The China History Podcast

Ep. 352 | The History of Singapore (Part 4) Oct 27, 2024

Part 4 continues with the aftermath of the 1824 Treaty of London. John Crawfurd takes over from a disgraced William Farquhar as First Resident. Singapore commences its never-ending building and infrastructure process. The Straits Settlements are created in 1826. With a spike in labor demand and with slavery recently abolished, the East India Company comes up with a novel solution. Up in Johor, Daing Ibrahim takes over as the new Temenggong and becomes a ruler that the East India Company can work with. The majority Teochew and Hokkien communities start to organize around their own community leaders. Gutta-Percha is discovered and for the first time Singapore gets to surf a nice wave of prosperity as this raw material’s discovery coincides with a massive demand from a new technological innovation. Alongside all this growth in commerce emerges several secret societies who, like their overseas counterparts, provide a mixture of good and evil across Chinese society. Tin is discovered in 1848 in Perak State. Singapore gets a piece of this action as well. With the EIC’s fortunes sinking, Singapore’s leaders start to lobby Parliament in London for Crown Colony status and to scrape the despised East India Company management from the bottom of their shoe. Communal strife starts to break out with regularity. This will continue in various forms all the way into the 20th century. We close things out by presenting the life and career of William A. Pickering, an extraordinary person in his day.

I invite you to support me and my work by subscribing to my Patreon Page at https://www.patreon.com/c/TheChinaHistoryPodcast You’ll get all these episodes long before they’re released to the podcasting public. I also produce occasional bonus content. I don’t post too much to social media. But I am extremely active chit-chatting with Patreon members and CHP friends of the show all day and night on the Patreon site, on WeChat, WhatsApp, email, Signal, and a bunch of other platforms. Thanks for considering.

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Ep. 351 | The History of Singapore (Part 3) Oct 13, 2024

With Singapore formally established, we look at those first months and years. As soon as the document was signed, Raffles left the island and William Farquhar took over as First Resident. It would be hard to find a more capable person to manage what needed to get the new enterprise up and running. Taking advantage of his personal connections in Melaka and the political and technological dynamic of the time, Farquhar got the ball rolling in Singapore. The Dutch were outraged and plenty of fancy footwork and smooth talking needed to be done to avert a war. Singapore became an overnight sensation in the region. Many traders were attracted to Duty-Free trade. This was one reason the British East India Company wasn't willing to give in to the Dutch so fast. William Farquhar kept it all together and rose to the occasion at this most early period of Singapore's second incarnation. We'll look at the eyebrow-raising measures he took to turn on the government revenue taps and how this will all lead to his undoing. We also look at Farquhar's successor as First Resident, John Crawfurd. How he outfoxed The Temenggong Abdul Rahman and the Sultan Hussein Shah is also presented. We close with immigrants coming to Singapore in droves, soon outnumbering the local Malay populace. After peace with the Dutch was achieved in 1824, it was full speed ahead for Singapore. Four local entrepreneurs who also served as early community leaders are also introduced. These are Tan Tock Seng 陈笃生， Seah Eu Chin 佘有进, Naraina Pillai, and Syed Omar Al-Juneid.

You can support my work by subscribing to my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/TheChinaHistoryPodcast

Thank you for listening.

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Ep. 350 | The History of Singapore (Part 2) Sep 29, 2024

With the arrival of the Portuguese and their 1511 victory, the history of this region began to move in s new direction. The Portuguese and the Dutch rather ignored Singapore and focused their trade and colonizing efforts on the Melaka Coast and in Indonesia. The Johor Sultanate begins its early rise to prominence. The conflict between Britain and the Netherlands ends up having a major effect on the Malay Peninsula and led to the founding of Singapore in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. We'll take a brief look at his bio and how he ended up having such a profound impact on the earliest years of Singapore's colonial history. The life of William Farquhar is also introduced and the brewing conflict he would have with Raffles. The story of how these two men, along with Lord Hastings, worked out an agreement with the two key figures of the time, Sultan Hussein Shah and the Temenggong Abdul Rahman will be introduced at the end of the episode.

This episode has been available on Patreon since July. Please consider supporting me and get early access to everything: https://www.patreon.com/TheChinaHistoryPodcast

My sixth book just came out on Earnshaw Books. This one covers Chinese Sayings from the Zhou and Han Dynasty. Check it out here: https://earnshawbooks.com/product/chinese-sayings-book-1/

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Ep. 349 | The History of Singapore (Part 1) Sep 15, 2024

Requests to present the history of Singapore go back to 2010 or 2011. At long last, here's an easy-to-consume and digest overview of The Lion City. In Part 1 we'll look at the watered world of Southeast Asia and the Monsoon Winds that led to the earliest intra-Asian sea trade. And of course, the legendary 14th century founding of Singapore will be told. Sri Vijaya, Sang Nila Utama, Temasek, and the five kings of Singapura. The visit of Yuan Dynasty explorer Wang Dayuan will also be introduced as well as his early observations. We'll get as far as the fall of Singapura and the founding of the Sultanates of Melaka and later Johor. When the early 16th century dawns, the arrival of the Portuguese will put the trajectory of Singapore and Malaysian history in a new direction. We'll pick up next time and see how the arrival of the Dutch and British East India Companies start shaking things up in Southeast Asia. Although a lot of what's covered in Part 1 is only legend, one can easily see the history of this small island at the tip of the Malaysian Peninsula goes back far beyond the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles.

Patreon supporters are already on Part 6 of this series, not scheduled for release until November 24. Subscribe to my Patreon and earn my ever-lasting gratitude. And enjoy being the first ones to hear the latest episodes (and bonus material too).

https://www.patreon.com/TeacupMedia

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Chinese-Mexican History - Laszlo chats with Hugo Wong Sep 13, 2024

First off, let me apologize for the less-than-optimal audio quality. This is a very informative interview. And for those of you who missed my very old episode from 2013 or thereabouts covering this topic, this discussion will be a real eye-opener. The history of the Chinese immigrant experience in Mexico (and Latin America) is not that well known. Hugo's ancestors emigrated to Mexico from Guangdong back in the 19th century. One of them, Wong Fook Chun was a major figure in the history of those times and he had an interesting interaction with the Qing-era reformer Kang Youwei. I hope you'll suffer through the lousy audio and that you'll get a lot out of this episode. Chinese-Mexican history was once filled with tragedy and violence. Again, sorry about the audio quality. Here's a link to his book, "America's Lost Chinese: The Rise and Fall of a Migrant Family Dream": https://a.co/d/0Yh5LiZ

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Ep. 348 | Paper Sons and the Chinese Confessions Program Sep 01, 2024

This is surprisingly not very well-known and certainly wasn't taught in my US history classes. Here's a story for you that many might find hard to believe. Perhaps you're already familiar with the history of America's Chinese Paper Sons. Less known is the story of the 1957 Chinese Confessions Program. In this episode, we'll look back on the early to mid-20th century. First I'll present a general overview of San Francisco's Paper Sons and some of the history and culture that surrounded it. Then we can take another romp through Red Scare America in the 1950s and the 1957 Chinese Confessions Program. This one, I'm sure most of you never read about.

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Ep. 347 | The Grand Canal Aug 18, 2024

In this episode, I'm presenting a simple but still informative overview of not only the Grand Canal but also the bigger subject of canals in China. The history of the Grand Canal isn't one clean linear story of a structure built all at one time. Although it measures over a thousand miles long, much of that distance was pre-existing in the form of rivers and old canals that were joined together to form an uninterrupted passage. A lot of the academic papers I used to research this topic, despite water being the main topic, were as dry as the day is long. I tried to make it all nice and simple and easy to digest. This World Heritage Site is well-known to many but its history, perhaps less so.

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Laszlo chats with Scott Crawford about the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu, and Rome Aug 15, 2024

Here's another CHP Special Episode. Not too long ago I had the chance to chat with Yokohama-based Scott Crawford, author of "Silk Road Centurian", "The Han-Xiongnu Wars", and a new one coming out any day now (co-written with his wife Alexis Kossiakoff), "The Phoenix and the Firebird." Scott has also written several works of short fiction that have appeared in fantasy, mystery, and horror magazines and anthologies. We talked mostly about the Han Dynasty and two books he has written, one non-fiction and another a work of fiction, both set in that exciting time period.

Scott's Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BZTYTHHC/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=37c7279d-4be0-46f3-8d29-60771ed38fed

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The unlikely tale of Chinese slave, soldier and tycoon Jiang Zonghan Aug 11, 2024

Here's a reading of an article recently published in the South China Morning Post, written by travel writer David Leffman. On his most recent trip to Yunnan to work on his upcoming book on the 1875 Margary Affair, David had a chance encounter with a taxi driver who was a sixth-generation descendent of Jiang Zonghan, someone closely related to the little-known but rather consequential event that took place in February 1875 along the Yunnan-Myanmar border. Here's a link to the article. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3272812/who-built-first-bridge-over-yangtze-river-unlikely-tale-chinese-slave-soldier-and-tycoon-jiang

Website: https://www.davidleffman.com/

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Ep. 346 | The Hungry Ghost Festival Aug 04, 2024

This is the third time the history and traditions behind a Chinese holiday is being introduced. The history behind the Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival were both presented back in the days when I knew even less than I do now about how to podcast. The Hungry Ghost Festival goes by a number of names, mainly because it's one of those rare festivals that is celebrated by both Daoists and Buddhists. It's called the Zhōngyuán 中元， Qīyuèbàn 七月半, Yúlánpén 盂兰盆, and Ullambana Festival. Daoists and Buddhists have their own spin on the legends behind the Hungry Ghost Festival. But the main idea remains the same. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the gates of hell open up for all Hungry Ghosts to return to the world of the living and for the living to show them the respect and kindness they were denied in their living forms.

https://www.instagram.com/lahungryghostfest/

https://chssc.org/event/la-chinatown-hungry-ghost-festival/

https://lahungryghostfestival.com/

https://www.micahhuangmusic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/hungryghostnote/

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Ep. 345 | Howqua Jul 21, 2024

Once dubbed "the richest man in the world" back in his day, the first half of the 19th century, Wu Bingjian 伍秉鉴 was a leading figure in the pre-Opium War world of foreign trade. He's best known as someone who epitomized the "bad old days" of The Canton System. He's a well-known name from this period in Chinese history. but like many prominent names, little is known about his life story. He was quite a fascinating character in his day.

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Laszlo discusses historical novels with author, Janie Chang Jul 14, 2024

It must have been three or four years ago that I started bouncing this idea off Janie about a discussion regarding historical fiction rooted in Chinese history. Janie, being a successful writer of this genre, was perfect to have this discussion. Today the historical fiction genre is quite substantial and new authors are publishing new content online and in print every day. Many of these novels are set against the backdrop of Chinese history (in China or Overseas). The way historical novelists present this history to life can be very engaging and relatable. I hope you enjoy this CHP Special episode as much as I did. This is such a huge topic to discuss

Janie's list of books & Buy links at her website: https://janiechang.com/books/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanieChangWriter | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janiechang33/

TIME Magazine article: The Risky Journey That Saved One of China’s Greatest Literary Treasures: https://time.com/5852229/saving-chinese-encyclopedia/

RACE THE RISING SUN: A CHINESE UNIVERSITY’S EXODUS DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR by Chiao-Min Hsieh and Jean Kan Hsieh https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/race-the-rising-sun-chiao-min-hsieh/1123966361 or https://www.amazon.com/Race-Rising-Sun-Chinese-Universitys/dp/0761841482

TEACHING IN WARTIME CHINA: A PHOTO MEMOIR 1937 – 1939 by Edward Gulick: https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Wartime-China-Photo-Memoir-1937-1939/dp/0870239120

Amitav Ghosh – Opium War Trilogy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibis_trilogy https://amitavghosh.com/

Lisa See Author Page -- https://lisasee.com/

Yangsze Choo -- https://yschoo.com/about/

Weina Dai Randel -- https://weinarandel.com/

Barry Hughart series -- https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/barry-hughart/

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Ep. 344 | James Hong Jul 07, 2024

With the 18-part History of Chinese Philosophy series finally out of the way, we're back with all new CHP content. Here's one that introduces the life of one of my favorite Hollywood legends, Mr. James Hong. He's someone with a great Hollywood story who thrived as an actor, despite all the well-known challenges faced by Asian American artists throughout the Golden Age of Hollywood. This episode looks at his life and work. To call him a prolific actor and voiceover artist is quite an understatement. James Hong, 壽比南山！

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S9E10 | Finished behind the last place guy Jun 30, 2024

Firstly, hats off to Emma and her 团队 at the CYZ for all their hard work, all season-long. We close out the season 9 with an amusing story from a source, as yet never featured on this long-running educational program, called the Guòtínglù 过庭录. The author was Song literary figure Fàn Gōngchēng 范公偁 who had the misfortune to be born during the exact time when the Northern Song ended and the Southern Song began. In this tale, our young hero Sūn Shān 孙山 heads off to the capital to take the imperial exam. Another villager tagged along who also registered to take the test. One passed the test and the other was Míng Luò Sūn Shān 名落孙山. It's a nice little story infused with some of the best of Chinese culture and a dollop of human decency. That's it for Season 9. I may post a few director's cuts of previous CSP episodes during the off-season. All these CSP episodes will soon be published in the Summer catalog of Earnshaw Books. There will be vocabulary lists, tone marks, and characters. Just sayin. Thanks, everyone and drink plenty of water this summer. Keep yourself hydrated!

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 18) Jun 30, 2024

For this 18th and final episode in the series, we'll focus on the rival philosophies of Lu Xiangshan 陆象山 and Zhu Xi 朱熹。 We'll also look at more of the philosophy of Wang Yangming. Then we'll end it with a few loose ends and mentions of The Five Elements and Zou Yan’s 邹衍 Alchemy. I'll also recommend a book called “The Path.”

My deepest thanks to all of you who endured all 18 episodes. I hope you found that it was useful and beneficial for your own further study of Chinese Philosophy. Onward to all new material next time.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 17) Jun 23, 2024

We're almost at the end. We continue on in Part 17 with Zhu Xi and his philosophy. There will be more discussion about Qi, Han Studies (Han Xue) and the pushback against Neo Confucianism. We begin looking at the final philosopher in this series, Wang Shouren (a.k.a. Wang Yangming). Then we look at the primary difference between the Cheng-Zhu School vs. the Lu-Wang School.

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S9E09 | First Strike Jun 16, 2024

Season 9 is starting to wind down. For the ninth chengyu of the season, we take Sima Qian's "Record of the Grand Historian" and open to the chapter on Xiang Yu. This time we look at the story of Xiān Fā Zhì Rén 先发制人. In this well-known story from the fall of the Qin Dynasty, we see Xiang Yu and his uncle Xiang Liang seizing the day and the hour to attack Qin forces and bring the dynasty to an end. But before they do that, they first weigh their options by talking with the governor of a local commandery. After one short meeting with this guy, Xiang Liang decides not to wait to see what happens next. He realized 先发制人.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 16) Jun 16, 2024

We'll finish off the Five Founders of Neo Confucianism with the last two, the Cheng Brothers: Cheng Hao 程颢 and Cheng Yi 程颐. Then we'll explore Neo Confucianism through the life of Lu Jiuyuan 陆九渊, also known as Lu Xiangshan 陆象山. and Xin Xue 心学, the School of the Mind. Neo Confucianism also gets a new name: Song Xue 宋学 o Song Studies. We'll also introduce Lu Xiangshan's biggest rival in his day and one of the giants of Confucian philosophy, Zhu Xi 朱熹. In the next episode, we'll examine the life and thought of Zhu Xi.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 15) Jun 09, 2024

In this episode we begin our look at Neo Confucianism. In English, we called it that. But in Chinese it was referred to in other ways, most commonly as Sòngxué 宋学 (Song Studies) since the foundation was poured during this dynasty. The concept of Qi 气 will also be discussed. Then we'll head straight to The Five Founders of Neo Confucianism: Zhou Dunyi 周敦颐, Zhou Dunyi’s Taiji Tu 太极图 Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate, Shao Yong 邵雍 and Zhang Zai, Cheng Yi 程颐, Cheng Hao 程颢, 张载, Yin and Yang, the Five Elements and the Five Constant Virtues. A lot to cover. Enjoy!

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Introducing "Empires-An Asian Business Podcast" Jun 08, 2024

For the third time on the CHP, I'm featuring another episode from Empires-An Asian Business Podcast, this time featuring India's watch and jewelry giant, Titan. Empires, from Singapore's 1UpMedia is one of the top shows in that region that explores some of the biggest business empires in Asia and the founders who built them. This time Empires features the story of Xerxes Desai and the Titan Company Ltd. They manufacture fashion accessories like jewelry, watches, eyecare, fragrances, fashion accessories, and Indian dress wear. The Jewelry division is the largest contributor to the group, making up nearly 80% of the business, followed by Watches and Wearables at 8-9%. Titan's products are sold through a combination of direct sales and franchising, with nearly 3,000 stores across over 400 towns in India, covering a retail space equivalent to about 60 football fields.

Check out Empires on your favorite podcast app. There are so many great podcast shows coming out of Asia. And this is one of them. Enjoy!

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/titan-in-about-time-1-5/id1674467595?i=1000657648597

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5RFFgeGbcpMjWdjNAzhT0l?si=fb96ba282b964a4f

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S9E08 | Owned! Jun 02, 2024

For our eighth CSP offering this season, we open up the Book of Han once again and hear the story behind Jiāo Bīng Bì Bài 骄兵必败. It doesn't always happen this way but the timeline of history is filled with examples of more powerful military forces being defeated on the field of battle by their weaker opponent. Arrogant soldiers must be defeated. Look what happened in Vietnam between 1954 and 1975. When you look into it, even today in our own time, Jiāo bīng bì bài is still happening. On a geopolitical level, this must be one of the hardest lessons to learn. More pugnacious world leaders should consult the Book of Han and ponder these words. Enjoy!

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 14) Jun 02, 2024

We pick up with the second part of this overview of Daoism with Zhuangzi and his beloved book, "The Zhuangzi." We'll also move beyond Laozi and Zhuangzi and take a look at the rise of Fangshi’s 方士 in society, Daoist Thought and Religion, Xuanxue Dark Learning 玄学, Guo Xiang 郭襄, Xiang Xiu 向秀, and the compilation of the Daozang 道藏. I hope this basic overview gives some of you a good jumping-off point to explore more about Daoism the philosophy 道家 and Daoism, the religion 道教. Enjoy!

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 13) May 26, 2024

We've already heard about Confucianism, The Hundred Schools, and the Yi Jing. In this episode, we look at Daoism. The life of Lao Tzu (Laozi) will be introduced along with the book he probably never wrote but which is ascribed to him anyway. This is the Tao Te Ching or Dao De Jing. Laozi was quite a character and by telling his story, it will give you the fundamentals to explore on your own what this philosophic thought is all about. We'll look at the Daoist concept of Wu Wei 无为 and the art of quiescence. We'll close with one of the earliest and greatest interpreters of the Daodejing, Wang Bi. In the History of Chinese Philosophy Part 13, we'll start looking at Zhuangzi and his classic book.

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S9E07 | You Can Get it if You Really Want (But you must try) May 19, 2024

Here's another well-worn favorite from the long list of great chengyu's: 磨杵成针 Mó Chǔ Chéng Zhén. The story behind this Chinese Saying stars none other than (one of China's greatest poets) Li Bai. As a youngster, Li Bai chanced upon an old woman, surnamed Wu, who was intent on accomplishing a seemingly impossible (in Li Bai's eyes) task. Don't let any naysayers deter you. Don't fear the impossible. Listen to this quick story and maybe acquire a little bit of inspiration in what you're trying to accomplish. Thanks everyone for listening.

If you'd like to donate to the show, you can at: https://teacup.media/support

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 12) May 19, 2024

The introduction to the Yi Jing (I Ching) The Book of Changes continues into the Han Dynasty. We'll see how The Yi Jing is grouped with the Five Classics 五经 and how the discoveries at Mawangdui shook things up a little as far as Yi Jing scholarship went. Then we'll try and decipher Confucius's Ten Wings. Then we'll close with an intro to the practical usage of the Yi Jing and how it has been rediscovered and embraced in the West.

You can buy the two books of the History of Chinese Philosophy series here:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Laszlo-Montgomery/author/B0C8B4MMZS?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1715963841&sr=8-2&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 11) May 12, 2024

In this Part 11 episode, we begin introducing the content found in Book 2 of the History of Chiense Philosophy, available wherever fine books are sold. We start with an introduction to the Yi Jing (I Ching), The Book of Changes, or the Changes of Zhou. We'll look at the Yi Jing's earliest beginnings, and the main characters associated with its authorship: Fu Xi, Yu the Great, and King Wen of Zhou. Then we'll finish off with an explanation of the Trigrams, Hexagrams and the development of the Yi Jing over time, including the addition of the “Ten Wings” of Confucius

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S9E06 | The First Cut is the Deepest May 05, 2024

Once again, as a regular feature to the CHP, I'm including the latest Chinese Sayings Podcast offering. This one may be a bit of a departure from the average CSP episode. The Chinese Saying for this time is Jiǎn Bú Duàn, Lǐ Hái Luàn-剪不断理还乱. Many Chinese poetry lovers and aficionados may already be familiar with this line from the 10th-century poem 相见欢. Today's CSP offering is more of a history lesson than an introduction to a chengyu but it's worth it to hear it out to the end. The star of this episode is the final ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty. Like his kindred spirit emperor Huizong of the Northern Song, Li Yu 李煜 of Southern Tang wasn't much of a ruler. But what he lacked in leadership ability he made up for it with his great literary skills, especially where cí 词 poetry was concerned.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 10) May 05, 2024

Among the many changes happening in China towards the end of the Han Dynasty was a rise in the popularity of Buddhism. Rivalries began to arise among the three religions as they jockeyed for positions in the halls of power. The seeds of Neo-Confucianism are planted by Tang scholar-officials: Han Yu, Li Ao, and Liu Zongyuan. We also look at the Confucian Daotong Lineage.

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S9E05 | Had enough yet? Apr 28, 2024

I forgot to upload this one to the CHP feed last week. 不好意思. Here's a good one from the Three Kingdoms Era in which we feature the famous story of Meng Huo, Zhuge Liang, and Qī Qín Mèng Huò 七擒孟获. Some people just can't accept defeat but in the end, they bow to the inevitable. Cao Pi of Wei thought he'd have some fun and employed Meng Huo to harass his enemy in the Kingdom of Han. That didn't go as planned. But Zhuge Liang sure seemed to enjoy it.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 9) Apr 28, 2024

Like James Dean, Confucius was much bigger in death than he was in his own lifetime. It wasn't until the Han Dynasty that Confucianism enjoyed a major triumph. This time we'll look at Dong Zhongshu who was so consequential in tying Confucianism and the imperial government into one system. We'll also look at Sima Tan (father of Sima Qian) and the Six Schools, as well as the first explainers of Confucianism: Liu Xin, Wang Chong, and Yang Xiong. I hope you're enjoying this series. Nine more episodes to go. We still have the Yi Jing (Book of Changes), Daoisim, and Song Neo-Confucianism to go yet.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 8) Apr 21, 2024

We've already explored the Ru School of Philosophy and the thought of Confucius, Mengzi and Xunzi. This time we look at Legalism and the most important philosophers of this school of thought. We'll look at the lives of Shang Yang, Shen Buhai, Han Fei, and Li Si and how they embraced this controversial political philosophy.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 7) Apr 17, 2024

This episode will focus on the life of Mengzi and his philosophy. We'll also introduce Mengzi's legendary mother. Then we'll finish off with another Confucianist great from this era, Xunzi 荀子.

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Jin Yong and the Wuxia genre. Laszlo chats with author Alice Poon Apr 14, 2024

I had the great pleasure to interview fellow Earnshaw Books author, Alice Poon recently. The occasion was the official release date of her new book, "The Earthly Blaze" (links below). We first discussed the life and work of Zha Liangyong, also known as Louis Cha. But he is more widely known by his pen name, Jin Yong, whose novels have been read and enjoyed by countless numbers of readers around the world. While I had Alice in the studio I also got her to talk about the greater Wuxia 武侠 genre of Chinese fiction and how it has been received in popular culture.

The Earthly Blaze Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Earthly-Blaze-Sword-Maiden-Moon/dp/9888843680/

The Earthly Blaze BN Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-earthly-blaze-alice-poon/1144936000

The Earthly Blaze at Earnshaw Books: https://earnshawbooks.com/product/the-earthly-blaze/

Alice's Blog: https://alicewaihanpoon.blogspot.com/

A nice recommended resource for further reading about Jin Yong and Wuxia: https://wuxiasociety.com/jin-yong-novels/

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S9E04 | Be like Kong Rong Apr 07, 2024

This Chinese Saying, or at least the story, is rather well-known. The story of young Kong Rong and the bowl of pears. Kǒng Róng Ràng Lí 孔融让梨. This perennial children's favorite has a nice moral lesson to teach. When you see young children exhibiting generosity and kindness, many might recall these kids were just like Kong Rong back in the late 2nd Century.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 6) Apr 07, 2024

This time around we will explore the other major Ru philosophers who established rival schools of thought, including Mozi 墨子. Then we'll explore the early life of Mengzi 孟子 (a.k.a. Mencius) and what he meant to Confucianism.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 5) Mar 31, 2024

This time we move beyond Confucius to look at some of the other schools of thought that contended with each other during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Zhou Dynasty. This included the School of Names and the Sophists, featuring an amusing story about Deng Xi. We also see how the Confucian classics became a pathway to a career in the government.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 4) Mar 24, 2024

The story of Confucius and what he taught continues with an introduction to his disciples. We also look at Confucian core beliefs as well as selected quotes from the Analects.

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S9E03 | Please allow me to introduce myself Mar 24, 2024

Sima Qian strikes again. This time around we look at the well-known saying, Máo Suì Zì Jiàn 毛遂自荐. I tend to favor those 成语's from the Warring States Period. This one concerns the particularly volatile time in the Warring States during the reign of the aggressive and pugnacious Qin King Zhaoxiang. After a disastrous defeat at Changping in 260 BC, the State of Zhao had to seek urgent assistance from Chu. In this familiar story, we see how Mao Sui, at the time, no one of consequence, steps up to offer his help during a dark hour for Zhao. His value is doubted but Mao Sui proved them wrong.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 3) Mar 17, 2024

In this episode, we'll take a look at the early life of Confucius and his service to the State of Lu. We'll also look at a few stories from his life, including the legend of when Confucius met Laozi. The Great Sage’s reflections on the ideal ruler will also be examined, and the values he stood for that comprised the core of Confucian ideology.

