My name in my native tongue is 中国，which translates to "Middle Kingdom" in this language. Over the years that pass like a river over rocks, I have had many names, some good, some not. For a long time, I was the center of the world. From my success and suffering, I have learned, and failed to learn from my mistakes. I am a survivor of history, a witness to the peaks and valleys of civilization.
There were periods like the Tang Dynasty when I was the most cosmopolitan empire on earth. Representatives from lands near and far lived in my cities and enjoyed my wealth. My inventions, my silk and fine pottery, were far superior to goods produced anywhere else. The seas were explored in the Ming Dynasty, in which I landed in many barbarian countries. Unlike those after me, I did not conquer the foreign lands and kill the people who lived there. No, I was diplomatic and fair, never enslaving people in a religion they despised. It was undeniable that my writing system, culture and art were the best for thousands of years. My people learned to focus on essential goods, making them rich and successful. I was a mystical and mysterious land of beauty and wealth for a long, long time.
Times of conflict are frequent in my past, struggles and battles still etched upon my skin. The people died from floods and famine caused by cruel leaders and widespread corruption. Battles ensued when dynasties lost the Mandate of Heaven and were overthrown, times of destruction and death. The common man's sweat and tears built landmarks so popular for tourists to visit today. I can still recall when my body was divided into hundreds of pieces, only to be reunited with much blood split. There is no way for me to forget how my mind was shattered when contradicting opinions met angry men of too much power. In hopes their twisted dreams would come true, my people were led astray during desperate times. Nevertheless, those perverted dreams never became reality and somehow I was always able to overwhelm the attacks and find myself again. My past was not perfect, but it was still far greater than many others.
AN: 中国＝ "zhong guo" = China
Time periods: Tang Dynasty (golden age), Ming Dynasty (exploration/trading), implied Three Kingdoms/Warring States Period
This is a story with a bunch of short chapters, this one is basically background reading for more modern history. Let me know if there are any inaccuracies if you can find them!