Chapter 3: Taiben Kingdom

Though the former dynasty was powerful and split into three states, not all three were strong.

Qiwu’la prospered, but the Taiben treasury was endlessly empty.

People suffered bitterly and starved.

Invasion wiped them out — none survived.

Truly tragic.

After the division, inspired individuals vowed to create laws to preserve order.

Mountains and rivers, travelers and clouds — all fell within its rules.

In the 16th year of Tianyi (Qiwu’la’s reign title), Luka Luosi attempted legal reform to save the country.

He proclaimed that the world should have no law and people should be free — ending in failure.

His son Lounong understood the essence and instead established laws rather than reforming them.

At first unknown in outcome, the early Taiben Kingdom was chaotic and poorly ruled.

Seeing opportunity, Lounong set a pact: results will be seen in three years.

After two and a half years, new laws were completed, carved into stone pillars and titled The Pillar Code.

Lounong personally signed and practiced them, awakening public support.

The Pillar Code settled debt disputes, civil conflicts, fraud, job and power corruption, and all matters of public life.

People could add laws via a legislative council.

Punishments on the poor were reduced and many supported it.

When the king died, Lounong fell ill.

The people offered medicine and supported him to take the throne.

He refused, worsened, and died in the 68th year of Tianyi.

Before death, he left a successor hidden in a riddle.

None solved it and the successor was lost.

The new king opposed his philosophy, burned the riddle, and his remaining wisdom vanished.

The Taiben Kingdom was not a strong nation, yet Luka Luosi lit the path, and Lounong executed the duty and brought brightness.

Thus ancient texts say:

“The fall of Taiben was truly the tragedy of its era.”