History of Kai Fa: The First Empire (1271 – 1527)

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Lo Imperial Seal in white jade, early XIV century

The Golden Age (1271 – 1378)
The Empire flourished and the court in Tom Yam became a renowned centre of arts, literature, philosophy and sciences. Agriculture expanded and many new lands were turned to cultivation, allowing a steep growth of the population. A strong army kept the country secure and imposed tributes to nearby lands.


Emperor Lo Sai during a summer court gathering on barges, 1414

The Late Era (1378 – 1515)
In 1378, Emperor Lo Nam, Char’s great-grandson died. After him, a succession of weak Emperors followed, while powerful Ministries became the true rulers of the country. Famines and plagues scourged the beginning of the XV century, and the ineffectual response of the court, combined with the frequent tax raised to cover the court lavish lifestyle, made resentment mount especially in the South.


The Battle of Dong Po, late XVI century

The Tearing Rebellion (1515-1527)
The Won dynasty of Tou Fu rebelled in 1515, when they imprisoned imperial envoys and declared the Emperor’s Mandate void. Most southern clans defected to the Won, and the following years were a chaotic affair of yearly raids and sieges on both edges of the Er Kwai river. In 1527, the two sides came to a final standoff near the village of Dong Po, just north of the river: Emperor Lo Son was killed in battle and its army routed. Before Won Ton and its rebels could march on Tom Yam, northern general Chow Mein staged a coup and hastily raised a new army, forcing Won to retreat back south of the river.