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S9E02 | R-E-S-P-E-C-T Mar 10, 2024

This week's Chinese Saying is another good and respectable one that comes to us compliments of the Book of Song. It concerns the Northern Song official and literatus Yang Shi. His two main teachers were the famous Cheng Brothers, Cheng Hao 程颢 and Cheng Yi 程颐. Those two were giants in Neo-Confucian philosophy which flourished during the Song. This episode features Chéng Mén Lì Xuě 程门立雪. It's a story of respect and reverence for those teachers who had a profound effect on the direction of our lives. "Standing in the snow in front of the Cheng's gate." This is another in a very long line of stories that would feel right at home in the "Made Me Smile" subreddit. For anyone who has one or more teachers who made a positive difference in their life, this is a good 成语 to describe your feelings.

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 2) Mar 10, 2024

This time we will look at some pre-Confucian philosophy during the Zhou Dynasty. Philosophers such as the little-known Yuzi 鬻子 will be introduced. Then we will look at Guan Zhong 管仲 and the concept of the Chinese Gentleman, or Junzi 君子. The rise of the Knights Errant 武侠 and their association with the Ru School 儒家 will also be presented. Then we will look at Duke Huan of Qi and his role as the first great benefactor to scholars and his sponsorship of the Jixia Academy.

Transcripts to all eighteen episodes are available on Amazon, Barnes-Noble, and Earnshaw Books. Below are links if you're interested.

Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/ahw3oWq

Earnshaw Books Link: https://earnshawbooks.com/product/the-history-of-chinese-philosophy-book-1/

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Laszlo Chats with Kaiser Kuo Mar 07, 2024

Just in time for Kaiser's birthday today, March 7th, here's a recording of a chat we had a couple of days ago. Nothing too heavy. Laszlo invited Kaiser on to the CHP for a friendly, light-hearted, and respectful conversation about the many merits of Chinese history. Happy Birthday Kaiser, 寿比南山!

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The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 1) Mar 03, 2024

Back in 2017, I produced a nine-part series on the history of Chinese philosophy. These were once episodes CHP-184 to 192. In 2021, I removed this series from the CHP lineup of shows and published it as an online course. Since last year the History of Chinese Philosophy series has only been available on my Patreon and CHP Premium. What you're listening to here is an updated and new recording from what first came out seven years ago.

In the first of 18 episodes that will be covered in this series, we look at Chinese Philosophy’s Ancient Beginnings and early Western understanding of Chinese Philosophy. The lives of the ancient Chinese sage kings will also be explored and why some philosophers held them up as role models for society. We will also look at Karl Jaspers's Theory of the Axial Age. For these first ten episodes, the focus will be on pre-Confucian and Confucian philosophers, Legalism, and how Confucianism developed up to the Tang Dynasty.

Transcripts to all eighteen episodes are available on Amazon, Barnes Noble, and at Earnshaw Books. Below are links if you're interested.

Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/ahw3oWq

Earnshaw Books Link: https://earnshawbooks.com/product/the-history-of-chinese-philosophy-book-1/

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S9E01 | The Truth Always Gets Out Feb 25, 2024

For the Season 9 opener, we bring you a good one that takes place in the early years of the Southern Song Dynasty. Qin Hui, the reviled chancellor of Emperor Gaozong is back again, starring in another Chinese Saying, inspired by his historic perfidy. He conspired with his wife, Lady Wang, to have the great hero Yue Fei rubbed out. Their careful conspiracy, discussed in the utmost secrecy in a private spot in their residence, was somehow discovered. This is the story behind Dōng Chuāng Shì Fā 东窗事发.

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Ep. 343 | The History of Clocks and Timekeeping in China Feb 22, 2024

This is an old topic I thought I'd present now to coincide with the recent release of the interview with the curators of "Clockwork Treasures From China's Forbidden City. Usually, I release new shows on Sundays at 5 AM L.A. Time. Since I'll be launching the first episode of Season 9 of the Chinese Sayings Podcast this Sunday, I figured I'd release this one Thursday, fresh on the heels of the interview. This is a quick and easy episode that traces the beginnings of timekeeping in China and will survey a few of the most notable horologists from Chinese history from the Han to the Qing Dynasties. The achievements of Zhang Heng, Yi Xing, Zhang Sixun, Su Song, and Zhan Xiyuan will be examined. Then we'll finish off with the arrival of the Jesuits and the zimingzhong 自鸣钟 clocks they brought with them. Thanks a bunch for listening.

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Clockwork Treasures from China's Forbidden City Feb 18, 2024

After hearing me talk about it for the longest time now, here's the interview with Tilly Blyth and Abbie MacKinnon at The London Science Museum. We discussed the Zimingzhong: Clockwork Treasures From China's Forbidden City that opened on February 1, 2024. The show will run until June 2, 2024.

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Ep. 342 | China, East Africa, and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Feb 11, 2024

Happy Year of the Dragon, 新年快乐，龙年大吉! Just in time for the Lunar New Year here's, here's a look back at the 1960s when Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the nation of Tanzania, and Mao's China were fully engaged and setting the pace for future Sino-African Relations.

This episode is useful in gaining a little context for today's China-Africa big picture. China's relationship with most African nations goes back to 1955. In this episode, the focus will be on PRC-Tanzania relations but from this relationship you can get a halfway decent big picture of the dynamic back in the Mao era. I hope you enjoy it.

I'm back from London, all tanned and rested. Be looking for the interview with Tilly Blyth and Abbie MacKinnon recorded lived at the London Science Museum.

The China Global South Project

https://chinaglobalsouth.com/

Clockwork Treasures from China's Forbidden City

https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/zimingzhong

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Ep. 341 | The History of Chinese Medicine (Part 5) Jan 21, 2024

In this Part 5 episode, we'll look at the history of Chinese medicine during the Ming and Qing, as well as all the major works that came out of that period. There will be a spotlight on Li Shizhen and his Bencao Gangmu Compendium of Materia Medica. He's one of the most important figures in Chinese medicine going back to the beginning. Many other big names will be introduced: Wang Kentang, Chen Sicheng, Yang Jizhou, Wang Ji, Jiang Guan, Zhang Jiebin, and Li Zhongzi. Better download the Terms from this Episode pdf at the website. Thanks so much for listening. I know this was a rough series to get through.

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Bonus Episode, An old favorite of Laszlo's Jan 07, 2024

I wouldn't technically call this a Bonus Episode. We're in between seasons right now. And while Laszlo and Emma are busy brainstorming the chengyu lineup for Season 9, here's a re-recording of one of Laszlo's all-time favorite episodes from the seven-year history of the CSP. How can anyone forget Mr. Nanguo, 南郭先生, who posed as a musician for three years without knowing how to play his instrument? He was a Làn Yú Chōng Shù 滥竽充数. He got the gig because the band only needed one more musician. And it didn't matter who it was. Mr. Nanguo was indiscriminately chosen just to make up the required number. A great story and it comes from the Han Feizi. Season 9 should start, hopefully, by the time the Year of the Dragon rolls around on 2/10/2024. Thanks, everyone. I hope you enjoy this Chinese Saying as much as I do.

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Ep. 340 | The History of Chinese Medicine (Part 4) Dec 31, 2023

For the 2024 Year-End Closing episode, we continue on with the History of Chinese Medicine during the Sòng. Bi Sheng started a revolution in book printing with his invention of movable type printing. This led to an explosion of new printed titles and wider access to medical texts among the general (urban) populace. During the Song, it became downright respectable to enter the medical profession. Many young people aspiring for a career in officialdom, looked to a career in medicine as either an alternative to working in the government or something to do in addition to serving the emperor. Many advances were made in forensic medicine, pediatrics, and healthy nutrition. And with all the new knowledge and acquisition of new knowledge through interaction with physicians from other cultures, the understanding of human health and how the body operates kept inching forward. In the field of pharmacology, there were also many advances, particularly in the publication of new materia medica texts.

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Bonus CSP Episode featuring Emma in the narrator's seat Dec 17, 2023

As promised and advertised, to cap off another winning season of the Chinese Sayings Podcast, we're proud to feature none other than our very own Emma, presenting a special bonus episode. This time we look at another good one: 鹬蚌相争, 渔翁得利. Yù bàng xiāng zhēng, Yú wēng dé lì. This one comes from the Strategies of the Warring States. It tells the story of the Clam, the Sandpiper, and the fisherman, amidst the backdrop of the early 3rd century BC. This chengyu, like many presented before in the CSP, has plenty of relevance in today's world. Thanks, Emma for all your help this season

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Ep. 339 | The History of Chinese Medicine (Part 3) Dec 10, 2023

The focus in Part 3 will be on the Song Dynasty, the Jin and the Yuan. Looming large in Chinese medicine during this fertile period was Sun Simiao, the 药王 or King of Medicines. We'll look at his life as well as many others: Wang Shuhe 王叔和, more Tao Hongjing 陶弘景, Ge Hong 葛洪, Gong Qingxuan 龚庆宣, Chao Yuanfang 巢元方， and others.

If you'll be in London Feb 1-2-3, I'll be there collaborating with the London Science Museum. Details here: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/zimingzhong

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S8E10 | Don't Count Me Out Yet Dec 05, 2023

For the second time in a row, we feature the Cao Family of Wei in a Chinese Sayings Podcast Episode. This one concerns a story of someone who made the grade late in life. There are a lot of people in history who all throughout their early years and even into their prime, didn't make much of their life. But come their 50's or 60's they achieve greatness. This time we look at Dà Qì Wǎn Chéng 大器晚成 and the story of Cui Yan and his no-good young relative Cui Lin. February 1, 2024, I'll be in London as part of the opening festivities for an exhibition at the London Science Museum. Details here: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/zimingzhong Thanks everyone for another great season of The Chinese Sayings Podcast. Special episode coming next time featuring Emma.

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S8E09 | Why Can't We Live Together Nov 19, 2023

So much rancor in this world these days. Here's one that describes the feeling of mutual enmity that existed between two giants of their day, Cao Cao and Sun Quan. During the waning years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, three powerful forces jockeyed for position to see who might push the Liu's off the throne and take over to found a new dynasty. There was no reconciliation in the tea leaves. As far as Cao Cao of Wei and Sun Quan of Wu were concerned, that throne was only big enough for one of them. Here's a story from 208 AD that features a useful Chinese Saying born on the eve of the epic Battle of Red Cliffs.

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Ep. 338 | The History of Chinese Medicine (Part 2) Nov 12, 2023

As advertised last time in Part 1, we'll take a look at The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, the Huangdi Neijing 黄帝内经, including an explanation of the meridians. I'll also read a few passages from this most important of the ancient medical texts. As we get deeper into the earliest centuries of the development of Chinese medicine you'll gain a sense of how the ancients created a holistic system that encompassed all aspects of the body and spirit and how they sought to maintain harmony and equilibrium throughout. When everything was in balance, a person was healthy and happy. Still, a lot more to come. I hope you'll stick with the series.

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S8E08 | Let's Stick Together Oct 22, 2023

Once again, for all CHP listeners, I'm featuring the latest episode of the Chinese Sayings Podcast. It's said that we human beings have been called social animals by nature. Some of us love other kinds of people more than others do. But no matter how enamored one might be about another culture, nation, or people, we all tend to stick with our own kind. This 4th Century BC Chinese Saying comes from "The Strategies of the Warring States." and concerns the witty and capable minister to King Wei of Qi and his son King Xuan: Chunyu Kun. King Xuan needed to round up several talented souls to help him manage the Kingdom of Qi, where the stunning and beautiful Shandong Peninsula is located. Answering the king's call, Chunyu Kun gathered a whole bunch of worthy and talented men and schooled the king about how easy it was to find them. This is the story behind Wù Yǐ Lèi Jù 物以类聚. I also mentioned another chengyu that goes along with this episode: yīmíng jīngrén 一鸣惊人. You get that one too, at no extra cost, I might add. Only two more episodes to go for this season. Like last time in Season 7, be looking for un episodio extra especial featuring our hardworking and brilliant 领导 of the 成语研究中心 in Beijing: Emma. Looking forward to seeing some of you in Hong Kong during my few days there. My deepest gratitude for listening.

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Ep. 337 | The History of Chinese Medicine (Part 1) Oct 15, 2023

Here we commence a new series, one that will explore the history of Chinese Medicine. In this episode, we'll explore some of the basics and the lives and achievements of China's earliest physicians, the mythical and the ones we know lived. This episode is kind of a warm-up for Part 2 where we'll take a closer look at the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon (Huangdi Neijing) and Shennong's Materia Medica (or Shennong Herbal).

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S8E07 | Help! Oct 08, 2023

We're back for the seventh time this season. This time we're happy to feature once again the great Daoist philosopher who never disappoints. This story about the fish in a rut is a rather well-known one from the Outer Chapters of The Zhuangzi, or Second Book of the Dao as it's sometimes called. Zhuangzi himself stars in today's episode: Hé Zhé Zhī Fù 涸辙之鲋.

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S8E06 | Looks can be deceiving Sep 24, 2023

For the second time this season, we refer to Zuo Qiuming's "Chronicles of Zuo" for another good and useful chengyu. This one takes place in the Spring and Autumn Period and concerns a haughty self-important minister from Jin State stopping for the night at an inn in Ningyi (河南宁邑). He left quite an impression on the innkeeper there but when this simple innkeeper looked more closely at this official, he saw he was Huá Ér Bù Shí 华而不实. Enjoy this ancient story and learn a new Chinese Saying too.

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Ep. 336 | Guiguzi, The Sage of Ghost Valley Sep 17, 2023

Written into the ancient histories were the big-name Warring States characters Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Sun Bin, and Pang Juan. Sima Qian and others remarked that these four men were all students of Guiguzi 鬼谷子. He's like a lot of figures from Bronze Age China. Guiguzi's name is mentioned in a few important texts. But that's about it. Just his name and the barest of details. Over the centuries, scholars put some flesh on those bones, but the truth remains, there's not much to sink our teeth into as far as Guiguzi the person is concerned. But the stories associated with Guiguzi are good ones and worth a re-telling. Su Qin and Zhang Yi's Vertical and Horizontal Strategies, and the story of Sun Bin, Pang Juan and Sun Bin's Art of War. The Guiguzi is considered China's first work of rhetoric. It's interesting to see how rhetoric developed in Warring States China at the exact same time as Plato and Aristotle in Greece. Somewhere along the way though, The Guiguzi became better known as a military treatise. Thanks everyone for listening.

Hui Wu’s “Guiguzi, China’s First Treatise on Rhetoric, A Critical Translation and Commentary.” Find it here: https://a.co/d/9RV6k8U

谋圣鬼谷子 For the Holy Guiguzi video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvDuSJ8imKg&list=PLy8WDOJkSFFz92BEhcYXmYdm0tWAZXnLw

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S8E05 | Shock the Monkey Sep 10, 2023

Lovers of all things Song Dynasty will surely recall the story of Qin Hui. He has top billing in this tale concerning the story behind Shù Dǎo Húsūn Sàn 树倒猢狲散. This one has practical applications these days when we see political and corporate leaders fall from grace. When that happens, we often get to view the spectacle of hangers-on and sycophants scattering and heading for the hills, to search once more for someone to suck up to. This Chinese Saying comes in handy when this happens. We all need someone to lean on. Make sure the one you choose has some staying power.

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Ep. 335 | Qian Xuesen (Part 2) Sep 03, 2023

Once his past attendance at meetings of the Pasadena Communist Party in 1938 come to light, Qian gets caught up in the Red Scare of the 1950s. In this Part 2 episode, we see how the US government accused Qian of being a communist. Despite everything he had done for America and all the R&D that he might further contribute in the decades to come, Qian was deported back to his homeland. And from 1955 until his death in 2009, he went on to do all kinds of great things for the PRC's missile and space programs.

Iris Chang, "Thread of the Silkworm" https://www.amazon.com/Thread-Silkworm-Iris-Chang/dp/0465006787

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Ep. 334 | Qian Xuesen (Part 1) Sep 03, 2023

Once again, by popular demand, here's another oft-requested topic. With the recent release of the Oppenheimer film, I thought this story was quite timely. Qian Xuesen is called "The Father of China's Missile and Space Program." What's not as well known is the key role he played in the late 1930s and 40s in the United States rocket and jet propulsion programs. He was there, along with Frank Malina, Weld Arnold, Apollo M.O. Smith, Jack Parsons, and Edward S. Forman, when the Jet Propulsion Laboratory was created. Under the leadership of Theodore von Karman, this team led the effort that launched America's missile and rocket programs. But come 1950 Qian's world will be upended. That's all for Part 2.

Iris Chang: Thread of the Silkworm: https://www.amazon.com/Thread-Silkworm-Iris-Chang/dp/0465006787

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S8E04 | Run For Your Life Aug 27, 2023

Once again we thank The Grand Historian for giving up another good one. This one's an eight-character chengyu. The story goes back to 206 BC and the famous story of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu's meeting at The Banquet at Hongmen. Here, the two contenders for the emperorship of China, meet face to face. Only one of them could sit on that throne and beginning right here, the Chu-Han Contention begins. The chengyu for this time, 项庄舞剑, 意在沛公 Xiàng Zhuāng Wǔ Jiàn, Yì Zài Pèi Gōng comes from this slice of history mentioned in the Record of the Grand Historian from the chapter on Xiang Yu. People who have a lot to lose, especially in the world of politics and government should pay attention to this one. It's a good one to use when describing someone who may appear all nice and pleasant but who has a hidden motive to do you harm. Enjoy!

White Vengeance video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H3yXEh7KCQ

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Ep. 333 | Keye Luke Aug 20, 2023

If you're someone born in the 1940s-50s and 60s, Keye Luke was a familiar name, especially if you watched American TV. As a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild, I thought his story might be timely. Set's take a break from the wars, rebellions, and days of yore and enjoy a more light-hearted episode featuring a beloved Chinese American who left his mark on the industry he was part of for more than sixty years. For many of us, this episode will be a nice pleasant trip down memory lane. I hope you enjoy

Go check out Timothy Tau’s excellent film on the life and career of Keye Luke: https://youtu.be/SqUH0-CcvOI

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S8E03 | Gimme Three Steps Aug 13, 2023

With a cast of characters like the Dukes of Jin and Chu and everyone's favorite exile Chong Er, you're guaranteed a treat. This is the story behind the chengyu: 退避三舍 Tuì Bì Sān Shè. The story of Chong Er, his escape from persecution by his father Duke Xian of Jin, and his triumphant return to Jin in 636 BC is one of the countless unforgettable stories from ancient Chinese history. Before Chong Er became Duke Wen of Jin, he experienced a nineteen-year odyssey that took him throughout the states of the Zhou Dynasty. This story concerns a visit to Chu. Sometimes you gotta know when to make a strategic retreat.

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Ep. 332 | The History of Yunnan Province (Part 5) Aug 06, 2023

Here's the final episode in the Yunnan history series. In this episode, we pick up in 1875 in the wake of the Margary Affair and take the story through the end of the Qing and into the Warlord and Republican era. Warlords Cai E, Tang Jiyao, Long Yun, and Lu Han, all make appearances. Part 5 runs almost 49 minutes which is 15-20 minutes longer than I like these CHP episodes to be. The series concludes a bit prematurely, a hundred years later in 1975. Sorry to end on such a downer as the Cultural Revolution and the Shadian Incident of 1975. I really don't have enough material to make a Part 6. So let's just leave it at that. I hope it was informative and helpful.

For the pure enjoyment of Pu-Erh Tea Laszlo recommends The Bana Tea Company: https://www.banateacompany.com/

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S8E02 | Blue, Blue, My World is Blue Jul 30, 2023

This time we're featuring another oldie but goodie, Qīng Chū Yú Lán 青出于蓝. Though Xunzi was the inspiration for the chengyu, the tale behind this Chinese Saying comes from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. The longer version of the saying goes 青出于蓝, 而胜于蓝 but we'll just focus on the front four and that's all you need for most situations where you want to remark about a student or apprentice, surpassing their teacher or master. Don't forget, all the terms for all the episodes can be found at my website at https://teacup.media. Thanks, everyone.

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New from Empires - An Asian Business Podcast Jul 25, 2023

Starting last year I became a big fan of many of the new shows that have been emerging from Singapore, India, China, the Philippines, and elsewhere in Asia. My buddy at 1UP Media, Yeo Guang Jin is running a multi-part series that looks at the humble rise of Alibaba and how Jack Ma built this into one of the great success stories in global corporate history. I'm sharing Part 3 of the series here on the CHP feed which tells the story of how Jack Ma took on mighty eBay and emerged from the competition with Taobao and TMall. Empires features compelling deep dives into some of the most renowned companies in all of Asia: Ten Cent, Sony, and Samsung to name a few. I heartily recommend this show to any and all lovers of International business. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.

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Ep. 331 | The History of Yunnan Province (Part 4) Jul 23, 2023

Here's Part 4 of my latest effort. This episode examines all the events leading up to, during, and immediately after The Panthay Rebellion, 1856-1872. Since the time of the Mongols, the Hui Chinese had served the dynasties faithfully as civil servants and bureaucrats. But come the mid-Qing, after a massive wave of Han Chinese migration to the southwest of China, including to Yunnan, sparks flew at once between the Hui Chinese who controlled business interests that the new migrants demanding a piece of the action. This was an unfortunate period in Yunnan's history.

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Laszlo chats with Iron Horse Road Podcast producers Hao Huang and Micah Huang Jul 18, 2023

A few days ago, Laszlo sat down with good friend Hao Huang and son, Micah, at Scripps College where Hao is the Bessie and Cecil Frankel Chair in Music. In 2021 they co-produced the Blood on Gold Mountain Podcast. In a pilot episode of a new show dropping Wednesday, July 19 called Iron Horse Road, Hao and Micah explain what the show is about and the trip they took to California's High Sierras that inspired it. They visited locations where more than a century and a half ago railroad workers from Southern Guangdong built these wonders of engineering. This led to a general discussion about these workers and the challenges they faced living far from home and in a land where every day presented a new set of challenges, often life-threatening. The Iron Horse Road Podcast will come out on the Blood on Gold Mountain feed. To subscribe, search for Blood on Gold Mountain or visit their website at https://blood-on-gold-mountain.captivate.fm/

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S8E01 | Wouldn't Change a Thing Jul 16, 2023

Welcome back to another season of Chinese Sayings. For the Season 8 opener, we open with a well-known and useful chengyu: Yī Zì Qiān Jīn 一字千金. The story behind this classic from The Record of the Grand Historian features the infamous Lü Buwei, Lady Zhao, and the father of the future first emperor of China, King Zhuangxiang. The Qin State and Dynasty yielded up some fantastic chengyu's over the years. And this is sure one of them. Stay cool everyone, especially all ya'lls in Arizona. Thanks as always to Emma in China's capital.

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Ep. 330 | The History of Yunnan Province (Part 3) Jul 09, 2023

In this latest installment of the Yunnan History series, we take the narrative up to the Qing Dynasty in the 1800s. The province had been relatively peaceful since the late 13th-century Mongol conquest. Then, not so much come the accession of the Yongzheng Emperor. This episode takes a very quick look at Yunnan literary figure Yang Shen followed by a retelling of the story of Wu Sangui and the Revolt of the Three Feudatories. Then, the scourge of the local tribal chieftains of Yunnan, Ortai (È’ěrtài 鄂尔泰) is introduced. And in preparation for Part 4 which will focus on the Panthay Rebellion, I'll also explain some background info on the Hui People of Yunnan, beginning with Sayyid Ajall Shams al-Din Omar al-Bukhari. My thanks to you all for taking the time to listen.

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Ep. 329 | The History of Yunnan Province (Part 2) Jun 25, 2023

We pick up after the fall of the Tang Dynasty and Nanzhao Kingdom. The main focus in this Part 2 episode will be the rise and fall of the Dali Kingdom and the Mongol Conquest of Dali in 1253. We'll also take a quick look at the complicated period between the fall of Nanzhao and the founding of the Dali Kingdom. We'll close with the fall of the Yuan Dynasty and the aftermath that occurred in Yunnan in the 14th century.

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The History of Beijing with Jeremiah Jenne Jun 23, 2023

The response was so positive last time longtime Beijing ex-pat Dr. Jeremiah Jenne appeared on the CHP, we decided to invite him on the program again. Seeing how JJ has called this magnificent city home for the past twenty-odd years, who better is there to introduce the long history of this 6300 sq. mile area located inside the borders of Hebei province? Even before the city officially became Beijing or even Khanbaliq, it was already a historical place. My deep thanks to Jeremiah 君 for taking the time to come on the show. Have a fab weekend everyone!

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The Ming Dynasty, Europa Universalis IV, and Grand Strategy Gaming with Álvaro Sanz of Paradox Interactive Jun 20, 2023

Over the past year, I've had the great pleasure of working with a talented group of game developers at Paradox Tinto, one of the studios where they design and develop history-based grand strategy games. These Grand Strategy Games are enjoyed all over the world. One member of the team at Paradox Tinto who I had the pleasure to work with, was Barcelona-based Álvaro Sanz. Together we worked on a selection of history-based lectures that accompany the Europa Universalis IV Mandate of Heaven DLC (DLC: Downloadable Content). The time period covered in the game coincides with the Ming and early Qing Dynasties. This series of lectures accompanied the time period of the Mandate of Heaven DLC. And as of June 20th, everything's now available to all players of Europa Universalis IV. This experience of collaborating with the team at Paradox to develop all this new content was also a great learning experience for me. Grand Strategy Games are passionately embraced by enthusiasts the world over. During this past year I have discovered how these computer-based games are a fantastic and unique way to learn about history.

Paradox Interactive: https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/

Europa Universalis IV: https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/our-games/all-games?Brand=Europa%20Universalis

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Ep. 328 | The History of Yunnan Province (Part 1) Jun 11, 2023

In this first episode of a multi-part series, we'll look at Yunnan's ancient beginnings during the Zhou Dynasty and take things up to the end of the Nanzhao Kingdom in the 10th century. The Dian Kingdom, the Cuanman, the beginnings of Nanzhao, and the rocky relationship between Tang Dynasty China, Tibet and Nanzhao. All of that will be looked at in this episode. Then next time in Part 2 we'll begin the Dali Kingdom. Thanks for listening.

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Ep. 327 | The History of China-Cambodia Relations (Part 2) May 28, 2023

In this episode, we'll focus on modern China-Cambodia Relations. The rise of the Cambodian communists (Khmer Rouge) will be highlighted, along with how China helped to facilitate their rise and keep them in power. In addition to PRC support for the Khmer Rouge, we'll also look at the aftermath of their fall in 1979 and the complicated PRC-Vietnam-Cambodia triangle. The episode concludes with a look at present-day relations and China's Belt & Road projects in Cambodia.

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Bonus Episode: Emma debuts on the Chinese Sayings Podcast May 21, 2023

Emma's been integral to the CSP for a few seasons now. Here's one more nice chengyu that has loads of utility value. This time Emma herself, introduces the story behind the saying 世外桃源 Shì Wài Táo Yuán. This comes straight from the great Eastern Jin literatus Tao Yuanming. Many of us dreamers have thought about getting away from it all to escape to a utopian paradise. I hope you enjoy the story and Emma's telling of it. We'll be back next season with more useful and interesting Chinese Sayings.

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Ep. 326 | The History of China Cambodia Relations (Part 1) May 14, 2023

This is part 1 of a 2-part series covering the history of the relations between China and Cambodia. In this first half of the series, I present the early history. Some of this material was covered in the China-Vietnam series: Funan, Zhenla, and the Khmer Empire. This is a nice refresher if you forgot about that. Cambodia didn't have the same historical relations with China as their two neighbors and sometimes antagonizers, Thailand and Vietnam. A lot of what happened later on, in Part 2, had its roots in mid-19th century Cambodia. I hope this episode is useful as an intro to Cambodian history. We'll take things up to 1965 here and finish off next time.

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Introducing "Empires-An Asian Business Podcast" May 12, 2023

I discovered a whole bunch of new podcasts that are produced out of Singapore, Malaysia, HK, and the Philippines. My listening diet has always been heavy on US-UK-Australian shows. Podcasting is on the rise in Asia too. 1 Up Media, led by Singaporean Yeo Guang Jin has a couple of shows that are quite good. The first (I'm playing for you here) concerns the stories behind great business empires. They've done deep dives on Ten Cent, Sony, and Samsung so far. The show is called Empires: An Asian Business Podcast. https://www.tiktok.com/@empirepod They also have another show that is sure to satisfy all imbibers of True Crime Podcasts. Over in Southeast Asia, they have their own murders and gruesomeness, some of which are featured in Heinous: An Asian True Crime Podcast. https://www.tiktok.com/@heinous_1upmedia Back when I started the CHP in 2010, podcasting was still in its infancy. Now in 2023 there are so many great shows behind produced all over the world by so many talented independent podcasters. I hope you take advantage of the many rich pickings out there beyond the borders where you live. Have a great weekend everyone. Links to the shows are below:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empires-an-asian-business-podcast/id1674467595

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6fCGvywzRXGe5Q1GVP8Rtb?si=eaba0892a5644da4

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S7E10 | She's a Woman! The Chinese Sayings Podcast May 07, 2023

I hope everyone is enjoying these Chinese Sayings Podcast episodes that I began posting to this podcast feed. We end Season 7 with an old one from the Book of Jin 晋书 that contains two venerable co-stars from the Three Kingdoms era. This time we look at the amusing story behind the 巾帼英雄 Jīn Guó Yīng Xióng. The CSP will be back one more time with a bonus episode featuring Emma, the G.M. of the Teacup 成语研究中心. You won't want to miss that.

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Ep. 325 | Chin Gee Hee Apr 30, 2023

With the Taiwan series now behind us, it's onwards and upwards. This time I wanted to select one of the many great Chinese American heroes of his day, Chin Gee Hee. Chin was another Toisan native who came to the American west coast, not to the usual haunts of San Francisco and Los Angeles, but to Seattle. He arrived in the 1860s and stayed till 1904. Following a career in labor contracting and other entrepreneurial ventures that made him quite wealthy, he returned to his native Toisan where, together with a partner, he built the Sun Ning Railway 新宁铁路. The Sun Ning was one of the very few rail projects funded entirely by Chinese investors. During his decades living in the Washington Territory Chin Gee Hee faced the worst racism and anti-Chinese violence the future state would ever see. And when he returned to China during the final years of the Qing Dynasty to build his railroad, his best intentions encountered a different set of challenges and disappointments.

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"Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant" with Curtis Chin Apr 27, 2023

I was happy to welcome Curtis Chin onto the CHP to chat about his life growing up Asian American in the black-and-white city of Detroit and coming out in his working-class immigrant community. Curtis's ancestors came to America over a hundred years ago and ended up in a place that not many Chinese back then gravitated to. His family-owned restaurant "Chung's" was a longtime fixture in the Cass Corridor where Detroit's Chinatown was located. His book isn't coming out till later this year but if you'd like to find out more go to https://www.curtisfromdetroit.com/ I hope you enjoy the conversation.

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I Want You To Show Me The Way | The Chinese Sayings Podcast Apr 23, 2023

For our ninth offering of the season here's another golden oldie with a story that goes back almost 2,700 years to the time of the early Spring and Autumn Period. The story concerns the two major states of Qí and Yān and the two minor (and mostly forgotten) states of Lìngzhī and Gūzhú. Two major and extremely consequential characters from those times star in this story. These were Duke Huán of Qí and his advisor Guǎn Zhòng. They led their troops into the mountains on a punitive expedition and ended up getting hopelessly lost in the process. Fortunately, for all concerned, 老马识途 Lǎo Mǎ Shí Tú, and they were able to escape from their dilemma and live on to fight another day.

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Ep. 324 | The History of Taiwan (Part 15) Apr 16, 2023

Last episode we looked at the Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou years from 2000-2016. In Part 15 we'll take the narrative up to the present time. We'll examine the Tsai Ing-wen presidency and where she contrasts with her predecessors. Where cross-strait relations are concerned, differences are quite stark. Since the final years of the Obama presidency, the US-China relationship has been steadily deteriorating. And caught in the middle of this conflict is Taiwan. I hope this series has been helpful and useful to you. It ran a little long but it's a big story to tell.

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All I Want Is To Be Next To You | The Chinese Sayings Podcast Apr 09, 2023

Greetings CHP listeners, whether you want it or not, here's the next episode of the CSP. The story behind our Chinese Saying for this time is quite recent as Chinese history goes. It takes place merely a thousand years ago, during the time of the Northern Song Dynasty. Just like location, location, location is what matters most in real estate, when it comes to getting ahead in your career, the same often holds true. One's location, relative to the boss, can sometimes make it or break it for you. As this story will show, if you're hoping to climb the ladder of success, sometimes a Jìn Shuǐ Lóu Tái 近水楼台 is all you need. A pavilion or a building near the water? How could that help an ambitious and aspiring bureaucrat in the government? Listen to this story that features the great Northern Song poet, politician, philosopher, writer, military strategist, and scholar-official, Fan Zhongyan.

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Ep. 323 | The History of Taiwan (Part 14) Apr 02, 2023

Chen Shuibian and Ma Ying-jeou both served two terms as president of the Republic of China. These years from 2000 to 2016 illustrated the glaring examples between the KMT and the DPP. Beginning with Taiwan's first DPP president, more and more things began to be said and actions taken that have provoked China and raised the anxiety levels of everyone familiar with the situation. In this episode, the eight years of Ma Ying-jeou (Mǎ Yīngjiǔ) brought anxiety levels down. But as shown from these past many episodes, attitudes on Taiwan about the mainland are mixed and not everyone was thrilled. Next episode in Part 15 we'll wind things down and conclude the Taiwan series. Thanks, everyone for listening.

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The Peking Express with James Zimmerman Mar 29, 2023

Hitting the shelves April 4th is Beijing-based attorney James Zimmerman's new book: "The Peking Express - The Bandits who Stole a Train, Stunned the West, and Broke the Republic of China." This explosive and historic event in May-June 1923 had far-reaching consequences for China. For more info go to ThePekingExpress.com

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I Should've Known Better | The Chinese Sayings Podcast Mar 26, 2023

You didn't ask for it. But you're getting it anyway. This week's Chinese Sayings Podcast reaches back all the way to those fateful years following the fall of the Qin Dynasty and the contentious period of conflict between Liu Bang of Han and Xiang Yu of Chu. As these two rivals battle it out, Liu Bang sought advice from one of his advisors on a plan of action. But as we'll see, that plan is blown out of the water by the great hero of the early Han, Zhang Liang. In order to persuade Liu Bang of the folly of this plan, Zhang Liang will 借箸代筹 Jiè Zhù Dài Chóu, borrow chopsticks to illustrate his strategy. And using these chopsticks as a prop to illustrate his point, Zhang Liang blows this advisor's good idea out of the water.

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Shanghai's Uchiyama Bookstore with Naoko Kato Mar 21, 2023

Laszlo welcomes Dr. Naoko Kato onto the CHP to talk about her new book: "Kaleidoscope: The Uchiyama Bookstore and its Sino-Japanese Visionaries." During one of the most fertile periods in modern Chinese literature following the May Fourth Movement, Uchiyama Kanzō operated a bookstore and cultural salon on Sichuan Road that attracted many big names among leftist writers and intellectuals. Most notable among the regular visitors was Lu Xun. Uchiyama and Lu Xun enjoyed a very special friendship that embodied Uchiyama's aspirations for friendship and understanding between the people of China and Japan.

You can get the book here: https://earnshawbooks.com/product/kaleidoscope/ here: https://a.co/d/8TMjqKS or here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kaleidoscope-naoko-kato/1142725298

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Ep. 322 | The History of Taiwan (Part 13) Mar 19, 2023

In this Part 13 installment, in what I can tell you now, will be a 15-Part series, we look at some of the main events from 1977-1987. This was the final decade in the life of Chiang Ching-Kuo. He ended martial law and set Taiwan on the course that we all recognize today. In this episode, we'll look at the Zhongli Incident, the rise of Xu Xinliang 许信良 and a more emboldened political opposition, the normalization of relations between the US and PRC, and the subsequent Taiwan Relations Act. Other things mentioned in Part 13 include the founding of the Hsinchu Science Park and the birth of TSMC, the semiconductor company so often mentioned in the news. We'll finish off with the killing of dissident writer Henry Liu (江南) in Daly City, California. The final two episodes will focus on more recent events.

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Locked and Loaded | The Chinese Sayings Podcast Mar 12, 2023

I don't do this too often but I'm featuring this week's Chinese Sayings Podcast in the CHP feed. Firstly this is a tale rooted in 7th century BC Spring and Autumn history. But also, just in case you never heard of this other show of mine, I wanted to introduce it to you. You can find the Chinese Sayings Podcast wherever you find the CHP.

Here comes one more textbook chengyu from the Spring and Autumn Period, as written by Master Zuo Qiuming 左丘明 himself: 厉兵秣马 Lì Bīng Mò Mǎ. Lots of marquee names from that exciting time, including Duke Mu of Qin and Duke Wen of Jin. Be sure to check out the teacup.media website for a handy downloadable cheat sheet listing all the Chinese names and terms. This one has a fair number of characters and place names. The kind of inter-kingdom rivalries that were one of the hallmarks of the Eastern Zhou are front and center in this 7th-century BC tale. This is a good Chinese Saying that has a few useful applications in real life. Thanks for listening.

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Ep. 321 | The History of Taiwan (Part 12) Mar 05, 2023

Another barnburner of an episode here in Part 12. The 1960s and 70s witnessed a lot of turbulence in Taiwan. Following the Sino-Soviet Split, Chiang Kai-shek had a funny feeling his U.S. ally was going to try to make hay of this opportunity. Facing an uncertain future Chiang front-burner'd economic reform. As things gather steam throughout the 1970s, a middle class emerges and grows. Taiwan was moving full speed ahead in the direction of becoming one of the Four Asian Tiger economies. Chiang knew the knock on the door was coming sooner or later. December 1969 he is told by the US ambassador the US will end things with the ROC in favor of recognizing the PRC. That created a very complicated and sensitive situation. The KMT starts grooming more native Taiwanese and carries out aggressive outreach. And we'll close off with the death of Chiang in April 1975.

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Ep. 320 | The History of Taiwan (Part 11) Feb 19, 2023

The focus for this time will be on the main events of 1957-1962. The KMT and the ROC government had been on a wartime footing throughout the 1950s. We'll also look at the infamous KMT repression and martial law as well as the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. By the end of this episode, Chiang figures out the US is never going to back him in any attempts to recover the mainland and overthrow the CCP. Now Chiang turns his attention to another perceived enemy, opposition parties, and anyone going against the KMT grain.

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Ep. 319 | The History of Taiwan (Part 10) Feb 05, 2023

The first five years of the 1950s were ones to remember. The Korean War, the Cold War, The First Taiwan Strait Crisis, the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, Formosa Resolution Act, Tuapse Incident, May 24th Incident, the MAAG, the USTDC, and all these other acronyms that surrounded the US-Taiwan alliance. Buckle your seatbelts and sit back for the next forty minutes. If you think tensions in today's whacky world are outta sight, get a load of what was going on off the coast of the People's Republic of China during the immediate years following Liberation on the Mainland.

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Ep. 318 | The History of Taiwan (Part 9) Jan 22, 2023

We finished last time with the 228 Incident. In Part 9 Chiang Kai-shek has to not only mop up from this PR disaster but get the island all prepped and ready for his later arrival, along with more than a million others feeling the communists. With the three victorious campaigns of 1948-49, the Nationalists are cornered and The Great Retreat steps into high gear. Everything that Chiang will need to keep his regime going is moved to Taiwan. This included soldiers, government officials, and KMT members, gold, and cultural treasures from the past few thousand years of Chinese history. Once everything is settled on Taiwan Chiang carries out a purge and puts Chen Cheng in place to whip Taiwan into shape. If Chiang was going to take back the Mainland he needed to get his house in order first.

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Surfing History in China With Nik Zanella Jan 10, 2023

Surfing and China are two words I didn't think you could put together in the same sentence. It turns out not only is there a rather large surfing scene in China, there's also a history that dates back to the Song Dynasty. Italian Nik Zanella first came to China in 1993 and is now based in Surfer's Paradise of Western Hainan. He came out with a book several years ago called "Children of the Tide" (弄潮儿). Though the lion's share of China's surfing history is limited to the tidal bore of the Qiantang River, it's still a rather interesting and amusing story. Thanks to Mr. Nik Zanella for taking the time to appear on the CHP.

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Ep. 317 | The History of Taiwan (Part 8) Jan 08, 2023

This Part 8 episode of the History of Taiwan series runs a little longer than usual. About 50 minutes. This time we'll look at the period immediately following the handover of sovereignty in 1945. Needless to say, things didn't go so smoothly and the tone was set for the next several decades on Taiwan. The smash-and-grab events following Retrocession and the infamous 228 Incident are discussed in this episode. It's going to be a long hard slog from here on out. Wishing you all a great rest of the year and a Fab 2023.

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Ep. 316 | The History of Taiwan (Part 7) Dec 25, 2022

Taiwan's history continues into the 1930s during the period of Japanese rule. We pick up where we left off last time in 1930. In Part 7 we'll take the history all the way to the end of WWII and the defeat of Japan. We'll look at several of the events of the 1930s such as The Taiwan Exposition, the Kōminka Movement, Taiwan's role in the war, and what happened when it was all over.

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Ep. 315 | The History of Taiwan (Part 6) Dec 12, 2022

The History of Taiwan continues with the Japanese colonial period during the 1920s. Despite all the transformational things the Japanese were carrying out on the island, not everyone was signing up for allegiance to the emperor. The Beipu Uprising, the 2nd Truku War, Ta-Pa-Ni Incident, and the horrific Musha Incident were all evidence of anti-Japanese resistance and retribution. We also look at Jiang Weishui and Lin Xiantang, two important figures in the movement to establish a Taiwanese Parliament. No one was trying to kick out the Japanese. By the 1920s they began to ask for more representation in government affairs in Taiwan. This was going to be a long struggle.

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The Great Wall, Featuring William Lindesay Dec 02, 2022

Laszlo had the honor and pleasure to welcome Mr. William Lindesay onto the CHP to discuss The Great Wall, a topic he is most eminently qualified to speak about. Sit back and enjoy this very informative and entertaining episode introducing the history and lore behind The Great Wall. A special thanks to William for his time and for sharing his Great Wall experiences over the past 35 years. We're planning to have William and his two sons Tommy and Jimmy back on the show soon to talk about more Great Wall history. Enjoy!

William Lindesay’s Amazon Page

https://www.amazon.com/William-Lindesay/e/B00XFI60OY/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

The Lindesay Brothers YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@thelindesaybrothers7331

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Ep. 314 | The History of Taiwan (Part 5) Nov 27, 2022

More Taiwan history for you in Part 5. This time we only get as far as the first decade of the Japanese colonial period. Quite a bit of exciting and little-known stuff went down in Taiwan between the Treaty of Shimonoseki and the moment the Japanese tamped down major resistance, seized control, and got to photograph themselves under a "Mission Accomplished" banner. The first years were characterized by acts of defiance against the Japanese takeover. We'll also examine "Asia's first republic" and those five months from 1895. We also harken back to an old History of Tea episode to look at Li Chunsheng and John Dodd's contribution to launching Taiwan's tea industry. All of this and more for you in Part 5. I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to your emails and comments.

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Ep. 313 | The History of Taiwan (Part 4) Nov 13, 2022

The history of Taiwan continues during the difficult decades of the Qing Dynasty. With Shi Lang's defeat of the Dongning Kingdom in 1683, Taiwan finally became part of China. But times were anything but peaceful on the island. The outcome of the Opium Wars had opened up treaty ports on Taiwan. Foreign trade ramped up quickly bringing with it all the positive and negative influences it had on the host country. The Manchu Qing authorities tried like crazy to establish control over the island. But with the indigenous people and the inaccessible mountainous parts of the island, they were never able to assert their authority beyond the west coast cities. A number of bloody incidents go down when foreign ships find themselves shipwrecked off the Taiwan coast. Finally, a hero arises who is able to begin to institute reforms. Liu Mingchuan first fought the French in the Sino-French War and then became the first governor of Taiwan...but not for long. We'll close with the Treaty of Shimonoseki which leads to a sharp turn of events on the Ilha Formosa.

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Ep. 312 | The History of Taiwan (Part 3) Oct 30, 2022

In this Part 3 episode, we look at Shi Lang and his victory over Zheng Jing, Liu Guoxian, and the Dongning Kingdom. When it was all over in 1683, for the first time in history, Taiwan fell under China rule. Now the Manchus needed to figure out what to do with this prize. Corrupt officials and heavy-handed governing methods contributed to the endless uprisings and rebellions witnessed on the island throughout the 18th century. The Qianlong Emperor will have his hands full trying to keep things peaceful in Taiwan. We close with the ultra-violence meted out during the Lin Shuangwen Rebellion of 1787-1788.

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Anna May Wong Honored Oct 19, 2022

The new Anna May Wong quarters are here, issued by The US Mint as part of a set honoring five women achievers and trailblazers: writer and civil right activist Maya Angelou, Astronaut Sally Ride, Native American activist, and former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller, suffragist, educator, and politician Nina Otero-Warren. And for the fifth coin, the US Mint selected none other than movie star, entertainer, activist, and fashion icon Anna May Wong, one of the women featured in this CHP-159 episode that looks at Chinese American Stars and Entertainers of Old Hollywood.

CHP-159 remains one of my personal all-time favorite CHP episodes. I put that one out back in 2015, complete with much less than optimal audio. I cleaned it up a little and added an intro. And today, in recognition of the release of this new coin, I'm bringing back this episode for anyone who missed it.

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Ep. 311 | The History of Taiwan (Part 2) Oct 16, 2022

In this Part 2 episode, we will look at Dutch and Spanish Formosa and the history of these two would-be colonizers of Taiwan. The Dutch were the first to try and make a serious go at colonizing Taiwan. Zheng Zhilong and his famous son Zheng Chenggong will also be covered in this episode. Zheng Chenggong, better known in the West as Koxinga, is probably the most well-known person in Taiwan's history. He was responsible for removing the Dutch from Taiwan and opening the floodgates to the migration of thousands upon thousands of settlers from the Mainland. He also established the Dongning Kingdom on the island. Taiwan is still not yet part of China. But after Shi Lang is introduced in the next episode, that all changes.

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Discussing the Silk Road and Central Asia With William Han Oct 04, 2022

Several years ago William Han set out from Xinjiang, following in the footsteps of Gan Ying who was tasked, in 97 AD, to seek out and establish relations with Da Qin (Rome). All the sights and experiences are detailed in William's new book, "From the Wall to the Water". It was quite an eye-opening journey from the end of the Great Wall to the Persian Gulf. Laszlo also discusses William's The Master of Demon Gorge Podcast (MODG) and the joys of China history podcasting.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B7GVCH9T/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

https://open.spotify.com/show/7MOqCZgmT3JONI5JLxWnGW

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-master-of-demon-gorge-a-chinese-history-podcast/id1569122446

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Ep. 310 | The History of Taiwan (Part 1) Oct 02, 2022

No topic gets requested more than the history of Taiwan. In this first of a multi-part series, Laszlo looks at the geologic formation of the island and Taiwan's prehistoric past. How the indigenous Austronesian people of Taiwan migrated throughout the South Pacific, the South China Sea, and beyond is also introduced. Several encounters between native people living in Taiwan and visitors from Fujian took place during the Three Kingdoms era and in subsequent dynasties. This will also be looked at. Part 1 will take the story up to the Ming Dynasty.

List of Chinese Terms Used: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fe269ae0da18965edaec1f9/t/6339c470295e81329a5dadcc/1664730225179/CHP-310+Terms+-+PDF+%281%29.pdf

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Ep. 309 | Drs. Ida Kahn and Mary Stone Sep 18, 2022

Don't let their names fool you. Ida Kahn was born Kang Aide and Mary Stone, Shi Meiyu. Born into a Methodist Episcopal community in the Treaty Port city of Jiujiang in Jiangxi Province, these two women became pioneers in introducing Western medicine to the women of Jiangxi province. And as role models for other women across China in the early 20th century, they inspired generations of women to become doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.

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Cats in Chinese History and Literature with Dr. Lee Moore Sep 10, 2022

For any and all cat lovers worldwide, here's a special episode for you. Fellow cat lover (ailurophile) Lee Moore of the Chinese Literature Podcast joins Laszlo for this CHP Special Episode where they chat about cats in Chinese history and offer up a few interesting anecdotes and stories. They both recite a selection of cat poems from the Song and Ming dynasties and go all out to discuss their favorite animal.

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Ep. 308 | The History of Guangzhou (Part 6) Sep 04, 2022

In this final sixth episode of the History of Guangzhou series, the events of the Nanjing Decade and the city's role as a bastion of anti-Chiang Kai-shek factions will be discussed. Then we'll wind things down with a rush to the finish, reviewing the Japanese occupation, the fall of Guangzhou to the Communists, and finally take a quick look at the Special Economic Zones that helped to transform Guangzhou and the entire Pear River Delta Region.

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Qing Dynasty Era Snuff Bottles With Andrew Singer Aug 22, 2022

Most of us have never tried old-fashioned snuff as they did back in the 17th to 19th centuries. But we've all heard of it. I invited Mr. Andrew Singer onto the CHP to satiate the curiosity of anyone wishing to know more about it and these gorgeous little bottles. Snuff bottles were extremely popular with the nobles and aristocrats of the Qing Dynasty. And a number of emperors too engaged in this pastime. Though snuff itself is not so popular today, the snuff bottles that came out of this period became an obsession of passionate collectors the world over. Join Andrew Singer and me in a discussion about the snuff and snuff bottle culture during the Qing Dynasty.

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Ep. 307 | The History of Guangzhou (Part 5) Aug 21, 2022

More Guangzhou history. This time we look at the events between the Second Opium War to the Northern Expedition. Featuring prominently in this episode will be Sun Yat-sen and the warlords. Before we get to them, however, we're stuck reliving all the historical short-sightedness of the foreign powers during the Daoguang and Xianfeng eras. I'm sure they all felt invincible back then against a rotted-out China government. Guangzhou became the headquarters for the Anti-Qing and later Anti-Warlord movements. As it was before in Guangzhou history, because of the local unrest, a lot of commerce shifted to other ports in China. We should be able to finish this series off next time in Part 6.

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The Forbidden City With Dr. Jeremiah Jenne Aug 10, 2022

Few topics have been requested more than the Forbidden City, located in the center of the great city of Beijing. To help introduce this iconic palace complex, Laszlo invited longtime Beijing resident, Jeremiah Jenne of "Barbarians at the Gate Podcast" fame onto the CHP to discuss the history of the Forbidden City from its construction in the Ming Dynasty up to the present day.

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Ep. 306 | The History of Guangzhou (Part 4) Aug 07, 2022

The history continues with the many exciting and historically consequential events of the mid-19th century. In this Part 4 episode, the history of Guangzhou takes a dramatic turn as the Europeans start showing up in greater numbers clamoring for more trade and more access to the China market. The Qianlong Emperor calls for the Canton System which leads to a number of "stepping stones" that ultimately results in the Treaty of Nanjing. And now with four additional treaty ports opened to trade, Guangzhou's importance starts to wane.

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Ep. 305 | The History of Guangzhou (Part 3) Jul 24, 2022

The history continues of China's great and historic "Window to the World", the city of Guangzhou. This time we pick up in the Yuan dynasty, where everything culturally, politically, and commercially picks up the pace going back to the Tang. Quanzhou in Fujian province outpaces Guangzhou as far as China's most important trade port. But that will change once we get the Ming and Qing dynasties. In this episode, the Europeans will finally, after more than 2,000 years, get their chance to get to know China face to face and up close. Needless to say, it didn't go too well.

