Rome fell. China reunified. Why?The answer isn't about barbarians, military strength, or Confucian values. It's about money—specifically, who controlled the land, taxes, and people.After both empires collapsed, a powerful aristocratic class emerged in each civilization. In Rome, they won. In China, the state fought back—and won.This is the story of China's "Wealth War" against its own 1%.⚔️ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:The Deep State Problem How aristocratic clans (Shih-zoo 士族) controlled 80%+ of China's land, taxes, and population—making centralized rule impossible. Sound familiar?Rome's Failure vs China's Success Why Roman emperors couldn't break the Senate and landowners, but Chinese dynasties found a way.The Three Weapons - Equal Field System (均田制): State reclaimed land ownership- Tax Reform: Forced the rich to pay their share- Three Chiefs System (三长制): Recaptured population control from clansThe North vs South BattleHow northern regimes successfully crushed aristocratic power while southern dynasties failed—and why this determined who would reunify China.🎯 KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:- What was China's "Deep State" in the 4th-6th centuries?- How did emperors destroy aristocratic clans without causing civil war?- Why couldn't Rome do the same thing?- What role did land, tax, and population control play in reunification?📊 THE HISTORICAL IMPACT:- Aristocratic clans controlled: 80%+ of land, most tax revenue, majority of population- Equal Field System: Redistributed land to peasants under state control- Result: Sui and Tang dynasties reunified China (Rome never reunified)💡 THE BRUTAL LESSON:Empires don't collapse just from external enemies. They collapse when internal elites capture too much wealth and power. China solved this problem. Rome didn't.The difference between reunification and permanent fragmentation? Destroying your own 1%.https://youtu.be/Jjr8OPMNTXo