The Chinese Campaign
I’m starting this thread to discuss everything we know so far about the Chinese campaign, both to build hype and excitement for the single-player content, and to see if there are any community requests for it.
That said: Let’s go to the first and only clue we have so far about the first DLC of 2026:
Chinese general going alone to war while being Crying by the people
Well: Does anyone know who is the general from the preview?
I already mentioned it on Discord, but I’m surprised that nothing has been said about it on the official forum yet.
I have my theories about who it could be, but it would be interesting to wait and see what the fandom thinks.
On another note, I’ll be posting updates on any other spoilers or hints about the campaign as it’s released next year. I also suppose the devs will be taking a break for the holidays, hehe.
Take care.
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I just wish there was one Chinese person in the studio who understands Chinese history, clothing, and armor. Age of Empires IV has made a lot of fictional and fantastical elements about China. This is completely foreign to Chinese people.
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Armor in the picture is consistent with Tang dynasty era armament.
That’s where I would start.
From the megathread for this announcement on reddit:
songyu495
I am Chinese, according to the picture of the announcement, I guess this campaign is based on the history of the Western Regions Frontier Command and the Guiyi Army of the Tang Dynasty. The picture is consistent with the ancient poem of the Tang Dynasty, “The desert smoke is straight, the long river is sunset yen”, and this will be the cavalry civilization, if there is a variant civilization that matches the campaign.
Still digging into it, but this theory seems very possible.
Honestly, I’d love to see a new “variant” for China or perhaps a complete rework for the Chinese and “Legacy of Zhu Xi”… or all of that at once.
There are many cool Dynasties for China that could have their own variant.
I sincerely hope for a pleasant surprise for the Chinese in 2026.
Definitely one of the missions of the future campaign will be the battle on the Talas River of the Tang Dynasty and the Abbasid Caliphate.
Yes, I thought the campaign was about the rise of the Ming (1351-1398), but if it’s about the rise of the Tang (618-907), it could be interesting since the saga has barely touched on the 7th century (you have Two Piles in 648 and the penultimate Yamato mission in 665, but little else)… It could have 3 missions in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) fighting against the Chinese, Turks (aka Ottomans), and Abbasids, then 3 missions in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) fighting against the Jin (aka Mongols), and finally 3 missions in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) against the Mongols, obviously…
The Rise of Tang (621-751):
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Battle of Hulao (621): Chinese vs. Chinese
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Tang Campaign against the Eastern Turks (629-630): Chinese vs. Turks (aka Ottomans)
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Battle of Talas (751): Chinese vs Abbasids
The Jin-Song Wars (1132-1161):
- Siege of De’an (1132) (first use of the fire lance): Chinese vs Chinese
- Battle of Yancheng (1140) (first major clash between Chinese and Jin): Chinese vs Jin (Mongols)
- Battle of Caishi (1161) (first use of trebuchets ships and gunpowder): Chinese vs Jin (Mongols)
The Ming Rebellions (1351-1399):
- Red Turban Rebellion (1351): Chinese vs Mongols
- Lake Poyang obviously (1363): Chinese vs Chinese
- Jingnan campaign (1399): Chinese vs Chinese
For us Chinese, this image should be Yue Fei. Because every single one of us knows and sings the song Loyalty to the Country (Jing Zhong Bao Guo)）—it’s a mandatory song we all learn during military training in school!!
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Yue Fei (1103–1142) was a legendary Chinese general and national hero of the Southern Song Dynasty. Famed for his military genius, personal loyalty, and fierce resistance against the invading Jurchen-led Jin Dynasty, he came to embody the ideal of “Jing Zhong Bao Guo” – “Serve the Country With Utmost Loyalty,” a phrase famously said to have been tattooed on his back by his mother.
He organized a highly disciplined and effective army, known as the “Yue Family Army,” whose soldiers followed a strict moral code. Under his command, they won several critical victories with the goal of reclaiming lost northern territories. However, his campaign was halted by the imperial court, which pursued a policy of appeasement. Yue Fei was falsely accused of treason, imprisoned, and executed in 1142.
His tragic death at the age of 39 solidified his status as a supreme symbol of patriotism, personal integrity, and sacrifice in Chinese culture. For centuries, he has been revered in folklore, temples, and popular media. The modern patriotic song “Jing Zhong Bao Guo” has further cemented his story as a foundational part of China’s national spirit and collective memory, making him an enduring icon of resilience and loyalty.
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I just realized that the Ranked season ends on a date in April.
They announced that the DLC would be in Spring of the Northern Hemisphere 2026, and this starts on March 20. Therefore we would have the DLC by April 2, at least that’s my theory.
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Sounds about right, but I’m hedging my bets on April 1st for maximum comedic value.
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