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Ep. 304 | The History of Guangzhou (Part 2) Jul 10, 2022

We're picking up in the Tang Dynasty. Guangzhou continues its leading role as the gateway to Southern China coming from the South China Sea and beyond. Heaven is high and the emperor is far away. Despite its importance to the dynasty even in the 7th century, Guangzhou was still a place of banishment and not yet completely integrated with everything happening in the north. Arab and Persian traders and diplomats were regular visitors to Guangzhou and enjoyed a mini-golden age of cultural and commercial interaction. The Maritime Silk Road was in full bloom and Guangzhou was at the center of it. But all was not business as usual.

Two violent disturbances will hit Guangzhou that shatters the peace. And Guangzhou's misfortune will become Quanzhou's opportunity. In this episode, we'll also look at the Southern Han Dynasty from the Five Dynasties Ten Kingdoms period that followed the fall of the Tang. Liu Yan based his dynasty in Guangzhou and left behind ruins and relics that are still around today. We'll finish off in the Southern Song Dynasty when Guangzhou's economic importance to the country reached an all-time high.

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Qian Xiuling, "The Belgian Schindler" With Kyle Anderson Jul 01, 2022

Laszlo invited Kyle Anderson onto the CHP to discuss the life of the oft-called "Belgian Schindler" Qian Xiuling 钱秀玲. Kyle is the translator of the Xu Feng book "忘记我" (Forget Me) which details Madame Qian's incredible life, growing up in Yixing, Jiangsu, and later moving to Belgium for her university studies. She married, had a family, a career, and lived a quiet life until the German occupation of Belgium in 1940.

Her story and the bravery and humanity she exhibited during the Nazi occupation earned her the moniker "Belgium's Schindler". Her's was a life worth knowing about, despite her modesty and wishes to be forgotten. The descendants of the hundred or so lives she saved back in the 1940s today number in the many thousands. The translated version of the book will be coming out soon. For now, please enjoy this conversation between Laszlo and Kyle Anderson as they introduce the life of someone you may not have heard of before.

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Ep. 303 | The History of Guangzhou (Part 1) Jun 26, 2022

In this Part 1 episode of a multi-part series Laszlo introduces the most ancient history of the great city of Guangzhou. Long known as Canton in many places, this city has a history that is both fascinating and unique in China. In this installment of the series, we'll explore the early stories and legends from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Then we'll look at the period when the Guangzhou region first appears on the China map during the Qin. The story picks up the pace during Zhao Tuo's Nanyue Kingdom, a story told before in previous CHP episodes. Finally, we'll look at the Han and Three Kingdoms when there's no doubt about it, this part of southernmost China was here to stay and Guangzhou begins its integration with the rest of the Chinese nation.

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Ep. 302 | Chinese Anarchists of the Late Qing Jun 12, 2022

Thanks to Leigh for the inspiration to cover this sidebar to all the history happening during the end of the Qing and early Republic. This episode examines the lives of these late-Qing intellectuals who went to Paris, Tokyo, and other places to study alternative political systems that might be a good fit for China. Though anarchism works great only in theory, it was still an ideal these intellectuals aspired to. They sought to create a harmonious society where the people weren't persecuted or exploited by an oppressive government. The CCP ended up cherry-picking a few of these ideas that these anarchists wrote about in their journals and publications. These anarchists were the OG's of socialism and communism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Everything's Good | The Chinese Sayings Podcast | S05E01 Jun 07, 2022

With the Season 5 finale of my other show The Chinese Sayings Podcast going up yesterday, I wanted to include the season 5 opener of this show to the CHP feed just in case you haven't had a chance to check out this show. If you like the it, there are 50 episodes across 5 seasons for you to listen to! Search for The Chinese Sayings Podcast on your favorite podcast player and subscribe today! We're back with another season of wonderful and useful chengyu's for your Chinese sayings repertoire. Everyone knows this one. Well, maybe not everyone but it's pretty well-known. We ended last season in the Later Han Dynasty and that's where we'll start Season 5. Though this story was written during the Ming dynasty it concerns the 3rd Century character Sima Hui 司马徽. He was the original Hǎo Hǎo Xiānshēng 好好先生 who lived not to upset anyone or take a contrarian stance against anything that was ever said to him (by anyone).

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Ep. 301 | The History of the Chinese Jamaicans May 29, 2022

For this 301st CHP episode, we cover some more great Overseas Chinese history. Rather than biting off more than I could chew by taking on the bigger story of Chinese emigration to the Caribbean, the focus will be on the island nation of Jamaica. The Chinese Jamaican story is another Hakka story. Contained in this episode is just one sliver of the history of this great and musical nation. I hope this episode piques your interest. If you want to learn more about Jamaica you're in luck. Lots of great resources out there. I hope I can visit there one day and see it for myself. I flipped a coin to decide what pronunciation of "Caribbean" I would use for the episode. Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all fellow Yanks. Roifield Brown’s “How Jamaica Conquered the World”: https://open.spotify.com/show/53GxTOmpv0VLsIY426KYa8?si=f6eacb5b996a40d8&nd=1 Byron Lee and the Dragonaires: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1akUOJhf77cbKJveLHgxpy?si=7vj-VPKAQMyBj0GYXMtPKg&nd=1 VP Records: https://www.vprecords.com/

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Ep. 300 | The History of Chinese Alchemy (Part 2) May 15, 2022

For this Milestone Episode in CHP history, we finish off our overview of the history of Chinese alchemy. Top billing this time will be the biggest name in the industry, Ge Hong. Other notable alchemists and alchemical works will be introduced up to the Ming, followed by a Lightning Round of emperors who died by alchemical poisoning. Thanks to all of you who have supported me these past three hundred episodes and to all of you who discovered me only recently....永远感谢.

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Ep. 299 | The History of Chinese Alchemy (Part 1) May 01, 2022

This is the first of a two-part series that will explore the history of Chinese alchemy. We'll look at the most important names of alchemists and the works they produced. The emphasis of this series will be on "Waigong" 外丹 External Alchemy. Hard to believe people ingested toxic heavy metals as long as they did to achieve immortality. In this Part 1 episode, we'll look at alchemy's most ancient origins and take things up to the end of the Han Dynasty. Next time in Part 2 we'll look at alchemy's most renowned practitioner in China, Ge Hong, and how alchemy evolved all the way to the end of the Tang.

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The Early Life of Chairman Mao With Brandon Gauthier Apr 29, 2022

I'm happy to welcome Dr. Brandon Gauthier onto the CHP. His new book, just out, "Before Evil" looks at the early lives of six dictators: Mao, Stalin, Lenin, Mussolini, Hitler, and Kim Il-Sung. In this discussion, we'll mainly look at Mao's early life. Despite only focusing on one of the six dictators, this lively chat runs for about an hour. Since I've never presented Mao in a standalone series, this is a nice talk about a topic not covered in any previous CHP episode. Link to purchase "Before Evil":

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948954613/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_X4V152TM2M5EA3N0F1G3

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Ep. 298 | Homer Lea Apr 17, 2022

This episode is another listener request. In fact, Homer Lea's been requested regularly throughout the years. He's more of a footnote from history than actual history itself. Homer's story is kind of unique because of the stumbling blocks life threw his way. He didn't live long but in his short life he got to witness a lot and be a sort of "fly on the wall" to some of the great moments in Revolutionary Chinese history that we're all so familiar with. So let's go relive those years from 1908 to 1912 and the walk-on roles Homer Lea got to play as history unfolded.

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Ep. 297 | Austro-German Jewish Musicians in Wartime Shanghai Apr 03, 2022

Laszlo welcomes Scripps College professor of music Dr. Hao Huang onto the CHP to discuss the stories of Jewish musicians from Germany and Austria who fled Europe and ended up in Shanghai. This is a companion episode to the six-part series on the Jewish Refugees in Shanghai (Episodes 208-213). Professor Huang discusses the trials and tribulations these musicians faced, stories of their survival, and the great legacy many of them left behind in China. GREAT BIG thanks go out to: CINEVISION GLOBAL INC for allowing us to use a sample of the original Chinese version of Rose, Rose I Love You, better known as Shanghai Rose. The Exilarte Center at the MDW - the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna for allowing us to use an audio sample of the Wolfgang Fraenkel, Drei Orchesterlieder / Three Orchestral Songs (1941) that composer Fraenkel wrote while he was in Shanghai Youtube channel Onkel Greifenklau for allowing us to use a sample of violinist Alfred Wittenberg the Allegro molto from Mozart's String Quartet in G Major (Wittenberg-Quartet) Youtube channel Musicprof78 for allowing us to use a sample of Frankie Laine's version of Rose, Rose I Love you. and Micah Huang for sound production. Check out Michah Huang and Emma Geiss at https://www.theflowerpistilsmusic.com/

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Ep. 296 | Sino-Roman Relations (Part 2) Mar 21, 2022

In this episode, we will finish up this overview of the relations between Rome and China. The Roman Empire in the West ended in 476. In this Part 2 episode, we'll look at relations between the Byzantine Empire and China during the Tang, Song, and Yuan. As you'll soon discover the Nestorians and then later the Catholics led by John of Montecorvino dominated official and unofficial relations between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Empire of China.

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Ep. 295 | Sino-Roman Relations (Part 1) Mar 06, 2022

This is sort of a strange topic. In Part 1 we'll look at the early history that took place between the Han Dynasty and the Western Roman Empire. Before we tuck into the chicken ribs that are Sino-Roman Relations, I'll introduce you to the far-out theory that Professor Homer Dubs came up with in the 1950s. A lot of people swear this happened. Then we'll look at the famous Gan Ying mission of 97 AD and take it from there. In Part 2 we'll look at the events that happened mostly during the Byzantine Empire. Don't forget, to hear these episodes nice and early without commercials, sign up for CHP Premium here: https://teacupmedia.supercast.com/

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Ep. 294 | The Warlord Ma's of Northwest China Feb 20, 2022

If the title sounds familiar, that's because this is a new version of an old episode from 2014 that got pulled from the CHP back catalog. But here it is, newly recorded and enhanced. This episode looks at the Ma family of soldiers and warlords in the northwest provinces of Ningxia, Gansu and Qinghai. Their story began in the last years of the Dungan Revolt and concluded with the victory of the Chinese Communists in 1949. Please check the website for a cheat sheet that lists all names used in this episode. There are a lot of characters surnamed Ma in this episode.

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Introducing: A History of Coffee Podcast Feb 15, 2022

Documentarian and podcaster James Harper of Filter Stories has joined up with history professor Jonathan Morris to produce a nice, short but sweet, six-part series that looks at the history of this aromatic psychoactive seed that, like tea, played no small part in changing the world. If you liked the tea history series, I warmly welcome you to go check this one out from James and Jonathan that examines the impact of the coffee trade on world history. Behind that goodness that many of us enjoy once or several times daily, there’s a centuries-long history that is both fascinating and at times, quite dark. Like with the history of tea, many people in the first links of the coffee supply chain faced all manners of little-known human suffering. I invite you to listen. Only six episodes. Enjoy it with your morning cuppa. Did you know coffee is also produced in China? Yeah, the PRC is one of the top 20 producers in the world. Almost all the coffee in China is overwhelmingly grown in Yunnan Province, the same place where the original tea gardens existed thousands and thousands of years ago. You can learn all about this too in A History of Coffee. Links to the show can be found in the episode show notes. CHECK "A HISTORY OF COFFEE" OUT IN YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP OR AT THE WEBSITE: HTTPS://FILTERSTORIES.ORG Listen at: https://bit.ly/2NArChO Filter Stories Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filterstoriespodcast/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-china-history-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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Ep. 293 | David Tran Feb 06, 2022

In this 293rd CHP episode, we feature the Sriracha Chili Sauce King, David Tran. His life is a great immigrant success story and an inspiration to many aspiring immigrants and entrepreneurs. It's not often that a living person is featured on the CHP. David Tran's ancestors came from the Chaozhou region of China and emigrated to Vietnam in the 19th century. After a traumatic turn of events that forced him to flee his country, he ended up on the US west coast. There he went on to build his dream and ultimately become another great American immigrant success story. His culinary creation, Sriracha chili sauce, and his company, Huy Fong Foods, became a huge sensation in the US and later, all over the world.

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Ep. 292 | Olive Yang Jan 23, 2022

In this episode, Laszlo introduces the story of Olive Yang, 杨金秀. She was a Kokang Chinese born and raised around the border region of Myanmar and China. Her story took place in the Shan State of Myanmar. Though she was not someone of great historical impact on the times she lived in, she was part of a lot of the drama happening around her. She mixed with many interesting parties from the 1950s to the 1980s. This included Kokang royalty, KMT remnant armies, the CIA, and drug lords. For more content and ways to support the show, visit our website: teacup.media

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Lu Xun Introduction from The Chinese Literature Podcast Jan 13, 2022

Lu Xun's been on the long list of future topics since 2010 and I still haven't gotten to him. Why wait for me? Lee and Rob Moore of the Chinese Literature Podcast just launched a multi-episode series on the life and literary works of Lu Xun. Here is the introductory episode from Lee and Rob. You can listen to all the episodes of this guaranteed hit series at the Chinese Literature Podcast.

See links below :

The Official CLP Website: https://www.chineseliteraturepodcast.com/

Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chinese-literature-podcast/id1102235260

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ENZeuSqIjJwqVuYD5qiWp CLP on Twitter https://twitter.com/chinlitpod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mr2HX2ZJl2bH5DFndD5TA

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Ep. 291 | The History of Hainan (Part 2) Jan 09, 2022

This is the second part of a brief overview of Hainan history with special guest Professor Jeremy Murray. In this episode, Laszlo and Dr. Murray discuss Hainan history during the Qing, Republican, and PRC eras with some discussion of Hainanese culture. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 290 | The History of Hainan (Part 1) Dec 26, 2021

Laszlo welcomes California State University professor Dr. Jeremy Murray onto the CHP to help introduce the history of Hainan. In this Part 1 episode, they discuss the Hainan history timeline up to the end of the Ming Dynasty. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 289 | China's Himmler, Dai Li (Part 3) Dec 12, 2021

We continue with the conclusion of this series that looks at the life and times of Chiang Kai-shek's Spymaster, Dai Li, and his eight-year reign of terror. After being dealt a heavy blow in the Yan Baohang and Zhang Shuping spy cases, Dai found himself back on his heels with a legion of haters trying to tear him down. But it's always darkest before the dawn. And after Pearl Harbor and the sudden proliferation of Americans in Chongqing and other parts of China, opportunity knocked on Dai Li's door. SACO is born after Dai Li and Milton Miles meet and begin to discuss cooperating against the Japanese in China. It won't be long after SACO is operational that Dai uses the resources of the organization to also go after his and the KMT's political enemies, the CCP most of all. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 288 | China's Himmler, Dai Li (Part 2) Nov 28, 2021

The tale of Dai Li continues beginning with the passing of Sun Yat-sen in March 1926 and the rise of Chiang Kai-shek. The dreaded Blue Shirts are introduced along with Dai Li's rise up the ladder hanging on the coattails of Chiang. He demonstrates his undying loyalty to the Generalissimo during the Xian Incident and sets up the organization that made him famous, the innocuous-sounding Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, a.k.a. The Juntong. We finish off the episode with Dai uncovering a devastating Communist-led spy ring operating inside the sanctum sanctorum of his organization. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 287 | China's Himmler, Dai Li (Part 1) Nov 15, 2021

In this Part 1 of a 3 episode series covering the life and times of Dai Li, we look at his early beginnings, living the thug life in Shanghai and falling in with all the right people. We'll trace his quick rise up the ranks of Chiang Kai-shek's formidable spy agencies. He was often called "China's Himmler" due to his slavish devotion to his boss, Chiang Kai-shek, and for his role in setting up Chiang's secret police and spy agencies. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 286 | Tang Empress Zhangsun Oct 31, 2021

Though the villainous empresses always seem to generate the most popular interest, this time we'll look at the life of one of the many good ones, an outstanding one if I may add. Empress Zhangsun was the bride of Tang Dynasty heavy Li Shimin. When he became the second Tang emperor following one of the most dramatic events in early Chinese history, he reigned as Emperor Taizong. We remember Empress Zhangsun for her decency and for deporting herself in a manner that Yao and Confucius both would have approved. She became the gold standard for future empresses and was often imitated but seldom replicated. Come relive those early years of Zhenguan Era (貞觀) Tang history. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 285 (Bonus) | Reading of an 1894 Article on the L.A. Chinatown Massacre Oct 14, 2021

In addition to the latest CHP episode on the L.A. Chinatown Massacre, I also wanted to offer you a reading of an article that appeared in an 1894 edition of The Historical Society of Southern California journal. This article by C.P. Dorland was written only twenty-three years after the incident took place and described the events leading up to, during, and after the tragic event of October 24, 2871. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 285 | The L.A. Chinatown Massacre Oct 14, 2021

On October 24th, 1871 the Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre took place near the present-day location of Union Station, just north of the core downtown L.A. area. Though mostly unknown rather than forgotten, this incident that happened one hundred fifty years ago this month will be remembered through a number of commemorative events. The Chinese American Museum (today located adjacent to where the atrocities occurred) will sponsor one event. My friend, Scripps College professor Hao Huang will be participating in another event that will memorialize this tragic event in local L.A. history. Well-known and respected L.A. Chinatown scholar and activist Eugene Moy will also be among the speakers at this event. The links to both are shown below. In this CHP episode, I tell the story of the massacre and how it all went down on that tragic day. If you have time, I encourage everyone to check out these events that will offer an excellent perspective on what happened and the lessons we can all learn from it. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 284 | The Taiping Rebellion (Part 5) Oct 04, 2021

We're going to wind things down with this episode. 1863-1864, the bitter and bloody end of the Taiping Rebellion. Charles George Gordon has his walk-on but Zeng Guofan and brother Zeng Guoquan take the limelight in the ultimate showdown with the Taiping holdouts. When it was all over, the Taiping Rebellion ended up having quite a consequential impact on China's trajectory into the 20th century. We'll close things up by looking at the historical blowback from this terrible civil war. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 283 | The Taiping Rebellion (Part 4) Sep 20, 2021

After the Convention of Beijing was signed in 1860, the foreign pers weren't so sure about the Taiping's anymore. For the sake of preserving their hard-won gains in the Second Opium War, they hopped down off that fence and sided with the Qing forces. In this episode, we hear about Frederick Townshend Ward and the Ever Victorious Army. 1862 was the pivotal year for the allies lined up against the Taiping rebels. Victory was still a couple years away but it was well within sight at least. For more content and ways to support Teacup Media, visit our website at teacup.media

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Ep. 282 | The Taiping Rebellion (Part 3) Sep 06, 2021

After seizing the all-important city of Nanjing in March 1853 and basking in the afterglow of this victory, the Taiping leadership launches two military expeditions, one to the north to capture the capital, Beijing, and the other to the west. In this episode, we'll see how those two ventures panned out. Then in 1856, comes the first major political crisis that happens at the very top of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom leadership. Meanwhile, the foreign powers operating in China, namely Britain and France, scheme to make the best of the Qing Dynasty's bad situation.

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Ep. 281 | The Taiping Rebellion (Part 2) Aug 23, 2021

We're back with more of the Taiping Rebellion. In this episode, we trace the Taiping Rebels as they make their way from Yong'an in Guangxi all the way to the southern capital of Nanjing. As they make their way north and east towards western Jiangsu they grow in numbers and seize great amounts of weapons, silver, and boats.

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Ep. 280 | The Taiping Rebellion (Part 1) Aug 08, 2021

Now's as good a time as any to finally feature this well-known, regularly requested topic from Qing history. This is arguably the pivotal event that got the dominos falling that led to the Warlord Era and the later founding of the PRC. For anyone unfamiliar with the Taiping Rebellion, how it got started, and the situation in China during the mid 19th century, over the next few episodes, I'll try and lay it all out for you. We'll get to about 1851 this time around. This epic history has a cast of thousands. Feel free to check out the episode page at the website to view all the terms.

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Ep. 279 | The Hakka Kongsis of Borneo (Part 2) Jul 26, 2021

Laszlo picks up in 1818 with the Napoleonic Wars finished and the Dutch returning to their colonies to put everything back the way it was when they left. The struggle between the Dutch and the Chinese kongsis of West Borneo discussed previously continues with a fight to the finish in Part 2. The legacy of this century of history that occurred in Kalimantan Barat between 1750-1884, lives on in our day with the Indonesian-Chinese descendants of these adventurous immigrants from Guangdong and Fujian provinces.

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Ep. 278 | The Hakka Kongsis of Borneo (Part 1) Jul 12, 2021

The history of the Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia is rich with all kinds of lesser-known or forgotten tales, like this one. A kongsi 公司 today means a company. But when Chinese immigrants from Eastern Guangdong and Southern Fujian were heading in the direction of West Borneo to engage in gold mining, kongsis were established as associations where its members were organized and led. The Chinese migrants in West Borneo faced a constant barrage of challenges and these Kongsis, mostly Hakka, but also from the other main Chinese linguistic groups, were a mechanism with very democratic looking appearances, that took care of the needs of the group. This is Part 1 of an overview of their history.

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The Pirate Queen Zheng Yi Sao With Larry Feign Jun 29, 2021

Laszlo is pleased to present an interview with longtime Hong Kong resident, writer, and cartoonist Larry Feign to discuss his new novel "The Flower Boat Girl". The story is about Zheng Yi Sao, who was one of the most feared pirates in the early 19th century, and at one point, had command of a fleet of over 1,500 ships. Her life was the subject of Episode 174 of The China History Podcast, and in this episode we take another look at her astonishing life, this time with Mr. Feign’s expertise on the subject. Larry’s book is hot off the press and now available everywhere, for more info, visit https://piratequeenbook.com/

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Ep. 277 | Lin Yutang, with The Chinese Literature Podcast Duo Jun 28, 2021

In this China History Podcast episode, Laszlo teams up with Rob Moore and Lee Moore (no relation) from The Chinese Literature Podcast to explore the life and work of the highly influential writer Lin Yutang. Though rather unknown in our day, there was a time when Lin Yutang was the most recognizable name in the West who wrote and spoke about China. This episode explores his early years and later literary and political achievements during the 1930s to 1970s. Chinese Literature Podcast Website: https://www.chineseliteraturepodcast.com/ Subscribe to the Chinese Literature Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chinese-literature-podcast/id1102235260

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Ep. 276 | Sanxingdui and Ancient Shu Jun 14, 2021

Just in time, we look at all the recent finds at the newly discovered six sacrificial pits at Sanxingdui. Archaeologists and historians are pretty sure all these exciting discoveries going back to 1986 at Sanxingdui, Jinsha, Shangwangjiaguai are from the ancient state of Shu. This topic has been requested constantly throughout the years. I'm glad I waited until now to unleash it on you. Be looking for even more incredible discoveries at the Sanxingdui site that will be announced in the coming months and years.

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Pistols of the Warlord Era With Ian McCollum Jun 06, 2021

In this CHP Special Episode Laszlo is thrilled to welcome Mr. Ian McCollum to discuss his new book, "Pistols of the Warlords: Chinese Domestic Handguns, 1911 – 1949." If you're a fan of antique and historical firearms, you already might know Ian from his Forgotten Weapons YouTube Channel. What poetry was to the Tang Dynasty, arms manufacturing, and procurement was to the Chinese Warlord Era. A special thanks to Ian for sharing his expertise on this very popular topic.

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CHP Special Episode | Yuan Longping Jun 02, 2021

Here's a brief intro to the life of Dr. Yuan Longping who passed away on. May 22, 2021. It was covered quite extensively last week in the Chinese and international press as well as in all the China newsletters. But just in case you missed reading about him I wanted to post this short intro to his life and achievements.

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Ep. 275 | Henan Province (Part 3) May 31, 2021

We're going to finish off this survey of Henan from Neolithic times to the 20th century. In this episode, you'll get a closer look at Zhengzhou and a few other noteworthy slivers of Henan history. We'll close off with the hard times that hit Henan in 1887, 1938, 1942, 1959, and 1975. If you never appreciated Henan's place in Chinese history I hope this three-part series was able to offer you a gateway to understanding.

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Ep. 274 | Henan Province (Part 2) May 17, 2021

The saga continues. More poking around Henan in Part 2. We'll look at the Zhou Dynasty era states that made up the province in ancient times. We'll also focus on Luoyang, Kaifeng and Anyang. If the multitude of Chinese names starts to overwhelm, go to the website at Teacup.Media and download a nice cheat sheet I put together especially for you.

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Ep. 273 | Henan Province (Part 1) May 03, 2021

This is Part 1 of a four-part series focusing on the Chinese history that happened in one of China's oldest provinces. In Part 1 we get the lay of the land in Henan, discuss its mythical beginnings as well as the neolithic cultures of Peiligang, Yangshao, Longshan, and Erlitou. We also take the offramp to look at a couple of the more well-known Henan dishes. We'll get as far as the Xia and Shang dynasties and a little of the Western Zhou. All the Chinese terms from this episode (and there's a LOT of them this time) can be viewed in Pinyin, Chinese characters, and English at the website at: https://teacup.media/chinahistorypodcastepisodes/ep-273-henan-province-part-1

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Ep. 272 | Eunuchs in Chinese History (Part 6) Apr 19, 2021

In this shortest CHP episode since 2011, we conclude the series that explored the lives of eunuchs in Chinese history. This time around we wind things down with eunuchs during the time of the Last Emperor Puyi in the course of his residency in the Forbidden City, Tianjin and Manchukuo. Then we look briefly at the life of the Last Eunuch Sun Yaoting and the Ming Dynasty "good eunuch" Tian Yi. A big giant thanks to everyone who enjoyed this series.

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Ep. 271 | Eunuchs in Chinese History (Part 5) Apr 05, 2021

In this penultimate episode of the Eunuchs series, we finally make it to the Qing Dynasty. After everything that transpired during the Ming, the Qing is tame by those standards. From Dorgon to Daoguang things were pretty tame in the Qing. But once Empress Dowager Cixi grabs hold of the reigns of power, she allows her eunuchs, most notably An Dehai and Li Lianying, to do their worst. We'll finish off next episode with the tale of The Last Eunuch and clean up loose ends.

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Ep. 270 | Eunuchs in Chinese History (Part 4) Mar 22, 2021

Three of the Four Tigers, Wang Zhi, Liu Jin, and Wei Zhongxian get a once over this time around in Part 4. Many historians agree these guys offered the most generous contribution to the fall of the Ming Dynasty. At least no emperors were captured in battle during their time in the palace. But one emperor did have to hang himself from a tree thanks in no part to one of them.

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Ep. 269 | Eunuchs in Chinese History (Part 3) Mar 08, 2021

The story continues. After wrecking the Han and Tang Dynasties, the eunuchs emerge again in the Ming as a particularly destructive force. In this episode we'll also look at the Song Dynasty eunuch general and politician Tong Guan. Then we'll look at the life of the first of the so-called Four Eunuch Dictators of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Zhen. His greed and avarice almost caused the Ming Dynasty to fall.

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Ep. 268 | Eunuchs in Chinese History (Part 2) Feb 22, 2021

This time we look at eunuchs in the Tang from Xuanzong to hapless Emperor Ai. We'll see how it was a long hard downhill slide once Xuanzong let Gao Lishi amass so much power. Subsequent emperors were either too weak or too young to push back against eunuchs who, once given an inch of authority, took a mile more and never let go. They grew in power and venality at the expense of the dynasty's fortunes. Finally they drove it into the ground.

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Ep. 267 | Eunuchs in Chinese History (Part 1) Feb 08, 2021

This topic was coming sooner or later. Laszlo offers up another general overview of Chinese history, this time with eunuchs serving as the prism to view it all. In this episode we'll look at the story of the maybe/maybe not eunuch/official from the Qin Dynasty Zhao Gao and his antics trying to cover up the sudden and unexpected death of Qin Shihuang. Then we'll finish off with eunuchs in the Later Han including the rise and fall of the Ten Attendants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 266 | Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu Jan 25, 2021

This time Laszlo introduces an outstanding Chinese-American scientist who will be honored in the United States on February 11, 2021 with a new commemorative postage stamp. Dr. C.S. Wu came to America in 1936 and due to circumstances in her homeland, ended up staying in the US for good. She made many contributions in the field of physics and worked on the Manhattan Project. Dr. Wu was role model and tireless campaigner for encouraging young women to study the sciences and for equal rights. Her's was a great American success story.

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Ep. 265 | The History of the Thai Chinese (Part 7) Jan 11, 2021

We bring this light but informative series about the history of the Thai Chinese to a close in this 7th episode. This time we wind things down with events that happened during and after WWII with a patented CHP rush to the finish with Thailand's role in the region as a modern economic powerhouse. Thanks, everyone for listening. In the years to come, I plan to return to Thai Chinese history and do some deeper dives into some of the people and events.

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Ep. 264 | The History of the Thai Chinese (Part 6) Dec 28, 2020

Laszlo continues on with this light but a satisfying overview of the Thai-Chinese. With Field Marshal Phibun in charge in Bangkok, the flames of Thai nationalism are being furiously fanned and the ethnic Chinese inhabitants of Siam are feeling the heat. But with the ultimate defeat of Japan, the Chinese can finally breathe a sigh of relief....or could they?

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Ep. 263 | The History of the Thai Chinese (Part 5) Dec 14, 2020

We leave the 19th century and focus on the events in Siam during the early 20th century. This time we look at some of the histories that happened during the reigns of the progressive king and friend to the Thai Chinese King Chulalongkorn and his son, the not so friendly to the Thai Chinese King Vajiravudh. Whenever flames of nationalism are fanned, certain elements of society are bound to get burnt.

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Ep. 262 | The History of the Thai Chinese (Part 4) Nov 30, 2020

Laszlo continues on with the second half of the 18th century, a prosperous time for the Kingdom of Siam. With all this unprecedented good fortune sloshing around the kingdom thanks to free trade, the demand for labor drew waves of Chinese immigration to this western edge of the South Seas.

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Ep. 261 | The History of the Thai Chinese (Part 3) Nov 16, 2020

In this 261st episode, we'll take the Thai Chinese history a little further up the timeline to the Thonburi Kingdom of Taksin the Great and into the Chakri Dynasty with King Rama I. After shaking things up profoundly in China, the Age of Imperialism will now come knocking on Siam's door. As before and in the years to follow, Siam's ethnic Chinese proved to be a formidable force in keeping the ship of state afloat and prospering while colonialism raged across Southeast Asia.

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Ep. 260 | The History of the Thai Chinese (Part 2) Nov 02, 2020

More 18th-century Thai history. King Phetracha to the end of the Ayudhya Kingdom. The ethnic Chinese contribution to building the foundation of the Thai economy is legendary. Here's where it all began. During this period China, ruled by the Manchu Qing emperors was on a major roll, and Ayudhyan kings were anxious to be friends with Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong. Having the Thai-Chinese around came in handy in a very big way.

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Ep. 259 | The History of the Thai Chinese (Part 1) Oct 19, 2020

In a new series that may or may not take us to the end of 2020, Laszlo looks at the great Kingdom of Thailand and the history of the Chinese immigrants who decided to call that place home. In this Part 1 episode of the new series, we'll focus on the goings-on in the Chinese community during the Ayudhya Kingdom (1350-1767) up to the time of King Phetracha.

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Ep. 258 | Jiang Ziya Oct 02, 2020

In this 258th CHP episode, Laszlo brings you an overview of this hero and strategist from ancient Chinese history. Jiang Ziya’s story takes place during the waning years of the Shang and the founding of the Zhou Dynasty. Consider supporting your humble narrator at https://www.patreon.com/ChinaHistoryPodcast One time PayPal Donation: https://PayPal.Me/ChinaHistoryPodcast

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Ep. 257 | Emily "Mickey" Hahn Sep 21, 2020

Emily Mickey Hahn (1905-1997) was a woman who lived a long and interesting life. Her writings from her years in China from 1935 to 1943 and the dispatches she sent back to The New Yorker Magazine were essential reading for those hungry to learn about China during a time when the world was becoming smaller and more dangerous.

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Ep. 256 | Vincent Chin Sep 07, 2020

With the Xinjiang series behind us, we look at a tragic event from modern Chinese-American history that happened almost four decades ago. The person we will focus on today, Vincent Chin, was living in Detroit, working as a draftsman, and was soon to be married. But then on June 19, 1982 his life took a violent and tragic turn. This story from history concerns the life of Vincent Chin whose death inspired a movement.

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Ep. 255 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 12) Aug 24, 2020

In this final 12th episode we'll look at Xinjiang from 1885 to 1949. More unrest, well intentions gone wrong, Soviet subterfuge and two East Turkestan Republics. And after all the events that happened going back to Qianlong, Xinjiang finally goes out with a whimper in 1949 with the Communist PLA takeover. We'll look at the rogue's gallery of Xinjiang governors/warlords who ran the place from 1912 to 1949. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 254 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 11) Aug 10, 2020

In this penultimate episode of the series Laszlo introduces some of the major happenings in Xinjiang during the waning decades of the Qing Dynasty. After a brief glance at Yaqub Beg and his time in the limelight during the turbulent 1860's and 1870's. We'll finish off with Zuo Zongtang and the Qing re-conquest of Xinjiang. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 253 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 10) Jul 27, 2020

Laszlo is back with more History of Xinjiang. The focus this time in Part 10 will be on the Qing Dynasty during the emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong. The rise and fall of the Zunghar Khanate will also be explored, as well as the violent and tragic aftermath following the Zunghars defeat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 252 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 9) Jul 13, 2020

In this episode, we'll look at the 13th to 17th centuries, Yuan to Qing. After the final end of the Chagatai Khanate, it's going to be non-stop wars, alliances, and betrayals in this portion of Central Asia. The Zunghars will emerge as a new power in Xinjiang that posed a threat to the new Qing Dynasty. That will lead to all kinds of trouble that we'll look at the next episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 251 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 8) Jul 02, 2020

Lots of action happening during the 9th to 13th centuries. We start off with the great Uyghur diaspora that followed after the fall of the Uyghur Khaganate in 840. In this episode, we'll see what happened to them after they arrived in Gansu and Xinjiang. We'll also skim the surface to review the Kara-Khanid and Kara-Khitai Khanates who both had such a profound influence on shaping the future development of Central Asia and the spread of Islam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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US-China Relations 1969-1972 (Part 7) Jun 29, 2020

In this episode, we finish off the 1972 visit of Richard Nixon to the PRC. The series finale looks at the exciting meeting between the two leaders, Nixon and Mao, and relives "the week that changed the world."

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US-China Relations 1969-1972 (Part 6) Jun 28, 2020

In Part 6 of this CHP 10-Year Anniversary Series, Kissinger is deftly trying to get Zhou Enlai to back off on few points. Because the communique could not be finalized General Al Haig was sent back in January to nail down final details for the visit of Nixon in February 1972. And then the moment happens. Nixon lands in Beijing and has that magic moment with Zhou Enlai at the steps of Air Force One.

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US-China Relations 1969-1972 (Part 5) Jun 26, 2020

The drama continues in this Part 5 episode. Kissinger is briefing Nixon on his secret visit in July 1971. Not everything was nailed down in this one single visit. It would take another trip in October to almost but not quite get all the negotiations and preparations taken care of. Nixon announced this breakthrough to the American people in prime time.

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US-China Relations 1969-1972 (Part 4) Jun 23, 2020

Welcome back to the CHP 10-Year special bonus episodes that review US-China relations from 1969 to 1972. This time in Part 4 we see how the talks in Beijing went between two very smooth operators: Zhou Enlai and Henry A. Kissinger. We'll close out the episode with Kissinger back in the States giving his boss, the president, the whole skinny on the July 9-11, 1971 visit and the discussions.

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US-China Relations 1969-1972 (Part 3) Jun 20, 2020

Things are really heating up as we start Part 3 of this special 10-Year Anniversary special program. In this episode, we re-live the drama of ping-pong diplomacy and breakthrough in the talks. Zhou Enlai agrees to meet with Henry Kissinger. The dates of July 9-11, 1971 are agreed upon. And we close this episode with the secret visit to Beijing by Kissinger and the face to face meetings with Zhou Enlai.

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US-China Relations 1969-1972 (Part 2) Jun 18, 2020

Thanks for coming back to Part 2 of this special CHP 10-Year Special Series. The focus is in 1969-1970 with the US and PRC sending signals through their mutual Pakistani, French, and Romanian friends. China is still dealing with a border war with the Soviets. The Vietnam War was not letting up. Finally, Zhou Enlai sends written word that a presidential envoy is welcome to visit and discuss the subject of Taiwan and other matters of mutual concern.

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US-China Relations 1969-1972 (Part 1) Jun 16, 2020

Here is Part 1 of a seven-part series that will come your way over the next 2 weeks. The reason I chose this topic over so many others is this. Looking at the seemingly hopeless state of US-China relations at this time in 2020, it's important to remember we were in similar circumstances before and still found a way to hold our noses and get along with each other all these years.

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Ep. 250 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 7) Jun 15, 2020

In this arguably milestone 250th episode we finally get around to the Uyghurs. Their ancient history is discussed and how they rose from one of several tribes in a Turkic confederation to their own Khaganate. The Tang Dynasty is finished off and a new religion (not Manichaeism, Nestorian Church, Buddhism, or Zoroastrianism) will start knocking on China's door. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 249 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 6) May 29, 2020

We finally make it to the Tang Dynasty and their Protectorate to Pacify the West. Their adventures out in Xinjiang lasted off and on for about a hundred and fifty years. In this episode, I'll try and sort out the major events and players who made up this high point in the Silk Road trade. The history in Xinjiang was dominated by Tang China, various Turkic tribes, and a very powerful and warlike Tibetan Empire.

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Ep. 248 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 5) May 17, 2020

The saga continues, and how exciting it's becoming! The Göktürks, the Sui Dynasty, Buddhism galore, and lots of historic times to all starting to happen. In this Part 5 episode, the plot thickens and Xinjiang is getting a facelift. In a few hundred years you will hardly recognize it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 247 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 4) May 02, 2020

In this episode, we bid farewell to the Han Dynasty and hello to a long period of a disunited China. The states and kingdoms of the basins of Xinjiang catch a bit of a break. We take a quick look at a few of the kingdoms of the southern Tarim Basin as well as Turpan. And what episode would be complete without some nomadic bad guys causing the Chinese so much stress? We also look at the Rouran and the Hephthalites.

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Ep. 246 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 3) Apr 20, 2020

More Han Dynasty for you in this Part 3 episode with a special focus on the great diplomat and general Ban Chao. Back in those Han Dynasty days, Xinjiang was still considered very far away and not so easy to hold onto. From the Han till the Tang, as Silk Road riches continue to grow along the trade routes, China will be in and out of the Western regions and face all kinds of competition for the great wealth contained within the Tarim and Turpan basins.

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Ep. 245 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 2) Apr 06, 2020

In this Part 2 episode, we leave pre-history behind and look at Xinjiang's importance during the Qin and Han dynasties. Here is where the Han Chinese interaction with these lands far to the west began. Though a good portion of today's episode doesn't actually take place in Xinjiang, the story of the Yuezhi, Xiongnu, Zhang Qian, and the rise of Han Dynasty China is central to everything that follows later.

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Ep. 244 | The History of Xinjiang (Part 1) Mar 23, 2020

In this CHP episode, we start a new multi-part series that looks at the history of the land known today as Xinjiang. This series will cover about 4000 years of history starting in this episode with the Tarim Mummies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 243 | Kawashima Yoshiko (Part 3) Mar 08, 2020

In this final installment introducing the life and death of Kawashima Yoshiko, we look at the last decade and a half of her strange and tragic life. In the last episode, her star was on the rise. But after 1933 it's one long slow steady decline into madness and despair.

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Ep. 242 | Kawashima Yoshiko (Part 2) Feb 24, 2020

We continue on with Part 2 of the strange life of the Manchu Princess, Kawashima Yoshiko. Now she's on her own, in China, without any "adult supervision" and in full sartorial splendor. The early years of the 1930's are presenting a few opportunities for Yoshiko after making all kinds of new "friends" in Shanghai.

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Ep. 241 | Kawashima Yoshiko (Part 1) Feb 10, 2020

We leave the warlords behind but not the time period. This time, in this first of a three part series, we examine the strange and tragic life of Kawashima Yoshiko. Born a princess in the Manchu Qing royal family, she went on to have quite an extraordinary life. In this Part 1 episode we'll look at her early days and rehash some old Qing Dynasty history from the 17th century.

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Ep. 240 | The Warlord Era (Part 10) Jan 27, 2020

In this concluding episode, we close the book on this China Warlord Era overview that began in 1916 and lingered on and on until 1930. By the time it was over Japan was on the cusp of their invasion of Manchuria plunging China into another national crisis. In Part Ten we'll look at Zhang Zongchang's Warlord Rebellion in Northeast Shandong and a special focus on Liu Zhennian, the Red Spears, and the Central Plains War.

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Ep. 239 | The Warlord Era (Part 9) Jan 11, 2020

As the Northern Expedition ramps up and the Warlord Era starts to wind down, there's still plenty of action and violence to go around. In this episode, we look at the events following the Shanghai Massacre when Chiang and his "ally" Wang Jingwei take the fight to Zhang Zuolin's northern warlord alliance. The Manchurian Warlords meets his end in this episode. We'll finish off the series next time in Part 10.

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Ep. 238 | The Warlord Era (Part 8) Dec 30, 2019

Part 8 in this series first presents a brief overview of "The Model Governor" Yan Xishan and his home province of Shanxi. After some daring moves on Chiang Kai-shek's part, he bests his opponents and takes control of the KMT and the National Revolutionary Army. Under his command, Chiang launches the Northern Expedition. This episode will focus on the fateful years of 1926-1927.

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Ep. 237 | The Warlord Era (Part 7) Dec 16, 2019

In this Part 7 episode, the decade of battling warlords is coming to an end. Anhui and Zhili, then Zhili and Fengtian...and then Zhili and Fengtian again. The last of these series of clashes between warlords contending for supremacy in China will be the Anti-Fengtian War (covered in this very episode). After 1925 everyone had had enough with these military governors. Was anyone going to step up and take them on and deal with the warlords once and for all?

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Ep. 236 | The Warlord Era (Part 6) Dec 02, 2019

Things were looking on the up and up for Wu Peifu after his defeat of Zhang Zuolin in the First Zhili-Fengtian War. In this episode, we look at the years 1922-24 and the Second Zhili-Fengtian War. And you can't talk about the Second Zhiuli-Fengtian War without also mentioning the Jiangsu-Zhejiang War. The Christian Warlord Feng Yuxiang is featured in this episode. Besides the old stalwarts, also mentioned in this episode will be Lu Yongxiang, Qi Xieyuan, Sun Chuanfang, and Zhang Zongchang.

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Ep. 235 | The Warlord Era (Part 5) Nov 18, 2019

In Part 5 Laszlo gives the backstory to the Anhui-Zhili War and introduces another warlord, the famous Zhang Zuolin…The Manchurian Warlord. With this civil war within the Beiyang Organization, the unity that existed since the time of Yuan Shikai is smashed. We'll look at the very brief war between the forces of Duan Qirui and their Zhili opponents led by Wu Peifu as well as the aftermath up to and including the First Zhili-Fengtian War, 1922-1924.

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Ep. 234 | The Warlord Era (Part 4) Nov 02, 2019

The saga continues with the splintering of the Beiyang Army into factions or cliques who will battle each other for supremacy of the government. Hubei military governor Wang Zhanyuan will be examined as one of the textbook examples of how these generals evolved into warlords. Zhili Clique leaders Cao Kun and Wu Peifu will also be introduced.

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Ep. 233 | The Warlord Era (Part 3) Oct 21, 2019

The saga continues as the demise of Yuan Shikai is followed by the rise of Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang. The Beiyang Military machine begins to crack into two main factions or cliques. In this episode, we will also hear about the exploits and imperial dreams of the Mafoo Warlord, Zhang Xun. And as the world mainly focused on the Great War in Europe, these two years of 1917-1918 were filled with so many momentous events in Republican China.

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Ep. 232 | The Warlord Era (Part 2) Oct 06, 2019

We looked at the setup for the Warlord Era last episode. This time in Part 2 we focus on the rise and fall of Yuan Shikai and all the measures he took between 1911-1916. These all primed the pump for the Warlord Era that followed his sudden death in June 1916.

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Ep. 231 | The Warlord Era (Part 1) Sep 23, 2019

After years of requests to cover this topic, Laszlo finally gets around to the history of China's Warlord Era that lasted from 1916 to 1928 and into the Nanjing Decade. In this Part 1 episode, Laszlo gives some background into the historical developments that led to the rise of, who some call, the first warlord, Yuan Shikai.

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Ep. 230 | Pirate and Mongol Slayer Qi Jiguang Sep 09, 2019

In this episode, Laszlo introduces one of the great military heroes of the Ming Dynasty. Though rather well-known to Chinese who went through the public school systems of Greater China, little is known of him elsewhere. Qi Jiguang helped to rid the China coast of pirates (Wōkòu) and through his epic Great Wall restoration engineering project he kept the Mongol menace at bay and preserved the Ming Dynasty for an additional half-century.

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China Tripping With Perry Link, Paul Pickowicz, and Jeremy Murray (Part 1) Sep 06, 2019

In this special CHP episode produced in partnership with the 21st Century China Center at the University of California-San Diego, I am honored and privileged to host a discussion with the three editors of the new book "China Tripping - Experiencing the Everyday in the People's Republic." I hope you will delight in this program brought to you in two parts. It was both riveting and insightful for me to hear Paul Pickowicz, Perry Link and Jeremy Murray speak about the making of the book and listening to their own excerpts that were as brief as they were rich and meaningful. I hope you'll enjoy this as much as I enjoyed being the host.

https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538123690/China-Tripping-Encountering-the-Everyday-in-the-People%E2%80%99s-Republic Jeremy A. Murray is an Associate Professor of History at California State University, San Bernardino. Perry Link is Chancellorial Chair for Teaching Across Disciplines at the University of California, Riverside. Paul G. Pickowicz is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History and Chinese Studies at the University of California, San Diego.

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China Tripping With Perry Link, Paul Pickowicz, and Jeremy Murray (Part 2) Sep 06, 2019

In this special CHP Part 2 episode produced in partnership with the 21st Century China Center at the University of California-San Diego, I am honored and privileged to host a discussion with the three editors of the new book "China Tripping - Experiencing the Everyday in the People's Republic." I hope you will delight in this program brought to you in two parts. It was both riveting and insightful for me to hear Paul Pickowicz, Perry Link and Jeremy Murray speak about the making of the book and listening to their own excerpts that were as brief as they were rich and meaningful. I hope you'll enjoy this as much as I enjoyed being the host. https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538123690/China-Tripping-Encountering-the-Everyday-in-the-People%E2%80%99s-Republic Jeremy A. Murray is Associate Professor of History at California State University, San Bernardino. Perry Link is Chancellorial Chair for Teaching Across Disciplines at the University of California, Riverside. Paul G. Pickowicz is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History and Chinese Studies at the University of California, San Diego.

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Ep. 229 | The Walled City of Kowloon Aug 25, 2019

Laszlo finally gets around to one of the most requested topics of all time, the Walled City of Kowloon in Hong Kong. In this episode, the history behind the Kowloon Walled City is introduced from its humble beginnings starting in the Southern Song to its later demolition during the early 1990's.

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Ep. 228 | The Seven Great Singing Stars of Shanghai (Part 3) Aug 11, 2019

We finish off the series on the Seven Great Singing Stars of Shanghai by examining the lives of the three remaining women, Li Xianglan, Yao Li, and Zhou Xuan. Yao Li sadly passed away only a month ago on July 19. I hope you enjoyed this little three-part overview covering the lives of many of these early 20th century singers and musicians who gave us this amazing sound that's still enjoyed by millions around the world. Their music is freely available all over the internet and on Spotify.

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Ep. 227 | The Seven Great Singing Stars of Shanghai (Part 2) Jul 28, 2019

In this second part of the series Laszlo and special guest Spun Counterguy introduce Bai Hong, Bai Guang, Gong Qiuxia and Wu Yingyin. These four superstars of that golden era of music and entertainment left behind a string of hits that still inspires feelings of reminiscence for those days gone by. Yao Li, who sadly passed away recently on July 19, 2019 as well as Li Xianglan and Zhou Xuan will be covered in Part 3.

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Ep. 226 | The Seven Great Singing Stars of Shanghai (Part 1) Jul 15, 2019

In this latest CHP installment, Laszlo finally gets around to introducing The Seven Great Singing Stars of old Shanghai whose performing skills on the silver screen and on 78 records provide us with a nostalgic glimpse of long-gone and controversial era. In this Part 1 episode, we will focus on the one who made it all possible, the talented Li Jinhui. Mr. Spun Counterguy from the "In the Corner Back By the Woodpile" podcast joins Laszlo to assist in telling this story.

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Ep. 225 | The History of Tang Poetry (Part 8) Jun 30, 2019

Our eight-part series on the history of Tang Poetry concludes with this episode that looks at the lives of three more poets: Li He, Du Mu, and Li Shangyin. And for an encore, Laszlo will recite poems from all three of these greats. The Late Tang period of Chinese poetry was marked with all the signs of an imperial house in decline. It was a sad and melancholy time and quite a few Late Tang poems expressed the hopelessness felt during these sorrowful years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 224 | The History of Tang Poetry (Part 7) Jun 16, 2019

In this seventh installment of the history of Tang poetry we move on to the Middle Tang period. While the poetry might not be as celebrated as that produced during the High Tang, there were still many figures beloved in their own time and all through the centuries. We'll look at three of them in this episode: Bai Juyi, Yuan Zhen and Xue Tao. Next episode we'll finish off the series with the Late Tang poets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ep. 223 | The History of Tang Poetry (Part 6) Jun 02, 2019

Laszlo finishes up the High Tang period of Chinese poetry. Wang Wei and Meng Haoran are showcased in this episode.

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Ep. 222 | The History of Tang Poetry (Part 5) May 19, 2019

This is the Du Fu episode. Along with Li Bai, discussed last episode, he's considered the greatest poet in Chinese history. That's of course a matter of opinion. We'll take a brief look at the rough road Du Fu had to walk most of his years. In addition to looking at his life we'll hear a few of his regulated verse poems.

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Ep. 221 | The History of Tang Poetry (Part 4) May 05, 2019

Li Bai is showcased in this fourth installment of Laszlo's not very deep dive into the history of Tang poetry. We're still in the High Tang period of Chinese poetry. This episode will focus more on Li Bai's story (and legend) rather than an in-depth analysis of his poetry. He, along with several other poets from this time are cultural icons and treasures of the Chinese people. Check the links and resources for other scholarly and biographical info on Li Bai, Du Fu and other great Tang poets. This episode is especially geared towards those CHP listeners who may have never heard these names before.

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Ep. 220 | The History of Tang Poetry (Part 3) Apr 21, 2019

Finally in this part 3 episode Laszlo gets to the Tang poetry part of the series. After finishing up some of the good stuff that came out of the Six Dynasties, we'll get a first look at the Early and High Tang periods. More poets and more great poetry compilations will also be introduced. A lot of names and titles of works this episode. Feel free to check the terms from the episode and read up on some of them. Plenty of links to translated works of Classical Chinese poetry. If this series is piquing your interest, even a little, there's a whole world out there for you to explore.

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Ep. 219 | The History of Tang Poetry (Part 2) Apr 08, 2019

In Part 2 Laszlo will finish up an overview of pre-Tang poetry and show where everything went from the Classic of Poetry and Songs of Chu. Fu rhapsodies, Yue Fu poetry and the works from the Jian'an era will be introduced. Tang poetry didn't arise out of nothing. It was the collective genius and creativity of all these pre and post-Qin Chinese literati who built the foundation that the Tang masters built on. Please come back for Part 3 where we'll finally get to the early Tang (maybe).

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Ep. 218 | The History of Tang Poetry (Part 1) Mar 24, 2019

In this first of a series introducing the history of the development of Chinese poetry, Laszlo focuses on the two most important works from Pre-Qin China. These were the Classic of Poetry and the Songs of Chu. Though we will not get to the Tang Dynasty in this episode, we'll look at what came prior and how each new style impacted newer emerging styles of poetry. The life of Qu Yuan and Chu Kingdom will also be introduced.

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Ep. 217 | The History of the Hokkien People (Part 2) Mar 09, 2019

Laszlo continues his shallow dive into the Hokkien people with a focus on the history of the Hokkien diaspora who populated many cities and towns throughout Southeast Asia.

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Ep. 216 | The History of the Hokkien People (Part 1) Feb 26, 2019

We're back in ancient times once again, this time looking at the homeland of the Hokkien people. As we've done with other groups of Southern Chinese (Teochew, Toi San, Hakka) this time Laszlo provides a broad overview of the people from the south of Fujian Province, the Hokkien or Hoklo people. Before we get into the Qing era diaspora, Laszlo focuses on how Fujian developed from a land populated by Yuè people to a part of Han Dynasty China with a focus on the Minyue Kingdom.

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Ep. 215 | V.K. Wellington Koo (Part 2) Feb 10, 2019

In this longer than expected Part 2 episode, we look at Wellington Koo's role in the Paris Peace Conference and all the drama that surrounded this historic event from one hundred years ago. Then we'll look at the rest of Koo's career as a statesman, diplomat, and later as a judge.

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Ep. 214 | V.K. Wellington Koo (Part 1) Jan 27, 2019

With the centenary of the Paris Peace Conference now upon us this month, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to commemorate the event by introducing the life of Wellington Koo. In this first of a two-part series, we will look at the historical events that shaped his early life and career. In this Part 1 episode, we will look at the backstory and set up for the Conference.

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Ep. 213 | The History of the Jewish Refugees in China (Part 6) Jan 12, 2019

In this final episode of the series, Laszlo introduces the Shanghai Ghetto, the final years of WWII and the aftermath. Please check the show notes at the web site for all kinds of books and videos from this period. Thanks to everyone who made it through all six episodes.

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Ep. 212 | The History of the Jewish Refugees in China (Part 5) Dec 30, 2018

The drama continues with the final arrivals of European Jewish refugees into Shanghai, 1941-42. Afterward, the China option, that had previously served as a safety net for Jews seeking refuge far from the Nazi's, was no longer available. Sugihara Chiune, Tadeusz Romer, Laura Margolis and others are also introduced in this episode. The series will conclude in the next episode.

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Ep. 211 | The History of the Jewish Refugees in China (Part 4) Dec 17, 2018

Laszlo looks at Japanese attitudes towards the Jews and how it affected their treatment in Shanghai. The focus will be on the year 1939 when the greatest wave of Jewish refugees arrived in Shanghai. Then we will look at a little-known tidbit from history concerning a plan championed by Sun Ke (son of Sun Yat-sen) to rescue Europe's Jews.

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Ep. 210 | The History of the Jewish Refugees in China (Part 3) Nov 29, 2018

This third episode in a series examining the history of the Jewish refugees who found sanctuary on the east coast of China focuses on escalating events in Europe around 1938-1939. With the consolidation of Hitler's rise, it didn't bode well for many Jews. As the countdown to Kristallnacht gets closer the situation becomes more urgent and Shanghai as a destination becomes more popular. The great humanitarian He Fengshan (何凤山) will also be introduced.

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Ep. 209 | The History of the Jewish Refugees in China (Part 2) Nov 18, 2018

With the story of the Harbin Jews mostly out of the way, Laszlo moves on to the smaller and less known Jewish community of Tianjin. Then as the 1930s unfold and after Hitler came to power, our story shifts to the European Jews. In this episode, we'll look at the events leading up to Kristallnacht in November 1938. In Part 3 we'll focus on 1938 and 1939.

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Ep. 208 | The History of the Jewish Refugees in China (Part 1) Oct 22, 2018

Laszlo is back with a new series that looks at the history of the Jewish refugees who came to China during the first part of the twentieth century. In this episode, after a long drawn-out intro that examines a bit of background on Jewish history, Laszlo explains how many Jews made their way to China to escape hard times back home. In the next episode, the story will continue with more from Harbin, Tianjin, and Shanghai.

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Ep. 207 | The Forgotten Chinese Labour Corps Sep 01, 2018

In commemoration of the American Labor Day Holiday, Laszlo brings you a rather forgotten tale from the annals of Chinese modern history. As discussed in previous CHP episodes, the Chinese Labour Corps played a thankless but critical role in the allied victory over Germany in WWI. Who could have predicted the series of events that would happen as a result of the story of these men and the subsequent peace treaty that didn't recognize them or their country?

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Ep. 206 | Robert van Gulik and Judge Dee Aug 16, 2018

In this episode, Laszlo introduced the great Nederlander Robert van Gulik. In his relatively short life, van Gulik made a name for himself as a scholar, diplomat, and writer. Judge Dee was based on the historical person Di Renjie, an important official and minister of state during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian. Van Gulik was fascinated with the Chinese "gong'an" detective novel genre of literature and did a lot to popularize it around the world.

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Ep. 205 | Ing “Doc” Hay, Lung On and the Kam Wah Chung Jul 20, 2018

Laszlo presents another story from the annals of Chinese-American history. This one takes place during the Exclusion years and spotlights the Chinese colony of Eastern Oregon. This is the story of Ing "Doc" Hay and his lifelong friend and business partner Long On, two Toi Son immigrants who built their American dream on the frontier. Ing Hay was a trained Chinese herbal doctor and pulmonologist and he brought this unique skill to the American West.

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Ep. 204 | The History of Chinese Martial Arts, Wing Chun and Ip Man (Part 2) Jun 24, 2018

We continue on from the last episode's overview of the Chinese martial arts history timeline. Today we zero in on the history and (mostly) legends behind the Wing Chun style of king fu. Thanks to Detroit's attorney and unofficial Wing Chun ambassador Michael Benkstein for all the support and input that went into this series. And thanks also to Peter Söderbaum for his kind comments ==

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Ep. 203 | The History of Chinese Martial Arts, Wing Chun and Ip Man (Part 1) Jun 16, 2018

Don't be fooled by the title. Wing Chin and Ip Man will be covered next episode. Today's the first in a two-part series that offers up a survey of the development of martial arts in China from the mythical times of the Yellow Emperor to the present day.

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Ep. 202 | The History of China-Vietnam Relations (Part 6) May 11, 2018

From Zhao Tuo to the present day, the history of the relations of these two great countries and frenemies is a great story. In this episode we enter the 20th century and explore the end of French domination in Indochina, Vietnam's fight to unify the country and the most recent Sino-Viet history. Although this six-part series was only a simple 走马看花 overview of the subject, I hope anyone not schooled in the basics of this history is leaving the table satisfied. Cảm ơn đã lắng nghe!

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Ep. 201 | The History of China-Vietnam Relations (Part 5) May 01, 2018

The series picks up in the early part of the Later Lê and finishes off in the 19th century with the arrival of La France and the beginnings of Indochine. Many heroes from Vietnam history will make appearances in this episode. Be sure to come back next time for the exciting conclusion of this overview of China-Vietnam Relations.

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Ep. 200 | The History of China-Vietnam Relations (Part 4) Apr 13, 2018

In this landmark 200th episode Laszlo carries the story of China-Vietnam forward, beginning with the three Mongol invasions of Đại Việt during the Trần Dynasty. We'll get as far as the great (Later) Lê Dynasty founding emperor and resistance hero Lê Lợi.

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Ep. 199 | The History of China-Vietnam Relations (Part 3) Mar 30, 2018

The CHP series covering the history of China-Vietnam Relations continues with Part 3. This episode will take the history all the way up to the Tran Dynasty on the eve of the Mongol invasions from Yuan Dynasty China. Heroes from Vietnam history making an appearance in this episode include Ngô Quyền, Lê Hoàn, Lý Thái Tổ, Lý Thường Kiệt, and Trần Thái Tông. I'll keep everything listed in the terms from each episode found on the webpage at teacup.media.

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Ep. 198 | The History of China-Vietnam Relations (Part 2) Mar 25, 2018

Shi Xie's impact on bringing Chinese culture to the Jiao region is discussed. For most of this period, Vietnam remained under the direct administrative control of China. Aside from a few quiet moments, there was sustained local unrest to deal with. Either local Viets were rising up against their Chinese overlords or there was a constant battle being fought with Lao, Linyi, Champa, and other tribes, states, and kingdoms that surrounded Vietnam to the west and south.

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Ep. 197 | The History of China-Vietnam Relations (Part 1) Mar 20, 2018

In this first of a multipart series, Laszlo explores the ancient relationship between China and Vietnam. In this episode, the earliest days going back to Zhao Tuo and the Nanyue Kingdom are discussed. A thousand apologies for the poor editing job splicing the Vietnamese pronunciation. I'm hoping for an A for the effort at least. The remaining episodes will go off more smoothly. Thank you for your understanding.

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Ep. 196 | The British East India Company (Part 2) Feb 27, 2018

Laszlo finishes off this brief overview of The Honorable Company as tea takes center stage in history. It's a very rough landing for the East India Company as their commercial rivals and political enemies gradually put an end to their winning run going back to the 17th century.

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Ep. 195 | The British East India Company (Part 1) Feb 24, 2018

Maybe this isn't the most "China history flavored" topic but The Honorable Company did play a somewhat starring role during the Qing Dynasty starting from about the Jiaqing Emperor. In this first of a two-part series, I am offering you an overview of who they were, where they came from and how they came to be so hated by so many.

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Ep. 194 | The History of Toi San and US Immigration Feb 13, 2018

In this episode, Laszlo looks at U.S. Immigration during the bad old days of Chinese Exclusion. The subject will be examined through the telling of the stories of three rather plain and non-extraordinary brothers from Haiyang Village in Toi San (Taishan in Mandarin). These three Moy brothers were featured in Scott Seligman's 2013 book "Three Tough Chinamen" (Earnshaw Books). In addition to the Chinese Exclusion laws, Laszlo briefly introduces the life of another Toisanese, Ng Poon Chew.

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Ep. 193 | Whitey Smith and Early Shanghai Jazz Jan 27, 2018

In this episode, Laszlo tries something new. This time we look at the life and times of Whitey Smith, an important figure in the context of not only Shanghai Jazz, but the entirety of jazz history.

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Ep. 183 | The Nanjing Massacre (Part 2) May 11, 2017

Laszlo finishes off the overview of the Rape of Nanking as well as the stories of John Rabe, Robert O. Wilson, Minnie Vautrin, Rev. William Magee, and others who directed the Nanjing Safety Zone during the worst weeks of the atrocities. The aftermath of the Nanjing Massacre is also examined.

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Ep. 182 | The Nanjing Massacre (Part 1) May 11, 2017

This is a very emotional, controversial, and sensitive subject for a whole lot of reasons. Over the next two episodes, Laszlo will review material from past episodes to discuss the lead-up to the Massacre. Then in Part 2 the actual event itself as well as the story of the Nanjing Safety Zone and some of the foreigners who became eyewitnesses to the horrors of the Nanjing Massacre, also known as The Rape of Nanking.

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Ep. 181 | The Early Years of Sino-Russian Relations Apr 03, 2017

At last, the early years of Russia-China relations can see the light of day. As you can see, this is another one of those hour-plus episodes that were not long enough for two episodes and a bit overly long for one. This episode primarily covers the beginnings back in the late Ming when they first met and mostly in the Qing where all the history happened.

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Ep. 180 | The Earliest Years of Christianity in China Feb 20, 2017

Many people don't know that the first preaching of Christianity in China pre-dated the Jesuits by more than nine centuries. We'll take a second cursory look at the Jesuits as part of a bigger story that includes Christianity in China during the Tang and Yuan dynasties. We'll see that prior to the arrival of Matteo Ricci, there were two other lesser-known attempts to grow Christianity in China.

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Ep. 179 | The Ancient History of Silk Jan 29, 2017

Thanks to Carole in Virginia for giving me enough of a push to get this episode finally produced. This might have been one of the first ten topics I came up with when I began writing the original list back in 2010. The history of silk is really an amazing testament to humankind's ingenuity and the randomness of life since Neolithic times. I hope you enjoy this episode. It turned out to be a much greater story than I was ever aware of.

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Ep. 178 | William Mesny (Part 2) Jan 10, 2017

In part two of this series examining the forgotten life of William Mesny, we hear the second half of his story in China. We're mostly using author David Leffman's 2016 book "The Mercenary Mandarin".

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Ep. 177 | William Mesny (Part 1) Jan 10, 2017

In this first part of a two-part series, we examine the forgotten life of William Mesny. Drawing from author David Leffman's 2016 book "The Mercenary Mandarin," Laszlo discusses an unknown character from the bad old days of late Qing Dynasty China. Though he never made it to the history books, he nonetheless witnessed and took part in a lot of it. Through Mesny we can once again wander through some of Imperial China's worst years.

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Ep. 176 | The History of the Teochew People Nov 29, 2016

In this episode, Laszlo explains a little about the "Gagi Nang", the 自己人 or 家己弄, known the world over as the Teochew (Chiu Chow or Chaozhou) people. Their language and culture are unique. Their food and Chaozhou culture is celebrated in more places than Chaozhou and not just by the people from that region. There are Chaozhounese people on every continent except maybe Antarctica.

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Ep. 175 | Su Dongpo Oct 27, 2016

In America, we have Washington Irving, Mark Twain, Hemingway, and so on. In China, Su Dongpo, (also known referred to as Su Shi) would be mentioned when rattling off their best of the best. He was definitely a major guy not only in the Song but in the overall world of Chinese culture as well. If you're interested to check out some of his poetry, here's an amazon link to a book of his poems translated by Burton Watson: Selected Poems of Su T'ung-P'o.

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Ep. 174 | The Pirate Queen Zheng Yi Sao Oct 12, 2016

In this latest episode, Laszlo finally gets around to the oft-requested subject of piracy in early 19th century China. Pirates had been a fact of life going back to the most olden days. Mid to late Qing Dynasty the amount of trade being plied on the China coast attracted pirates like never before. Zheng Yi Sao ("Zheng Yi's Wife") was a tough woman from the Pearl River Delta who married the most notorious pirate of his day Zheng Yi.

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Ep. 173 | The Tong Wars of New York Chinatown (Part 3) Sep 02, 2016

Laszlo offers up the exciting conclusion to the 3-part series introducing the Tong Wars.

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Ep. 172 | The Tong Wars of New York Chinatown (Part 2) Aug 29, 2016

In this Part 2 episode the Tong Wars begin in earnest. The first and second Tong Wars are discussed. "Tong Wars, The Untold Story of Vice, Money and Murder in New York's Chinatown" Scott Seligman's Amazon Page The Tong Wars book home page

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Ep. 171 | The Tong Wars of New York Chinatown (Part 1) Jul 27, 2016

In this episode, Laszlo explains the Tong Wars of New York's Chinatown. With the help of Scott Seligman's latest book we go back to late 19th - early 20th century America and focus on New York's Chinatown. These were terribly unpleasant days for most citizens of Chinese ancestry and especially for those immigrants who either had not begun the process or lived in the shadows illegally. For a list of terms used in this episode, check out the CHP website at teacup.media

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Ep. 170 | The Mongol Yuan Dynasty (Part 2) Jun 18, 2016

Laszlo finishes up the story of the Yuan Dynasty, founded in 1271. The parts of China not yet conquered were done in by 1276 and the last holdouts went by 1279. But the Great Yuan didn't last long. This episode takes a nice little overview of the dynasty, its slow demise, and the legacy they left.

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Ep. 169 | The Mongol Yuan Dynasty (Part 1) May 23, 2016

In this long-overdue episode with a deceiving title, we don't actually get around to the Yuan Dynasty. However, a nice handy and confusing overview tracing the rise of the Mongol nation is presented which includes a bio on Genghis Khan. We'll get to the rise of Kublai Khan this time and look at the Yuan Dynasty next episode.

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Ep. 168 | Zhou Enlai (Part 8) Apr 07, 2016

In this bonus one hour plus episode we look at the last six years of Zhou Enlai's life. It was a bittersweet end for Premier Zhou. In between doing great things for China and guiding the country's general well-being, he was forced to play a central role in some of the worst internecine politics in CCP history.

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Ep. 167 | Zhou Enlai (Part 7) Mar 11, 2016

In this longer than expected seventh episode of the series, the Cultural Revolution gets underway, something that Zhou will have to deal with until his dying day. Aside from this, China's illustrious premier also has his hands full with a thousand other responsibilities, both foreign and domestic.

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Ep. 166 | Zhou Enlai (Part 6) Feb 19, 2016

More Zhou Enlai again. This time we look at the second half of the 1950s. Zhou was as busy as ever, setting up the government, handling foreign relations, and dealing with Chairman Mao. This episode will see Zhou during the Gao Gang Affair, Hundred Flowers, Anti-Rightist, San Fan and Wu Fan Campaigns, Land Reform, rapid agricultural collectivization, and the disastrous Great Leap Forward.

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Ep. 165 | Zhou Enlai (Part 5) Feb 04, 2016

Welcome back to Part 5 of our Zhou Enlai series. Today, the focus is on the Korean War and the Geneva Conference. Zhou already enjoyed some degree of international respect from those he had come to know during his Shanghai and Chongqing years. By 1954 he had established himself as a respected tour de force on the world stage and earned begrudging admiration from those who refused to recognize the country for which he was head of state.

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Ep. 164 | Zhou Enlai (Part 4) Dec 19, 2015

In this Part 4 episode of the CHP Zhou Enlai series Laszlo re-tells the always amusing story of when the Americans came around Yan'an to kick the tires of the CCP and see what they were all about. This time Zhou again proves his loyalty and devotion to Mao and as always to China. He gets a real workout as far as developing his role as the Communists (and later China's) chief diplomat.

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Ep. 163 | Zhou Enlai (Part 3) Nov 30, 2015

In this Part 3 episode, the story of Zhou Enlai is taken all the way up to the 1943 Yan'an Rectification Campaign. We'll look at the Zunyi Conference, the Long March, the Xian Incident, and finally the ill-fated Second United Front. At every historic moment, Zhou Enlai was there, playing a lead role.

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Ep. 162 | Zhou Enlai (Part 2) Nov 12, 2015

In this second part of what's shaping up to be a long series, Laszlo picks up at the Zhongshan Gunboat Incident and follows the life of Zhou Enlai through the challenging years of 1926-1934. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-china-history-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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Ep. 161 | Zhou Enlai (Part 1) Nov 05, 2015

In today's Part 1 episode Laszlo explores the early life of Zhou Enlai, growing up in a traditional scholar-officials family that had seen better days. Zhou gets passed from relative to relative. But each step of the way there were mentors and breaks that he was able to make the most of. We can see through his early years and into his teens how Zhou was perfectly trained and tested for the larger job that lay ahead.

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Ep. 160 | Jack Jones and the FAU China Convoy 1945-1951 Oct 04, 2015

Jack Jones' story is told today in this little snapshot of a little-known organization that operated in 1940's China known as The Friends Ambulance Unit later renamed the Friends Service Unit. It was a Quaker funded charity that operated ambulances, providing urgent medical care and other charitable services during wartime.

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Ep. 159 | Chinese American Stars and Entertainers of Old Hollywood Aug 31, 2015

In this episode, Laszlo focuses on the history of Chinese Americans in the early years of Hollywood. The period will focus on the 1920s to the 1950s. During those years Asian Americans had a rough time in Hollywood trying to break away from stereotypical roles. This episode takes a closer look at the lives of Anna May Wong and Jadin Wong as a window into these times. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-china-history-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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Ep. 158B | The Rise and Fall of the Qin (Part 3) Aug 20, 2015

In this final Part 3 episode we finally get around to Qin Shihuang and the dynasty he founded. He didn’t reign a long time but the First Qin Emperor’s impact on all the dynasties that followed was very long lasting.

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Ep. 158 | The Rise and Fall of the Qin (Part 2) Aug 15, 2015

In this Part 2 of a 3 part series, we'll look at Duke Xiao's secret weapon: Shang Yang. Shang Yang introduced Legalism to the Qin ruler and all kinds of reforms that took the Qin to the next level. We'll also explore the rulers who all benefitted from Shang Yang's political reforms. We'll also look at King Zhaoxiang and his great military advisor Fan Ju. Nobody was laughing at the Qin anymore. By the 3rd century BCE they were becoming the most powerful state in Eastern Zhou China.

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Ep. 157 | The Rise and Fall of the Qin (Part 1) Aug 02, 2015

In this first of three episodes, Laszlo offers up a nice easy overview of Qin Shihuang and the Qin State. In Part 1 we'll look at the ancient beginnings of the Qin and how they caught a few lucky breaks, establishing themselves around Gansu and Shaanxi province, after coming to the aid of the Zhou kings.

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Ep. 156 | Joseph Needham (Part 2) Jul 08, 2015

In this Part 2 episode, Laszlo continues his intro of Joseph Needham in 1943 right after Needham returned from his perilous adventure to the northwest of China to visit the sights of Dunhuang. We'll conclude the life of Joseph Needham in this episode. He truly was, as Simon Winchester called him, "The Man Who Loved China."

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Ep. 155 | Joseph Needham (Part 1) Jun 22, 2015

In this long-awaited topic, Laszlo introduces "The Man Who Loved China", Dr. Joseph Needham. A true friend of China for most of his adult life, Needham's contribution was the epic work "Science and Civilization in China". Today this massive undertaking is spread out over 24 volumes, 17 of which were written in Needham's own lifetime. In this Part 1 episode, we only go up to 1943 and the end of Needham's first expedition in China.

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Ep. 154 | The Secret Nüshu Script May 21, 2015

In this shorter than usual episode, Laszlo introduces a little piece of culture taken from the southern portion of Hunan Province. Generations of illiterate women from a single county on the Hunan-Guangxi border, denied education, created their own writing script. Men never learned it and so it was used by these women to communicate with each other and to record their secret thoughts and inspirations.

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Ep. 153 | The History of Opium in China Apr 27, 2015

In this episode, Laszlo examines remarks made by distinguished UCLA Professor of Public Policy Mark Kleiman who had commented on Britain's participation in the Opium War. Opium's history in China began centuries before, at least during the Tang and maybe as far back as the Eastern Jin. The focus of this episode is on opium's history in China prior to the Opium War.

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Ep. 152 | The Flying Tigers (Part 2) Apr 03, 2015

Laszlo finishes off the CHP overview of the story of the AVG in World War II. In this episode, the battle commences on December 20, 1941. From that point forward until the organization was disbanded on July 4, 1942, the Flying Tigers wrote their name into the history books.

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Ep. 151 | The Flying Tigers (Part 1) Mar 21, 2015

In this Part 1 episode, Laszlo provides all the setup and background for the magnificent story of the American Volunteer Group, known more popularly as The Flying Tigers. Theirs was only an eight-month-long story but their success at a time when all seemed hopeless provided an inspiration to many and showed Japan was not invincible. For a list of the terms used in this episode, please visit the CHP website at teacup.media and go to the episode page.

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Ep. 150 | The History of the Hakka People Feb 28, 2015

In this milestone 150th CHP episode, Laszlo shines a light on the Hakka people and where they fit in Chinese history. There are no shortages of authoritative sources that all disagree as to their origins and when the Hakka’s migrated from where to where. For a list of the terms used in this episode, please visit the CHP website at teacup.media and go to the episode page.

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Ep. 140-21 | History of Tea Recap Jan 30, 2015

That's going to be it for this series, first produced in late 2014 and listened to millions of times on this CHP feed, via the Tea History Podcast feed, and since 2018, fleet-wide on Cathay Pacific Airways. I hope you enjoyed this survey of Chinese tea history. Since this work was first produced seven years ago I've had the great pleasure to meet so many of you and to enjoy tea together. The series ends here with a brief recap of what was discussed. My deepest thanks to all of you for listening.

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Ep. 140-20 | Famous Teas of China Part 2 Jan 29, 2015

Our survey of the Famous Teas of China continues with a tour of more tea-producing provinces. Teas such as Dancong, Tieguanyin, Jinjunmei, and Da Hong Pao are introduced. Various teas from Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Hubei, and Hunan are also mentioned. All of them are conveniently obtainable from your favorite online tea purveyor and local tea shop.

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Ep. 140-19 | Famous Teas of China Part 1 Jan 28, 2015

To wind down this History of Tea series let's go from province to province and look at a variety of famous teas such as Longjing, Gunpowder, Huangshan Maofeng, Lu'an Guapian, Xinyang Maojian, Taiping Houkui and a few others. All of the teas to be introduced here, all began their brilliant careers as tribute teas sent annually to the emperor. You too can savor these teas fit for an emperor by purchasing them online at any number of online (and offline) tea sellers. There are thousands of different teas in the world. In this episode and in Part 20, we'll look at a few of them.

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Ep. 140-18 | Pu-Erh Tea Jan 27, 2015

In this episode, we focus on the category of tea that is most admired by many tea experts the world over. Pu-Erh tea was introduced sometime during the Ming Dynasty and in time, became the oft-called "King of Teas" for its rich and unique flavor, wholly unlike any other tea produced in China. Here we will look at the story of Pu-Erh tea and why it is considered to be so special among countless tea experts.

For a good source of Pu-Erh teas, try my friend at https://www.banateacompany.com/

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Ep. 140-17 | The Tea Secret Gets Out Jan 26, 2015

Processing tea leaves was never an intuitive process. That's one reason it took so long for others to figure out how to do it. But as it was with silk, once you saw how it was done, it wasn't a terribly difficult process to master and even improve upon. In this Part 17 episode, we see how Robert Fortune gathered the tea seeds, plants, tools, and experts and got them to the Indian highlands. There, a British dream team of botanists and horticulturalists take over the job begun by Robert Fortune. Their hard work helped to launch the tea industry in India. We also look at James Taylor's efforts to plant tea in Ceylon and how his business-savvy partner in this venture brought tea to the world. This partner was Thomas J. Lipton, the one who brought us the ubiquitous Lipton Tea. What a character he was!

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Ep. 140-16 | The Tea Breakthrough Jan 25, 2015

The hero who assured Robert Fortune's success was Dr. Nathanial Bagshaw Ward. His life and work is introduced this time. Ward's invention of the terrarium was the one thing that ensured Fortune's hard work in China wouldn't be wasted. We see how Fortune went into China, scored plants and tea seeds from Zhejiang, Anhui, and Fujian, and transported everything safely to India.

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Ep. 140-15 | A Fortune for the East India Company Jan 24, 2015

The mid 19th Century brought another sea change to the tea industry. Demand continued to grow all over Europe and North America. China's tea industry, which depended mainly on countless artisanal tea growers rather than a few large-scale producers, creates bottlenecks and unreliability in the tea supply chain. The demand had become more than China's exporters could handle. This was also due in part to the well-known political and social disasters happening in China during the second half of the 19th century. The British East India Company begins to put serious consideration into growing tea in India to cut the Chinese out.

