The History of China

Latest Episodes:

#102 - AnShi 2: Song of Everlasting Sorrow Jun 30, 2016

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An Lushan marches south, occupying Louyang with blinding speed and leaving the Tang Dynasty reeling. Still, ultimately the tide seems ready to turn against the rebel general and self-styled-Emperor of Yan, until Chancellor Yang Guozhong's bungling ruins absolutely everything.

Time Period Covered:

Jan-July, 756

Major Historical Actors:

Tang Dynasty:

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang

Chancellor Yang Guozhong (d. 756)

Consort Yang Guifei (d. 756)

Crowned Prince Li Heng

General Feng Chengqian (d. 756)

General Gao Xianzhi (d. 756)

General Geshu Han

Dongan Protectorate/Yang Dynasty:

An Lushan

An Qingzong (d. 756)

Major Works Cited:

Abramson, Marc S. (2008). Ethnic Identity in Tang China.

Chamney, Lee (2012). “The An Shi Rebellion and Rejection of the Other in Tang China, 618-763.” University of Alberta.

Pulleyblank, Edwin G. (1976). “The An Lu-Shan Rebellion and the Origins of Chronic Militarism in Late T’ang China” in Essays on Tʻang Society: The Interplay of Social, Political and Economic Forces.

Twitchett, Denis. “End of the Reign” in The Cambridge History of China, vol. 3.De la Vaissière, Étienne, (tr.)

James Ward (2002). Sogdian Traders: A History.

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#101 - AnShi 1: Heart & Belly, Claws & Teeth Jun 19, 2016

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The aged Emperor Xuanzong of Tang rest uneasily on his throne as 751 brings not just the sting of defeat at Talas, but also to the far south and northeast. He and his chancellor will become increasingly reliant on the Governor-General of Dongan Protectorate, the Sogdian-Turk An Lushan. But at a time when loyalty, ethnicity, and what it means to be Chinese is increasingly strained, how much pressure can the system take before it snaps?

Time Period Covered:

751-755 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Li Longji (Emperor Xuanzong of Tang)

Chancellor Li Linfu (d. 753)

Chancellor Yang Guozhong

Consort Yang Huiyuan

Crowned Prince Li Heng

An Lushan, Governor-General of the Andong Protectorate

Geshu Han, Governor-General of the Anbei Protectorate

An Qingzong (Gen. An’s eldest son and heir)

Sources Cited:

Abramson, Marc S. (2008). Ethnic Identity in Tang China.

Chamney, Lee (2012). “The An Shi Rebellion and Rejection of the Other in Tang China, 618-763.” University of Alberta.

Twitchett, Denis. “End of the Reign” in The Cambridge History of China, vol. 3.

De la Vaissière, Étienne, (tr.) James Ward (2002). Sogdian Traders: A History.

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#100 - Special: Di Yi Bai! Jun 09, 2016

Show notes

Title Meaning: “Hundredth!” It’s a Q&A between you listeners and myself on topics far and wide! They range from yet further exploration of Empress Wu, to the nature of Chinese alcohol, my favorite Chinese movies, Chinese classes and slavery within the Empire and even today, China’s relations with Southeast Asia and why it seems to be a particularly difficult place to conquer across time, the end of the Ming Dynasty, the surprisingly contentious history of silk, and finally a question likely to land me in hot water: a question on how China might change in the century to come (bring it on, Fifty Cent Party!)

Enjoy!

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#99 - Tang 17: The Battle of Talas May 29, 2016

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The armies of the Far West Anxi Protectorate of the Tang face down a force commanded by the ascendant Abbasid Islamic Caliphate, fresh off its victorious insurgency over the Umayyad Caliphate. But in this one and only clash between Chinese and Arab might, the ramifications for both will be felt long after the blood dries on the battlefield along the Talas River.

Time Period Covered:

May- September, 751

Major Historical Figures:

Tang Dynasty –

Protectorate of Western Pacification

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (Li Longji)

Governor-General Fumeng Lingcha

Governor-General Gao Xianzhi (Go Seonji)

Bian Lingchen, Court Eunuch on Assignment to Anxi

Lieutenant Li Siye

Officer Duan Xiushi

Transoxiana:

Lesser Bolü Kingdom (Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan)

Shi Kingdom (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)

Turgesh Khannate

Karluk (Qarluq) Turks

Tibetan Empire

Abbasid Islamic Caliphate:

Governor Ziyad ibn Salih

Major Works Cited:

Bartold, Vasily (1928). Turkestan Down to the Mongol Invasion (Trans. T. Minorsky & C.E. Bosworth).

Chen, Sanping (2012). Multicultural China in the Early Middle Ages.

Golden, Peter B. (1990). “The Kharakhanids and early Islam” in The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia, vol. 1 (ed. Denis Sinor).

Hoberman, Barry (Sept/Oct. 1982). “The Battle of Talas” in Aramco World, vol. 33 no. 5.

Ibn al-Athir, Ali (ca. 1231) The Complete History.

Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.

Soucek, Svak (2000). A History of Inner Asia.

Starr, S. Frederick (2004). Xinjiang: China’s Muslim Borderland.

