In China, an Imperial Dynasty can rule only as long as the Mandate of Heaven allows. Such a mandate has never been permanent however, and weak rulers face famine, plagues, war, and banditry.
Almost without fail in such times, disaffected Chinese peasants mass in giant rebellious armies, fighting and dying in attempt to overthrow the old regime and install a new dynasty. If they succeed, they have inherited the Mandate of Heaven, and all the riches and honors that entails. If they fail, they will be tortured and put down like any other bandit. After all in China:

成者為王,敗者為寇: "The winner is king, the loser an outlaw."

In this episode we discuss 4 of the most famous rebellions, The Boxer, The Taiping, the Red Turban, and Li Zicheng's Rebellion.