We also meet Charles Bruce, the Father of India's Tea Industry. We also encounter the botanist, horticulturist, and man of adventure Robert Fortune. We close the episode with the exploits of Fortune's first China trip and his discovery that green and black teas both come from the exact same species of plant, Camellia sinensis. The famous Guangcai porcelain 光彩 of Guangzhou (Canton) is also briefly explained.

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Ep. 140-14 | Tea and Opium Jan 23, 2015

Midway through the Qing Dynasty trouble is brewing, along with the tens of millions of pounds of tea annually exported to Britain. The Qianlong Emperor rebuffs Britain's envoy and puts a major damper on the prospects of China trade. Britain finds the perfect commodity to trade for tea, Patna Opium from India. This ultimately leads to conflict culminating in the Opium Wars.

Why this war is misnamed is also explained. This was the age of the China Clipper ships and imperialism at its worst. New black teas are also discussed, including Lapsang Souchong and the one black tea that local Chinese didn't turn their nose up at: Keemun 祁门茶.

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Ep. 140-13 | Don't Tax My Tea Jan 22, 2015

The tea trade transforms into an entire industry and becomes the most important traded commodity of the British East India Company. Twining's emerges onto the scene along with coffeehouse culture where tea was also to be had. Over in the American colonies, the Yanks embrace tea as much as the Brits. Milk and sugar with tea become all the rage. And when the Her Majesty's government starts hitting up the American colonists with the Indemnity Acts of 1767, the Townshend Acts in 1770, and finally, the Tea Act of 1773, it leads to the Bostin Tea Party and an eventual "parting of ways" between the colonists and their British masters.

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Ep. 140-12 | Tea-mania Takes Europe By Storm Jan 21, 2015

As tea did everywhere it was introduced to, Europeans were no less enthusiastic than anyone else. It started off with the royals and aristocrats. But once prices came down and the haves and have-nots both got to enjoy it, the demand will become insatiable. The Russian tea caravans are also explored in this episode.

Though their tea culture was different from the ways of the Europeans, Russian people loved their tea no less. During the Qing Dynasty, tea just kept getting better. We look at the tea-loving Qianlong Emperor and his contributions to tea culture. We close the episode with the story of John Dodd and Li Chunsheng, the fathers of Taiwan's tea industry.

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Ep. 140-11 | Europeans Discover Tea Jan 20, 2015

During the late 16th century, the Jesuit Fathers become the first Europeans to drink tea. Soon afterward the Portuguese and Dutch traders start poking their noses around China and Japan. They too learn of this amazing beverage and see excellent prospects in their home markets. By the early 17th century The Dutch and British East India Companies are engaging in tea commerce. Though the Chinese at first wouldn't be caught dead drinking black tea, this too is discovered by the European traders and the rest is history.

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Ep. 140-10 | Yixing Teaware and the Gongfu Tea Ceremony Jan 19, 2015

More Ming Dynasty tea history this time. Innovations from China's tea artisans further improved the taste and experience of tea. The famous "zisha" 紫砂 clay teapots and tea ware from Yixing 宜兴 are introduced as well as their role in the Gongfu Tea Ceremony. As the second half of the Ming Dynasty starts to wind down in the late 16th-early 17th century, the Europeans will soon be knocking on China's door. They too will discover the goodness and greatness of tea with historic consequences.

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Ep. 140-9 | The Ming Dynasty Tea Revolution Jan 18, 2015

Tea's epic story continues on the heels of the advances made in tea production and tea culture during the Song. After surviving the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, Camellia sinensis experiences a sea change of improvements beginning with Ming Dynasty founding emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang. Now tea starts to become more familiar to us after this Hongwu Emperor demands that all future tribute teas must be sent in loose-leaf form.

With the introduction of loose-leaf tea came greater demands for tea-ware. The history of the kilns of Jingdezhen 景德镇 is introduced, along with their calling card: Blue and White porcelain, China's first global brand. Other innovations such as teas scented with flowers and the "Tea Manual" of Zhu Quan 朱权 are also discussed.

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Ep. 140-8 | Ladies and Gentlemen, Oolong Tea Jan 17, 2015

The loving embrace of tea given by those of the Buddhist faith continues on into the Song Dynasty. Some Chan Buddhist master came up with the term "Tea and Chan Buddhism are one taste" 茶禪一味. There's also more about sad Emperor Huizong, the birth of white tea, and Japan's great Buddhist monk Myōan Eisai. We'll end this eighth installment of the history of tea with an intro to Wulong (Oolong) Tea and the emergence of the Wuyi Mountains 武夷山 in northern Fujian province as a tea powerhouse.

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Ep. 140-7 | Tea During the Song Dynasty Jan 05, 2015

The once bitter brew sharing a Chinese character with the one used for a bitter vegetable is now long a thing of the past. Starting around a thousand or more years ago, royals, officials, scholars, and common people are now enjoying tea. The literati of the day (and there were quite a few) write poems and paint paintings, inspired by this beverage that has taken China by storm. We also look at one of the greatest royal patrons of tea in Chinese history, the Northern Song Dynasty Emperor Huizong 宋徽宗 who reigned from 1100-1126 AD.

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Ep. 140-6 | Camellia sinensis, Superstar Dec 28, 2014

In the post-Lu Yu world, tea starts to take off like a rocket. It will take a little longer for tea to get the needed traction in Japan but during the Tang, Japanese get to see it and appreciate it up close. We'll also look at one of the early "Tea Persons", the poet and recluse Lu Tong, as well as one of his most famous tea poems, "Seven Bowls of Tea". Now that tea had caught on in society, people needed the various tea accouterment. This is where teaware starts to evolve and we'll look at Yue ware and Xing ware, two of the earliest styles of teacups.

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Ep. 140-5 | The Classic of Tea Dec 20, 2014

We looked at Lu Yu last time and all that he did to popularize the merits of tea in the Tang Dynasty. This time, we give a once-over to his masterpiece, The Cha Jing 茶经 or Classic of Tea. The national popularity of tea in China really catches fire after Lu Yu shows everyone how to enjoy it and enjoy life at the same time. As far as the popularity and necessity of tea in the life of people acquainted with the beverage, it's never the same after this.

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Ep. 140-4 | The Sage of Tea Dec 13, 2014

Thank you for your patience. In this fourth installment of the history of tea, we finally make it to the immortal Tea Saint. Lu Yu 陆羽. What Elvis was to rock n' roll, Lu Yu was to the popularity of tea in Chinese society. Here we'll look at his interesting life and his work, "The Classic of Tea" 茶经. From here on out, tea 茶 is no longer tú 荼, and neither is it bitter.

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Ep. 140-3 | Tea Hits the Big Time Dec 06, 2014

After centuries of trial and error, tea starts to transform from a bitter medicinal brew into something worthy of presenting to the emperor as tribute. Tea's development during the 326 years of the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907 AD) is introduced this time. Not only do the people of China embrace tea. Those people who surrounded China to the north and to the west also took a quick liking to this drink. The important role tea played in Tibet and other border regions is also discussed, as well as the fabled trade route known as the ancient Tea-Horse Road 茶马古道.

The Tea Saint, Lu Yu will be saved for the next episode. Be sure to come back again.

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Ep. 140-2 | Tea, A bitter brew in Bronze Age China Nov 30, 2014

Tea might not have tasted so great in Shen Nong's time and for a thousand years thereafter. But progress was being made and tea's evolution starts to make some headway in China's Bronze Age that began around 2000 BC. But tea remained one bitter brew during these earliest centuries. It remained a work in progress but showed tremendous promise (as we'll see in future episodes)

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Ep. 140-1 | Tea's Ancient Beginnings Nov 21, 2014

In this first episode, we'll explore tea's humble beginnings in the Ba 巴国 and Shu 蜀国 States in today's Sichuan province. We'll also look at the mythical story of the discovery of tea by the Divine Farmer, Shen Nong. We have a long way to go as far as tea's history is concerned. The teas we love and enjoy today, a few millennia ago in Shen Nong's time, also, still had a long way to go. Over the next twenty episodes, we'll look at the history of Chinese tea and as it transforms into a beverage that many of us couldn't do without.

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Ep. 139 | Sir Edmund Backhouse (Part 3) Jul 24, 2014

In this episode, we will conclude our CHP overview of the life of Sir Edmund Backhouse, 2nd Baronet. In this 3rd part of the series, we’ll look at the last couple of decades of Backhouse’s life. Backhouse remains in Beijing amidst all the turmoil going on during the Japanese invasion and the lead-up to WWII. In his final years, Backhouse will write a memoir that will engrave his name forever in the footnotes of Chinese history.

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Ep. 138 | Sir Edmund Backhouse (Part 2) Jul 24, 2014

Fast on the heels of Part 1 of this CHP overview of the life of the Sinologist Sir Edmund Backhouse, we present Part 2 in this episode. We’ll look at the years 1911 to 1924, the years that Backhouse committed a litany of frauds and established himself in London and Beijing as someone not to be trusted.

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Ep. 137 | Sir Edmund Backhouse (Part 1) Jul 24, 2014

In this episode, we will begin a 3-part series covering the life of Sir Edmund Trelawny Backhouse, 2nd Baronet. He lived from 1873 to 1944, spending more than half his life in Beijing. Backhouse is best known for the various frauds he committed over the period of his life. In his last year of life, he was urged by Dr. Reinhard Hoeppli to commit the fantastical stories of his life to paper.

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Ep. 136 | Wong Chin Foo Jun 28, 2014

I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea in 2021 to resurrect this old episode from mid-2014 that tells the story of Wong Chin Foo (王清福). His spirit is alive and well in many of today's Chinese-Americans who are standing up to anti-Asian sentiment across the country. Like Wing Chin Foo did in the 1870s and 80's, Chinese-American community leaders and citizens are not standing idly by and are fighting back. Wong Chin Foo's story is a good one to listen to. One of my favorite episodes.

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Ep. 135 | The Song Emperor Huizong (Part 4) Jun 01, 2014

In this final installment of the history of the life and times of the emperor Huizong, we look at the series of events that followed the Jürchens’ Seige of Kaifeng in 1126-1127. What followed was the Jingkang Incident, which for centuries made the Chinese bow their heads in shame. The entire Song imperial family was captured and sent north to live out the rest of their lives in the harsh lands far beyond The Great Wall.

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Ep. 134 | The Song Emperor Huizong (Part 3) May 10, 2014

We continue in this episode examining the second decade of Huizong’s reign. The good times lasted about twenty years but all good things can’t go on forever. By 1120 Huizong is going to begin to see the handwriting on the wall. The years we look at today will the years Huizong later on most regrets.

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Ep. 133 | The Song Emperor Huizong (Part 2) Apr 18, 2014

This time in Part 2 of our series we look at Huizong as he attempts to assemble his team and deal with bitter factional strife that was rampant since the Wang Anshi New Reforms. We also look at Huizong the great patron of the arts.

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Ep. 132 | The Song Emperor Huizong (Part 1) Mar 20, 2014

We’re going to begin a new series that will look at political, social, and cultural life in the late Northern Song. The second the last emperor Huizong will serve as our vehicle to examine this period in the late 11th and early 12th century China. University of Washington professor Dr. Patricia Buckley Ebrey has recently published a book entitled Emperor Huizong. I’m going to use this as one of the main sources.

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Ep. 131 | Morris Two-Gun Cohen (Part 2) Mar 02, 2014

We’re going to finish off the last 45 years of Morris Two-Gun Cohen’s life in this extra-long episode. With Sun Yat-sen now gone, Morris Cohen worked hard to reinvent himself and remain relevant in the world of Chinese business and politics. Morris will hit some highs and lows in this episode as he tried to leverage his past association with Sun and his obvious loyalty to the KMT into an ongoing and lucrative career. As you’ll see in this episode, the road was hardly a smooth one.

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Ep. 130 | Morris Two-Gun Cohen (Part 1) Feb 23, 2014

Today I wanted to introduce a sort of lovable rogue who haunted the hotel lobbies of Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, London, and Edmonton. Today’s subject was by no means a historic figure. In fact, I don’t think you can even call him a bit player. Nonetheless, Morris Abraham Cohen had a China story that deserves a telling. Today’s episode will look at his early life, how he ended up in Canada, and how he got hooked up with the local Chinese Canadians.

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Ep. 129 | The Incident at Xuanwu Gate Jan 19, 2014

In this episode, we revisit the founding of the Tang Dynasty and focus on the events leading up to, during, and right after the Incident at Xuanwu Gate. This slice of historic theater took place on July 2, 626. It resulted in the victory of Li Shimin over his two brothers. Not long afterward Li Shimin was promoted by his father to the emperorship and reigned as Tang Taizong.

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Ep. 128 | The History of American Chinese Cuisine Dec 30, 2013

After a record-breaking pause in the action, Laszlo is back with one last episode to finish 2013. This time we look at the interesting and amusing history of Chinese cuisine in America, an oft-requested topic here at the China History Podcast. This is a history that goes hand-in-hand with the earliest Chinese immigration to the US. If you’re interested to learn more on the subject, I strongly recommend checking out the work of Andrew Coe and Jennifer Lee.

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Ep. 127 | The Birth of US-China Relations Nov 27, 2013

In this episode, we take a look at the circumstances and times when the brand spanking new nation of the USA came to a calling to China for the very first time. The so-called “Most Important Relationship in the World” had very humble origins indeed. When representatives of the United States first arrived in Canton in August 1783 they really had a lot of explaining to do about who they were and where they came from.

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Ep. 126 | Yelü Abaoji Nov 04, 2013

This week we look at the Khitan people of the steppes. These people came from the lands between Manchuria and Mongolia. Their most famous son was Yelü Abaoji who took his people to great heights in the early 10th century. His Liao Dynasty in the north of present-day China ran concurrently with the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (as well as the Song Dynasty) that resulted after the breakup of the Tang Dynasty.

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Ep. 125 | Zhuge Liang Oct 20, 2013

In this episode, we explore the life and times of Zhuge Liang (181-234 AD). He’s a very good example of a well-known name from Chinese history that many have heard of but aren’t quite sure why. Zhuge Liang is mostly remembered for his cleverness and many consider him right up there with Sunzi (Sun Tzu) as far as the works of strategy and military science he left behind.

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Ep. 124 | Sir Y.K. Pao Oct 09, 2013

Today after a month-long break the China History Podcast is back with another episode. This time we look at the life and times of Sir Y.K. Pao. In telling the story of Sir Yue-kong Pao (Bao Yugang in Mandarin) we can also relive the periods in China and Hong Kong during the 1960s, 70’s and into the ’80s.

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Ep. 123 | The History of the Chinese in Mexico Sep 03, 2013

The story of the Chinese Mexicans is typical in some respects. They came to Mexico either because they wanted to and saw it as a land of opportunity or they came because it was the next best thing to emigrating to the United States. Many stayed in Mexico despite great hardships and the usual racism directed against them. But most either moved on to try their luck in the US or they were forced out by racist and nationalistic anti-Chinese immigration policies.

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Ep. 122 | The Chinese Civil War (Part 4) Aug 05, 2013

In this part 4 episode, we conclude our overview of the Chinese Civil War. After the Pingjin Campaign ended in January of 1949 it was time for the Communists to finish off what they started. The victory was imminent but by no means would it be easy and simple. The PLA forces dramatically crossed the Yangzi River in May and their great generals led their forces to a smashing victory, finishing off the KMT forces of Chiang Kai-shek by December 1949.

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Ep. 121 | The Chinese Civil War (Part 3) Jul 15, 2013

Welcome back to Part 3 of our overview of the Chinese Civil War. The focus this time will be on the Liaoshen, Huaihai, and Pingjin Campaigns that not only grabbed all of north China and Manchuria for the Communists but the heartland and everything north of the Yangzi River as well.

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Ep. 120 | The Chinese Civil War (Part 2) Jun 30, 2013

This week’s episode focuses mainly on the year 1947. The Americans have now left and the NRA and PLA attack each other with all they got. The years start out well for the Nationalists as they pummel the PLA in Manchuria and in the north. But once the summer offensive begins, it’s a steady stream of bad news for Chiang. Ultimately with the conclusion of the bloody Siping Campaign that ended in March 1948, Manchuria was lost for good. Chiang would never be able to win it back.

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Ep. 119 | The Chinese Civil War (Part 1) Jun 10, 2013

In this week’s episode, we begin a multi-part series covering the Chinese Civil War from 1945 to 1949. In China, this is known as the War of Liberation. In this Part 1, we will look at the background leading up to the war as well as failed attempts by the Americans in 1945-1946 to mediate a peace between Mao’s Communists and the Nationalists led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.

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Ep. 118 | John Service (Part 4) May 19, 2013

This week’s episode runs way into overtime but at least we’re getting through to the end of 1944. The Dixie Mission is in full swing by the end of that year. John Service has established himself in Washington circles as one of the most informed and dynamic China hands.

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Ep. 117 | John Service (Part 3) May 07, 2013

This week’s episode runs way into overtime but at least we’re getting through to the end of 1944. The Dixie Mission is in full swing by the end of that year. John Service has established himself in Washington circles as one of the most informed and dynamic China hands.

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Ep. 116 | John Service (Part 2) Apr 22, 2013

In this second episode covering the life of John S. Service, we take a look at the general situation and the proliferation of mistrust and bad faith in wartime Chongqing. Chiang Kai-shek remains baffled and frustrated with American efforts to cozy up to Mao. He blames the China Hands such as John Service for feeding American officials the CCP propaganda.

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Ep. 115 | John Service (Part 1) Apr 09, 2013

This week we explore the life and times of John S. Service. This original “China Hand” was born in China and grew up in Chengdu and Shanghai. He went on to a brilliant career in the State Department serving in China as a Foreign Service officer during the Second Sino-Japanese War and throughout WWII.

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Ep. 114 | The Shang Oracle Bones Mar 28, 2013

This episode takes a slightly deeper look at the Shang Dynasty and their signature achievement, the oracle bone script. Some of this episode will be a repeat of things covered in Episode 15. Like the oldest parts of the oldest world civilizations a lot of what we “know” is the collective guesswork of the best minds researching the history. From Wang Yirong down to the present generation of scholars, new secrets of the Shang Dynasty oracle bones continue to be revealed.

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Ep. 113 | Dr. Norman Bethune Mar 15, 2013

This week we look at the Canadian and international hero Dr. Norman Bethune. Bethune is a staple among noted western friends and advisors who came to China in 1938 to help the Communists and the people in their struggle against the Japanese. He was not only a great friend of China but a gifted and brilliant man of medicine as well who had a great impact on thoracic surgery in his day.

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Ep. 112 | The Kaifeng Jews Mar 02, 2013

This week we look at a topic many have heard about but aren’t familiar with the details. We look at the early origins of the Jewish people in China and the time of the settlement in Kaifeng, Henan. Although you’d be hard-pressed to find a minyan amongst the native Jews in Kaifeng today, there are efforts being made to revive Judaism in that ancient city. It’s an interesting story that spans a millennium and offers a look at Chinese history from another angle.

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Ep. 111 | The Wu State Feb 19, 2013

This week we delve back into the mists of ancient times to look at the State of Wu from the Spring & Autumn Period. Although they didn’t last long, the Wu State had a major impact on the development of the culture of the Jiangsu/Zhejiang/Shanghai region. There are a number of Wu periods throughout Chinese history, so today we will try to sort them all out.

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Ep. 110 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 10) Feb 10, 2013

In this episode, we will conclude our History of Hong Kong overview. We’ll look at the years following the 1967 riots and the reforms championed by Governor Murray MacLehose in the 1970s and ’80s. We’ll close out this series by looking at the dramatic lead up to and the signing of the Joint Declaration, the Basic Law, and the handover on July 1, 1997.

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Ep. 109 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 9) Jan 21, 2013

In this week’s episode, we look at the year 1967 in Hong Kong. The words “riots” and “1967” go hand in hand when talking about Hong Kong history. Although the events that went down between May and December of 1967 caused death, mayhem, and destruction throughout the territory, when it was all over it led to a sea change in labor rights for Hong Kong workers.

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Ep. 108 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 8) Jan 10, 2013

After a bit of a break, we pick up after the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. The 1950s were a stressful time for Hong Kong with Britain managing a diplomatic balancing act trying to be a good neighbor to the new PRC and to their closest ally, the USA. Thanks to the exodus of Chinese industrialists, from Shanghai mostly, Hong Kong will usher in a manufacturing boom that will transform the economy and the territory’s place in the world.

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Ep. 107 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 7) Dec 24, 2012

We're back with Part 7 of Laszlo's overview of the History of Hong Kong.

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Ep. 106 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 6) Dec 16, 2012

In this latest installment of the CHP History of Hong Kong overview, we look at the years from Governors Nathan to Peel. The modern age comes to Hong Kong along with plenty of fallout and spillover from the upheavals going on in China in the 1920s and ’30s. This was a period when the great pillars of HKL Chinese society rose to fame and fortune: Shouson Chow, Robert Hotung, Kai Ho, Robert Kotewall, and others.

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Ep. 105 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 5) Dec 02, 2012

In this fifth installment of our Hong Kong history overview, we look at the final couple of decades of the 19th century. Hong Kong’s second generation is coming to the fore. They are a better educated and more sophisticated lot than those Chinese who came before them.

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Ep. 104 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 4) Nov 17, 2012

We continue this overview series on the history of Hong Kong. This time we pick up right after the Treaty of Nanjing and look at the early efforts to get this colony up and running. The first couple decades of Crown Colony of Hong Kong weren’t easy and many considered throwing in the towel early.

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Ep. 103 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 3) Nov 09, 2012

Welcome back to Part 3 of Laszlo's overview of the History of Hong Kong.

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Ep. 102 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 2) Oct 27, 2012

In part two of Laszlo’s overview of the history of Hong Kong, we look at the Canton System and the lead-up to hostilities that culminated in the Treaty of Nanjing that ceded Hong Kong in perpetuity to the British crown. In this episode, we’ll get as far as the Convention of Chuenpi of January 20, 1841.

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Ep. 101 | The History of Hong Kong (Part 1) Oct 13, 2012

Laszlo is back after another long delay. In this shorter than usual episode, The China History Podcast presents Part 1 of a multi-part series that will explore the history of Hong Kong. In this introductory episode, Laszlo starts at the very beginning and traces Hong Kong from the Devonian Period all the way up the end of the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century.

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Ep. 99 | Sidney Rittenberg Sep 26, 2012

In this episode, we introduce American Sidney Rittenberg, 李敦白，known by the title of his 1993 book as “The Man Who Stayed Behind.” He arrived in China in his 20’s at the end of WWII and witnessed the Chinese Revolution from a front-row seat. When the US pulled out of China after the war, Sidney Rittenberg stayed behind with his dreams of contributing to the building of a new China. He remained in his adoptive country for 35 years.

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Ep. 98 | Ricci, Schall and Verbiest Sep 17, 2012

In this longer than usual episode, we feature the three giants of the Jesuit China Mission of the 16th and 17th centuries. In addition to their work in introducing Catholicism to China, these three men, Matteo Ricci, Johann Adam Schall von Bell, and Ferdinand Verbiest made a collective contribution to the scholarship of China that has not been matched to this day.

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Ep. 96 | Wang Xizhi Sep 01, 2012

In this episode, we look at Wang Xizhi, a man of letters who achieved greatness during the Eastern Jin dynasty and is called China’s greatest calligrapher. His life and achievements will be explored along with the significance of calligraphy in Chinese culture. We’ll also recall those crazy times in the fourth century AD.

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Ep. 95 | Yue Fei Aug 23, 2012

Like Guan Yu in the previous episode 081, Yue Fei of the Southern Song Dynasty was a heroic and legendary military man in Chinese history. He dedicated his life to resisting the aggression of the Jurchens of the Jin dynasty. The Jurchens had booted the Song dynasty out of northern China in 1127. Yue Fei dedicated his short life to win back those northern lands before falling victim to imperial court politics. And this helped to make him a legend.

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Ep. 94 | Zheng He (Part 3) Aug 15, 2012

We close out our three-part series on the amazing life of Admiral Zheng He and his seven voyages. This time the CHP looks at retired submarine commander Gavin Menzies and his take on what Zheng He achieved. He makes some wild claims that have been savagely attacked by educated people around the world. If not for the fact that early Ming China was advanced enough to carry out these voyages, as Menzies said they happened, they’d be very hard to believe. The debate is far from closed on this subject.

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Ep. 93 | Zheng He (Part 2) Aug 08, 2012

We continue on with the voyages of Zheng He. This time we look at some of the highlights from all seven voyages. Then after the Yong Le and Xuan De emperors pass from the scene, no further emperors are interested to put their seal of approval on any more of these pricey expeditions. With historic consequences, China’s focus turns to protection from the west and northwest of the country rather than engaging in diplomacy and further exploration of the seas and distant lands.

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Ep. 92 | Zheng He (Part 1) Jul 29, 2012

Laszlo is back after more than two weeks on the lam. This time we look at part 1 of a series featuring the great adventurer/explorer/diplomat Zheng He. Zheng He’s seven voyages to India, Persia, and the east coast of Africa created a big sensation in the early 15th century.

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Ep. 91 | Xiang Yu Jul 11, 2012

We’re back in ancient days again, this time the short period in between the Qin and Han Dynasties when two great leaders, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, contended for the throne left vacant by the deceased first emperor of China, Qin Shihuang. Xiang Yu has gone down in the annals of Chinese history as one of the most ferocious and greatest of generals and strategists.

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Ep. 90 | The Cultural Revolution (Part 8) Jul 02, 2012

In this final episode of the Cultural Revolution overview we look at the events that went down in 1976 as well as the massive mopping-up operation that took place after the fall of the Gang of Four.

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Ep. 89 | The Cultural Revolution (Part 7) Jun 25, 2012

In this week’s episode, we get all the way up to the end of 1975. With Zhou Enlai ailing and Mao Zedong also not long for the world, there is a sudden urgency to find a successor to the chairman. Now more than ever the two opposing camps take every measure to defeat the other. To the victor will go the leadership of the Chinese nation. To the loser, there is a certain loss of power and perhaps of freedom. Everything is building up to the fateful year of 1976.

