the Central Plains would still exist, and whoever was emperor would still need the people to provide for them. It wouldn't have resulted in a two-thirds reduction in the Han population of northern Yan Xia, a loss of ten million people, within just over a hundred years.
Among these ten million people, some may have died in warfare, but I suspect the majority were "digested" by the ever-increasing population of Shan Hai demons in the north.
Such horrifying events would naturally not be recorded in historical texts, which only vaguely mention a certain ethnic group (the Jie) treating Han people as "two-legged sheep" to be eaten.
If my guess is correct, the later ability of the Han people to push back and regain control relied on the assistance of the Bai Ze demon race.
I have personally experienced the combat power of the demon race; ordinary humans are simply no match for them.
I even suspect that the other three ancient civilizations may have perished in a similar manner!
During the period of the Five Barbarians Uprising, the common people of the Central Plains undoubtedly suffered immensely. However, this did not cause them to abandon hope; they continued to strive to live. This is the traditional nature of the Yan Xia people, to persist even through extreme hardship. This is not only because of the heritage and culture left by their ancestors, but more importantly, due to an inner tenacity. If one were to put it grandly, this tenacity is "faith." Who says the Yan Xia people have no faith?
We believe in ourselves!
Little Yama King's subsequent narration indeed confirmed my judgment.
During the Rebellion of the Eight Princes, the Shan Hai demon race was already involved. Later, they launched a large-scale invasion of the Central Plains. The human allies, the "Bai Ze demon race," were driven to Jiangnan, a period historically referred to as the "Migration of the Gentry to the South," where they went into seclusion in the Jiangnan region to recover their strength.
After the Bai Ze demon race in Jiangnan gathered their forces, they crossed the river and advanced north, assisting Tuoba Tao of the Northern Wei in defeating the various sea demon states. This led to the nominal unification of the north. Despite their contributions, the Bai Ze demon race was feared by the northern Han regimes. Having been bullied by the Shan Hai demon race, they were cautiously expelled to the Six Garrisons of the Northwest.
Later, the Han people who had fought alongside the Bai Ze demon race, with the support of the Bai Ze demon race, rose up in the Six Garrisons of the Northwest, forming the powerful "Guanlong aristocratic group." This group influenced Yan Xia for several hundred years, and its most outstanding figure, Yang Jian, unified the north and south, establishing the Sui Dynasty...