In this seventh episode of our series on the Rise of the Gok-Turks, we delve into Turkic history from 563 - 582 CE. Discover how Mukhan Khagan of the Gök-Türk Empire prepared for war against Northern Qi by collaborating with the Northern Zhou dynasty. Explore the strategic battles, alliances, and the historic marriage of a Turkic princess to Emperor Wen of the Zhou, who became Empress Ashina. Her role at the Zhou court and her impact on the Turk-Zhou alliance are also discussed. Listen now to uncover how a divine intervention changed the course of history, making her the first Turkic princess to become a Chinese Empress. 00:00:00: Introduction to Turkic history from 563 - 582 CE00:02:45: Mukhan Khagan's preparations for war against Northern Qi00:08:30: The strategic cities of Tianyuan and Pingyang00:12:15: Northern Qi Emperor Wucheng's counterattack00:17:50: Marriage proposal between the Turkic Khagan and Zhou Emperor00:24:00: Mukhan Khagan's refusal and subsequent divine intervention00:28:30: Turkic princess becomes Empress Ashina00:34:10: Life and influence of Empress Ashina in Zhou court00:40:55: The Sui Dynasty's rise and Empress Ashina's survival #Turkichistory #Gok-Turks #MukhanKhagan #NorthernQi #ZhouDynasty #EmpressAshina #ChineseEmpress #Turk-Zhoualliance #Tianyuan #Pingyang #NorthernDynasties #SuiDynasty #Chinesehistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices