The early Jin dynasty refers to the period beginning with Sima Yan's establishment of the Western Jin in 266, followed by the conquest of Eastern Wu in 280, thereby unifying the Three Kingdoms. This ushered in the prosperous era known as the Taikang Reign. Yet the early Jin dynasty also sowed the seeds of division. To consolidate imperial authority, Sima Yan lavishly enfeoffed numerous princes of the same surname, thereby laying the groundwork for the subsequent ‘Rebellion of the Eight Princes’ that would tear at the heart of centralised power.