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Ep. 88 | The Cultural Revolution (Part 6) Jun 19, 2012

In this episode we finish off 1969, a year that not only saw internal revolt and anarchy but also saw armed border confrontation with the Soviet Union in the freezing northeast. Chairman Mao Zedong pulls out all the stops to quell the violence and rebellion that he himself called for at the outset of the Cultural Revolution. Mao’s chosen successor, Lin Biao loses favor with The Great Helmsman. As China enters the 1970’s the Cultural Revolution, though tarnished, still has plenty of life left in it.

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Ep. 87 | The Cultural Revolution (Part 5) Jun 13, 2012

In the fifth installment of our China History Podcast overview of the Cultural Revolution we look at the milestone events of 1967: The February Countercurrent, 8 Point Program, 10 Point Program and the Wuhan Incident. Lots of blood and violence during this difficult year in China. Added to this was no small amount of political, military and social upheavel.

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Ep. 86 | The Cultural Revolution (Part 4) Jun 04, 2012

The second half of 1966 and into 1967 saw some of the worst excesses of the Cultural Revolution. In this episode the violence spreads throughout China and anyone with something to hide about their class background is tracked down and forced to endure the most horrible of fates. Mao is liking what he sees and keeps fanning the flames using all the tools at his disposal. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-china-history-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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Ep. 85 | The Cultural Revolution (Part 3) May 28, 2012

In this third episode of Laszlo’s Cultural Revolution Overview, we only advance 18 days in August of 1966. Momentous and shocking events happen one after another, day after day. With the announcement of the 16 Points, now the Cultural Revolution has a purpose and guidelines to follow. Today’s episode will show that Mao had anything except an orderly execution of this plan to transform China. He was going to shake up the whole nation, like a snow globe.

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Ep. 84 | The Cultural Revolution (Part 2) May 21, 2012

This week Laszlo takes us up to August 1966 with this Cultural Revolution overview. After a nine-month hiatus down in Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Wuhan, Mao is now back in Beijing and ready to mount his attack on the party leadership and unleash the Cultural Revolution on the entire country.

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Ep. 83 | The Cultural Revolution (Part 1) May 13, 2012

By popular demand, Laszlo begins to trace the history of the Cultural Revolution. This week’s episode looks at the events leading up to the moment in 1966 when Mao called for the people to Bombard the Headquarters and to tear down the government.

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Ep. 82 | The History of China-India Relations Apr 30, 2012

Firstly, Laszlo apologizes in advance for the horrific pronunciation of all Hindi terms. In this updated version of a very old episode from 2012, we look at the long history of Sino-Indian Relations. Many online writers and in the media like to frame this relationship in rather militaristic terms. There's way more to it than that. And there are limitless online resources available that can teach you about all the details and nuances. If you didn't know much beyond the negative vibes being disseminated, here's a nice big-picture two-thousand-year perspective. No question about it, whatever their differences, China and India are part of a small and elite club of great civilizations.

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Ep. 81 | Guan Yu Apr 23, 2012

Known by many names, Guan Yu, Guan Gong, Guan Di, this great man of loyalty, integrity, and justice lived during the final years of the Eastern Han Dynasty. His oath of brotherhood with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei is the stuff of legends and remembered to this very day. Guan Yu was a historical person whose life was so admired, today he is considered a god. In today’s episode, we look at his life and his legend.

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Ep. 80 | Bo Yibo Apr 14, 2012

This week we look at a committed Communist Party leader who played an important role in steering China’s economy and financial system from 1949 to 1966 and during the Deng era. Like many other leaders of his generation, Shanxi-born Bo Yibo suffered terribly during the Cultural Revolution. Today he is best remembered as one of the Eight Immortals or Party Elders who made up Deng Xiaoping’s “kitchen cabinet” during China’s go-go 80’s and 90’s.

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Ep. 79 | Carl Crow Apr 05, 2012

This time we look at Missouri-born Carl Crow (1883-1945). Though pretty much forgotten today, Carl Crow lived an amazing life and was a prolific writer. From his front-row seats to many of the historic events in China between 1911-1937, Crow wrote many books about his observations and opinions.

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Ep. 77 | The Silk Road & Marco Polo Mar 14, 2012

In this farewell look at the Silk Road, we discuss a few more interesting things and then give the travels and adventures of Marco Polo a once over.

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Ep. 76 | Buddhism and the Silk Road Mar 06, 2012

Another fortnight, another China History Podcast. We return to the Silk Road and focus our attention on the monk Xuanzang. His was an interesting life. Through looking at Xuanzang you can truly gain a sense of the importance of Buddhism in China, India and almost the entirety of Central Asia.

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Ep. 75 | Xi Jinping Feb 20, 2012

NOTE: This episode was produced PRIOR to President Xi's accession to the Head of the Party (and everything else). Xi Jinping left U.S. soil last night after taking in the Laker game at Staples Center. His visit this week went off without a hitch. Today we look at Xi Jinping’s life in the context of PRC history.

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Ep. 73 | The Early Years of the Silk Road Feb 12, 2012

Laszlo’s back from Germany and after a long delay we pick up where we left off. In this episode we reacquaint ourselves with the background and early years of the Silk Road.

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Ep. 72 | The Hong Kong Triads Jan 23, 2012

The Triads of Hong Kong have an interesting historical past that shaped their development throughout the years. Today we look at their origins and some of the more important historic events that made them the violent international criminal gangs they are today.

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Ep. 71 | Ouyang Xiu Jan 16, 2012

Now that we have Deng Xiaoping out of the way, we’re back looking at random topics throughout the ages. This week we look at the great Song Dynasty statesman and sage Ouyang Xiu (1007-1072). In this episode we’ll review aspects of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and Ouyang Xiu’s place in this amazing age.

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Ep. 70 | Deng Xiaoping (Part 8) Jan 08, 2012

Today we conclude our eight-part overview of Dr. Ezra Vogel’s recent biography of Deng Xiaoping. In this installment we focus on Deng’s dramatic and brilliant Southern Tour of January-February 1992.

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Ep. 69 | Deng Xiaoping (Part 7) Dec 30, 2011

After a holiday delay, Laszlo is back with the 7th and almost final episode of our overview of Ezra Vogel’s new biography of Deng. In this episode we look at the meat and potatoes of the Reform years from 1979 to 1989.

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Ep. 68 | Deng Xiaoping (Part 6) Dec 19, 2011

In this sixth installment of the Deng Xiaoping overview, we focus on 1978-1979. In this episode we see Deng return to power a third time. Deng immediately throws all his energy into advancing the cause of modernization in China.

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Ep. 67 | Deng Xiaoping (Part 5) Dec 15, 2011

This week’s episode looks at the exciting events that all went down in 1976. Deng Xiaoping is on the defensive thanks to his 1975 policies to revive the nation. But a concatenation of events will happen starting on January 8 and ending on October 6 that will both bring Deng back and rock China.

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Ep. 66 | Deng Xiaoping (Part 4) Dec 03, 2011

After a bit of a delay, this week we look again at Deng Xiaoping and his struggles during the Cultural Revolution Years from 1966 to 1975. Seems we still have a long way to go yet.

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Ep. 65 | Deng Xiaoping (Part 3) Nov 23, 2011

Today in Part 3 of our Deng Xiaoping overview we look at The Great One’s life from 1952 after his return from the Southwest Bureau all the way up to the start of the Cultural Revolution.

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Ep. 64 | Deng Xiaoping (Part 2) Nov 14, 2011

This time we continue on with our overview of the great leader Deng Xiaoping. We pick up in 1937 with the invasion by Japan, the civil war, and the founding of the PRC. We examine Deng’s achievements all the way up to 1952, the year he left the Southwest Bureau and returned to Beijing to serve as Vice Premier and to take the lead, with Mao, Zhou, Liu Shaoqi, and others in building the PRC from the ground up.

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Ep. 63 | Deng Xiaoping (Part 1) Nov 07, 2011

Laszlo is happily back in Cali with a new episode that looks at the early years of Deng Xiaoping. Most of the narrative is based on passages gleaned from Ezra Vogel’s new biography of The Great One. Inspired by the events of May Fourth, 1919, Deng Xiaoping was a lifelong revolutionary and by the end of his days had personally seen to it that China ended up the nation it was meant to be on the world stage. In this multi-part series on the life of Deng Xiaoping, we’ll trace his life, all the triumphs as well as the tragedies. We’ll look at why he is lionized as one of the greatest 20th-century world leaders and also why some have vilified Deng for his actions. His life itself is an interesting prism from which to view 20th century China.

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Ep. 62 | Four Noted Foreigners Buried at Babaoshan Oct 31, 2011

This time we take a look at four Westerners who committed their lives to the People’s Republic of China. These four foreigners, Agnes Smedley, Anna Louise Strong, George Hatem and Israel Epstein were all friends of China and were admired by China’s leaders. Upon their deaths they were given the honor of internment at China’s continue reading >>

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Ep. 61 | The First Twelve Months of the PRC Oct 17, 2011

Today we jump over much of the history of the 1940′s and zero in on the moment when the PRC was officially established on Oct 1, 1949. Today’s podcast episode offers a general overview of the first year of the PRC and some of the multitude of challenges Mao and China’s new leaders faced.

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Ep. 60 | The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors Oct 07, 2011

Before we head back to modern times, we look at the mythological beginnings of the Chinese people and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. This period preceded China’s legendary Xia Dynasty and the beginnings of Chinese recorded history in the Shang.

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Ep. 59 | The Duke of Zhou Sep 29, 2011

This week we look at the immortal Zhou Gong, the Duke of Zhou. If he isn’t the most revered person from Chinese history, he’s certainly in the top three. He guided the earliest years of the Zhou Dynasty through treacherous times. Zhou Gong was responsible for building a great amount of the foundation from continue reading >>

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Ep. 58 | Sir Robert Hart Sep 19, 2011

This week’s episode runs a little long as there won’t be anything for the following week. Today’s episode looks at the life and interesting career of Sir Robert Hart (赫德), an Ulsterman from Northern Ireland. For most of his life he lived in China in the employ of the Zongli Yamen.

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Ep. 57 | Mid-Autumn Festival Sep 11, 2011

Mid-Autumn Festival takes place every year on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar. This year that date falls on September 12. The Chinese world will be celebrating the holiday in very much the same way that generations have enjoyed going back to ancient times. Families will get together and stroll continue reading >>

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Ep. 56 | China and Japan 1895-1945 Sep 03, 2011

Thanks to RL in Hefei for the inspiration, this week we take a look at China and Japan’s difficult history. We focus on the historical events that led to “2,000 years of friendship and 50 years of confrontation,” as CPCCC member Zhao Qizheng 赵启正 said recently in the People’s Daily. We look at the background continue reading >>

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Ep. 55 | The Shanghai Massacre 1927 Aug 30, 2011

Today we’re back with more history. We look at the Shanghai Massacre of April 12, 1927. This was the defining moment when Chiang Kai-shek and his allies and supporters made a bloody break with the Communists.

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Ep. 53 | China in the Early 1920s Aug 14, 2011

The 1920′s in Republican era China was anything but quiet and uneventful. In this episode we focus in on the general situation in China during the period of the early 1920′s. This was a time when the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) and KMT (Kuomintang) were in the same bed dreaming their different dreams. It was continue reading >>

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Ep. 52 | Daoism (Part 3) Aug 08, 2011

We close out our little overview of Daoism by looking at the most powerful and popular Daoist deities. In this episode you will meet the Three Pure Ones and the Eight Immortals with a focus on Lu Dongbin and Zhongli Quan.

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Ep. 51 | Daoism (Part 2) Jul 29, 2011

More Daoism this week. We look at Zhuangzi and trace the development of Daoism during the classical age from the Han Dynasty to the Tang

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Ep. 50 | Daoism (Part 1) Jul 20, 2011

In this week’s episode, Laszlo tackles Daoism, a philosophy, a religion and a way of life that everyone has heard about but not everyone learned the backstory. This time we look at the history and the times that spawned this most fertile of philosophies. In later episodes, we’ll dig a little deeper and look more at continue reading >>

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Ep. 49 | Sir Run Run Shaw Jul 11, 2011

Today we have some lighter fare than usual. Nine months ago we looked at one great Hong Kong tycoon, Li Ka-shing. Today we look another. In this episode we look at the life and career of entertainment mogul Sir Run Run Shaw and the Shaw Brothers organization. Born in Ningbo in 1907, along with his continue reading >>

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Ep. 48 | The Founding of the CCP Jul 01, 2011

Thanks and 非常感谢 to listener Steaven who alerted me that the July 1st podcast was cut-off two thirds of the way through. After rallying the entirety of the resources here at the China History Podcast, we were able to resolve the problem and have re-uploaded this episode. Our profoundest apologies. In commemoration of the festivities continue reading >>

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Ep. 47 | Adventurer Zhang Qian Jun 22, 2011

In this episode we look at the life of one of the bravest and greatest adventurers of ancient times. Zhang Qian was selected by the Han Dynasty Emperor Wu to make a political alliance with a distant central Asian people, the Yuezhi. Zhang Qian’s thirteen year journey to the west between 138 BC and 126 continue reading >>

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Ep. 46 | The May 4th Movement Jun 16, 2011

May 4, 1919, was a historic day in modern Chinese history. The demonstration in Beijing and the subsequent movement brought seismic changes to Chinese culture, politics and literature. All the leaders of modern China who played a founding role in the establishment of the PRC were influenced by the writings and ideas that grew out continue reading >>

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Ep. 45 | The Aftermath of the Xinhai Revolution Jun 07, 2011

The Qing Dynasty formally came to an end on February 12, 1912 when the last emperor Puyi abdicated. That same year the Republic of China was founded and had a very rocky start. In today’s episode we look at the immediate aftermath of the Xinhai Revolution and what happened right after Sun Yat-sen handed the continue reading >>

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Ep. 44 | The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 May 30, 2011

In an effort to bring some understanding to the recent proposed call for a resolution to formally acknowledge and express regret for banning Chinese immigration and other violated rights of the Chinese settlers, we examine the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act. The resolution was introduced by L.A.’s very own Rep. Judy Chu, the first continue reading >>

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Ep. 42 | Review of the Overviews May 14, 2011

非常抱歉大家！ Sorry for the few day delay. In a special collectors edition of the China History Podcast we review the Imperial China overviews of the past eight months. We’ll quickly review the whole period from 2200 BC to 1912. You can now follow the China History Podcast on Twitter @LaszloCHP. Next time I’m late, I continue reading >>

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Ep. 41 | The Qing Dynasty (Part 7) May 04, 2011

In this episode we conclude our eight month overview of Chinese Imperial history from Yu the Great of the Xia Dynasty to Puyi of the Qing. After more than half a century of tragedy, upheaval, national humiliation and plenty of mass death and destruction, the Qing dynasty ends in 1912. Now as China takes her continue reading >>

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Ep. 40 | The Qing Dynasty (Part 6) Apr 25, 2011

This week we look at China during the Tongzhi Era and part of the reign of Guangxu. This period from 1875 to 1895 is more of the same for China. More humiliation at the hands of foreigners. More scrambling to modernize. More imperial skullduggery. More military defeats. By the time of China’s disastrous defeat after continue reading >>

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Ep. 39 | The Qing Dynasty (Part 5) Apr 18, 2011

We’re almost at the end of our Imperial China History Overview. In this segment of the China History Podcast we look at the continued misfortunes in China during the Xianfeng era, as the country is torn apart by the Taiping and Nian rebellions and revolts in the west. The western powers, following the 2nd Opium continue reading >>

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Ep. 38 | The Qing Dynasty (Part 4) Apr 09, 2011

Here we begin the turbulent, bloody and historically humiliating 19th century in China. The first half century sees two emperors, Jiaqing and Daoguang stand by helplessly as China is torn apart by uprisings, anti-Manchu discontent, a financial crisis, opium addiction on a massive scale, foreign invasion and the usual deadly floods and other natural disasters. continue reading >>

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Ep. 37 | The Qing Dynasty (Part 3) Mar 31, 2011

In this episode we look at the bittersweet reign of the Qianlong emperor. The longest reigning emperor in Chinese imperial history, the Qianlong era saw the most splendid three decades for the Manchu’s of the Qing Dynasty. China reached its greatest territorial extent and was still the marvel of the world. But during the second continue reading >>

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Ep. 36 | The Qing Dynasty (Part 2) Mar 24, 2011

In this episode we examine the Yongzheng emperor, the second of the three great Qing emperors who reigned during the most golden of times for the Manchu dynasty. A tireless emperor who was a wizard at managing the machine of state, he reigned for only thirteen years before his son later brought the Qing dynasty continue reading >>

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Ep. 35 | The Qing Dynasty (Part 1) Mar 18, 2011

In this first episode covering the Qing Dynasty, we look at the Shunzhi emperor and his son, the Kangxi emperor. The 61-year reign of the Kangxi emperor was the longest in imperial Chinese history. The Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong eras saw the Qing dynasty reach its greatest heights and China was economically the wealthiest continue reading >>

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Ep. 34 | The Ming Dynasty (Part 4) Mar 07, 2011

We finish off our overview of the Ming Dynasty in this episode and also trace the rise of the Manchu’s. The period from the Jiajing emperor to the tragic suicide of the Chongzhen emperor saw a slow and steady decline in the fortunes of the Ming dynasty.

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Ep. 33 | The Ming Dynasty (Part 3) Mar 01, 2011

In today’s episode we look at Ming Dynasty China from the reigns of Xuande to Jiajing. This period in Chinese history was witnessing momentous changes. The dynasty suffers a terrible debacle in 1449. Portugal was becoming a regular visitor and sets up down in Macao. This was also a time when evil self-serving eunuchs spread continue reading >>

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Ep. 32 | The Ming Dynasty (Part 2) Feb 21, 2011

In this week’s episode we examine the second great emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the Yongle [Yong - Leh] emperor who reigned 1402-1424. This tireless emperor waged campaigns against the Mongols in the north, the Vietnamese in the south and sent sailing expeditions throughout Asia, the subcontinent and the east coast of Africa to engage continue reading >>

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Ep. 31 | The Ming Dynasty (Part 1) Feb 13, 2011

Laszlo is back, finally, after a longer layoff than expected. This week we look at the end of the Yuan dynasty and the founding of the Ming Dynasty. We look at the first emperor Ming Taizu, a.k.a. The Hongwu Emperor. With the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, once again Chinese are in control of the continue reading >>

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Ep. 30 | Chinese New Year Feb 02, 2011

This week we take a break from the history to look at the background and the traditions surrounding Chinese New Year. Laszlo will be back next time to pick up where we left off after the fall of the Song Dynasty. On behalf of everyone here at the China History Podcast, we wish everyone a continue reading >>

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Ep. 29 | The Southern Song Dynasty Jan 26, 2011

In this week’s episode Laszlo finishes off the Song Dynasty after the Jin Empire captures the royal family and sacks the capital in Kaifeng. The Song dynasty continues on with the new capital in the south of China, below the Yangzi River. Despite perilous times with hostile neighbors to the north, the dynasty enjoys continued continue reading >>

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Ep. 28 | The Northern Song Dynasty Jan 19, 2011

This week’s episode runs a little longer than usual. In it we examine the Northern Song Dynasty from 960 to 1127. This was a precarious time for China. Despite three potentially menacing non-Han empires surrounding them to the north and west, China once again had another magnificent great leap forward of brilliance and innovation. Together continue reading >>

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Ep. 27 | Tang Dynasty (Part 3) Jan 10, 2011

In today’s final installment covering the history of the great Tang Dynasty, we look at its agonizing decline until 907 when it is pushed aside and another period of disunity sets in. Five Dynasties reign in the north, all short lived and not spectacular by any means. In the south, after the Tang falls you continue reading >>

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Ep. 26 | Tang Dynasty (Part 2) Jan 03, 2011

Laszlo is back after a holiday illness to continue where we left off in 705 with the passing of Wu Zetian. After an initial golden age during the Taizong emperor, the Tang will reach new heights of glory under Tang Minghuang a.k.a. the Xuanzong emperor. The magnificent city of Chang’an is once again the center continue reading >>

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Ep. 25 | Tang Dynasty (Part 1) Dec 09, 2010

As the Sui peters out, Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, seizes power and establishes the Tang Dynasty in 618. Along with the Song, the Tang Dynasty is considered the pinnacle of China’s long history. In culture, art, poetry, painting, ceramics, science, navigation, diplomacy this was a golden age. Buddhism made even greater inroads into continue reading >>

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Ep. 24 | The Sui Dynasty Dec 01, 2010

The demise of the Southern & Northern Dynasties brought us a China unified under the Sui emperors Wen and Yang. This ephemeral dynasty laid the groundwork for the splendor of the Tang dynasty. Lasting only 37 years, the Sui Dynasty doesn’t get the limelight enjoyed by the great dynasties of Han, Tang, Song, Ming and continue reading >>

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Ep. 23 | The Southern and Northern Kingdoms Nov 24, 2010

The Southern & Northern Dynasties were a collection of dynasties that lasted 170 years and preceded the time of unification under the Sui Dynasty. North of the Yangzi River you had the Northern Wei, the Northern Qi and the Northern Zhou. South of the great river reigned the Liu Song, Southern Qi, the Liang and continue reading >>

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Ep. 22 | The Three Kingdoms and the Jin Dynasty Nov 16, 2010

This week we are back with more Chinese history. We will look at a very confusing but exciting time when there was mostly a period of disunity and China was broken up into contending kingdoms. However this period of chaos brought us some of the richest tales of ancient China filled with amazing battles, events continue reading >>

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Ep. 20 | The Han Dynasty (Part 3) Oct 30, 2010

In this final installment of the Han Dynasty overview, we look at the reign of Wang Mang during the short-lived Xin Dynasty and the Eastern (or Later) Han Dynasty that followed. The Eastern Han was a period of endless skullduggery at the imperial court where the palace eunuchs rose to power and meddled endlessly.

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Ep. 19 | The Han Dynasty (Part 2) Oct 21, 2010

Today we present the second part of the Western Han Dynasty overview where we will look at the great Han emperors Wendi, Jingdi and perhaps the greatest of them all, Han Wudi. It was a golden age in Chinese history and saw the first indirect contact between the Roman Empire in the west and Han continue reading >>

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Ep. 18 | The Han Dynasty (Part 1) Oct 13, 2010

In this week’s episode we look at only the first few decades of the Western Han Dynasty. The Western Han lasted from 202BC to 8AD. We’ll focus in on the fall of the Qin and the rise of Liu Bang who went on to found the Han Dynasty. Liu Bang would reign as Emperor Gaozu

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Ep. 17 | The Eastern Zhou Dynasty Sep 29, 2010

In this episode we look at the second phase of the Zhou Dynasty. This period was known as the Eastern Zhou. The Eastern Zhou was broken down between the Spring & Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. It lasted from 770 to 221BC. From this chaotic period sprang the great works that defined Chinese continue reading >>

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Ep. 16 | The Western Zhou Dynasty Sep 23, 2010

Today we take a 走马看花 look at the 790 year Zhou Dynasty, the longest dynasty in Chinese history. In this episode we will particularly focus on the Western Zhou Period which lasted for 275 years. Next week we will finish the Zhou Dynasty by examining the Eastern Zhou Period.

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Ep. 15 | The Shang Dynasty Sep 15, 2010

This time in our briefest of dynasty overviews, we examine the Shang Dynasty 1600 to 1046 BC. Chinese characters make their appearance for the first time. Artisans cast the most beautiful bronzes. Because of the discovery of archaeological evidence, many consider this China’s first real dynasty.

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Ep. 14 | China's Mythical Beginnings Sep 08, 2010

In this episode, we commence our Chinese imperial dynasty overview by looking at the stories of Pangu, The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, and the Xia Dynasty. These are all tales mostly culled from Sima Qian's "Record of the Grand Historian". These were mythical times but many of the figures discussed in today's episode reappear constantly throughout Chinese history. These founding myths of China and the Huaxia People are a good place to start. Next time we'll look at the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC). Thanks for listening.

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Ep. 13 | Li Ka-shing Sep 05, 2010

Li Ka-shing is a Hong Kong billionaire tycoon who has played a great role in not only Hong Kong’s prosperity but in China’s as well. He is respected not only for his achievements in business and industry but also for his rise from humble beginnings in Chaozhou, China.

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Ep. 11 | Kang Sheng Aug 19, 2010

Kang Sheng 康生 was a sinister character from modern Chinese history who was both Chairman Mao’s close confidant and creator of China’s Secret Police.

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Ep. 7 | Wu Zetian Jul 20, 2010

This week we look at the Tang dynasty Empress Wu Zetian, the only woman from Chinese history to rule China as an emperor in her own name. Chinese names used in this episode: Wu Zetian 武则天 The only empress in China to rule in her own name Wu Zhao 武曌 Wu Zetian’s personal name Taiyuan continue reading >>

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Ep. 6 | The Opium War Jul 14, 2010

In this week’s episode, we give an overview of the First Opium War, one of the most humiliating events in Modern Chinese history. From this event that culminated in the first of many unequal treaties in 1842, China began a steady downhill slide and suffered a multitude of setbacks and insults from foreign powers eager to trade with China and build market share.

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Ep. 4 | The Great Leap Forward Jun 30, 2010

The Great Leap Forward ( 大跃进) from 1958-1960 caused death and suffering to dozens of millions of people. It sounded like a workable idea but it didn’t turn out like Chairman Mao hoped. When looking back on the life of Mao Zedong, the Great Leap Forward is always viewed as a black mark against his legacy. I welcome you to listen to the podcast and learn all about what happens when central planning goes awry.

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Ep. 3 | The Four Great Inventions Jun 24, 2010

Today we look at the Four Great Inventions, the 四大发明, that Lord Francis Bacon hailed as having done more than anything else to transform completely the modern world and mark it off from antiquity and the Middle Ages. The four great inventions were the compass, gunpowder, paper, and printing, each important in their own unique way.

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Welcome to The China History Podcast! Jun 08, 2010

A warm welcome to everyone across the world and thank you for listening to the introductory episode of The China History Podcast. Each week we will bring you a different topic taken for the annals of 5,000 years of Chinese history. We'll look at the dynasties, historical persons, ancient history, modern history and everything in between.

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