Szczepanski, Susan (2015). “Battle of Talas River” in About.com: http://asianhistory.about.com/od/centralasia/a/BattleofTalas.htm

Tsien Tsuen-hsuin (1985). “Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Part 1: Paper and Printing.” In Science and Civilization in China: Vol. 5.

Twitchett, Denis (ed.) (1979).“Hsuang-Tsüng: Li-Lin Fu’s Regime” in The Cambridge History of China, vol. 3.

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#98 - Tang 16: All Along the Watchtowers May 17, 2016

Show notes

We leave the capital behind to take a tour of the Tang Empire’s neighbors, both old and new. A tenuous peace with Tibet leads to a westward push putting the Chinese into contact – and eventual conflict – with the Islamic Abbasid Caliphate. Meanwhile, to the north and east rebellious Khitan tribesmen will spark a huge military buildup in the region under the control of one man, while the former Goguryeo reorganizes itself into the powerful state of Balhae, forcing the Tang Court to re-assess its diplomatic options.

Time Period Covered:

730-750 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Tang Dynasty:

Li Longji (Emperor Xuanzong of Tang) [r. 712-756]

Gen. Zhang Shougui, Military Governor of Fanyang

Gen. An Lushan, Military Governor of Pinglu, Prince of Dongping

Tibetan Kingdom:

Turgesh Kaghanate:

Sulu Kaghan [d. 738]

Abbasid Islamic Caliphate:

Second Turkic Kaghanate:

Bilgé Kaghan [r. 716-734]

Kul Tigin [d. 731]

Khitan and Xi Tribes:

Ketuyu [d. 733]

Balhae Kingdom:

King Go [r. 698-719]

King Mu [r. 719-737]

King Mun [r. 737-793]

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#97 - Tang 15: Law & Order: XZU May 09, 2016

Show notes

In the Justice System of the Tang Imperial Court, the throne’s interests are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the Confucians, who argue for traditional ethics, and the Legalists, who argue for the unbending application of the letter of the law. These are their stories…

Time Period Covered:

731-740 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang

Chief Minister Zhang Jiuling

Chief Minister Li Linfu

Eunuch Commander Gao Lishi

General Wang Maozhong

Major Sources Cited:

Herbert, Penelope A. "A Debate in T'ang Chinaon the State Monopoly on Casting Coin" in T'oung Pao LXII.

Twitchett, Denis. "Hsuang-Tsüng: The Middle Reign" in The Cambridge history of China, vol. 3.

Sima, Guang. Zizhi Tongjian.

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#96 - Tang 14: The Sacrifices of Feng and Shan Apr 26, 2016

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Military reforms mark our entrance into Xuanzong’s early-middle reign, which is more or less a basket of unicorn foals: external peace, internal stability… now if only that darned economy would fix itself! But the emperor will turn a fateful corner in the 724, when his official Zhang Yue convinces him to conduct the Feng and Shan Sacrifices: the highest ritual a Chinese ruler could conduct – a sacrifice to Heaven and Earth atop holy Mount Tai.

Time Period Covered:

714 – 726 CE

Important Historical Figures:

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (Li Longji) [r. 714- ]

Empress Wang [d. 724]

Lady Wu

Chief Minister Zhang Yue

Minister Yuwen Rong

Minister Cui Yinfu

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#95 - Tang 13: Xuanzong Can Fix It! Apr 18, 2016

Show notes

Wu Zetian’s grandson Li Longji (aka Xuanzong of Tang) is left to pick up the pieces of 50+ years’ worth of overindulgence, royal excess, and the rampant deconstruction of the entire imperial bureaucratic apparatus. Thanks, grandma. Fortunately, he’ll prove uniquely suited to the role of maintenance-man, and under his unexpectedly capable leadership, he’ll reign in his family members, do away with the thousands of excess positions, reform the government, and stabilize the regime. He’s building up to a second Golden Age for the Tang Dynasty… all he has to do is get his obnoxious Aunt Taiping out of the way first…

Major Historical Figures:

Li Longji (Emperor Xuanzong of Tang) [r. 712-756]

Princess Taiping [d. 713]

Li Dan (Retired Emperor Ruizong) [r. 710-712, d. 716]

Yao Chong [650- ]

Song Jing [663 - ]

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#94 - Tang 12: Two Second Reigns Apr 06, 2016

Show notes

The Tang Dynasty has been restored following Empress Wu's eldest son's coup d'etat. But dynastic restoration does not equate to societal reformation, and many of the problems Wu inherited or exacerbated remain. Throw into that mix a decade long period of palatial infighting between princes and princesses, and we have a period so chalk full of intrigue, espionage, and assassination... that classical historians have preferred to steer around this decade rather than even deign to acknowledge it.

Time Period Covered:

705-712 CE

Notable Historical Figures:

Deposed Empress Wu Zetian [d. 705]

Li Xian (Emperor Zhongzong of Tang) [2nd r. 705-710]

Li Dan (Emperor Ruizong of Tang) [2nd r. 710-712]

Li Longji (Emperor Xuanzong of Tang) [r. 712- ]

Princess Taiping

Empress Wei [d. 710]

Princess Anlou [d. 710]

Wu Sansi [d. 707]

Crowned Prince Li Chongjun [d. 707]

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#93 - