The Jin Dynasty: A History of China, PART ONE, takes you deep into the rise of the Jurchens, beginning with their earliest ancestor and the customs that shaped their world. From mysterious origins to the story of Hanpu, the man who became the Jurchens' founding figure, the book draws you into a time when small tribes struggled to survive, laying the roots of what would one day grow into a dynasty.

The narrative then moves to Jingzu Wugunai, the leader remembered for uniting clans and pushing the dream of statehood. His clever strategies against the powerful Liao empire show how the Jurchens learned to navigate politics as well as war. Through patience, ambition, and shrewd judgment, he set the foundation for what later generations would build upon.

You'll also meet figures like Helibo, who faced rebellion at home while trying to keep his tribe together, and watch how the Wanyan clan gradually subdued rivals in the northeast. The story of the Jurchens is never simple—it's full of betrayals, shifting alliances, and moments when everything could have collapsed. Yet against all odds, they pressed forward, until the dream of dominance began to look real.

With Aguda, the Taizu, the dream of statehood finally became reality. His rise marks the beginning of the Jin dynasty, the moment when the Jurchens stepped onto the stage of world history. From there, the dynasty surged in power, breaking the Liao, and later colliding with the mighty Song.

But this is not just a story of triumph. The pages also bring you close to dramatic rulers like the so-called "Mad Emperor", the ruthless Hai Ling who seized power, and the decision to move the capital to Yanjing—what we now call Beijing. These bold, and sometimes reckless, choices kept the Jin dynasty in motion and left marks on history that can still be felt today. Every chapter opens a new door, and once you step inside, you'll want to keep reading to see how far the Jurchens' ambition carried them.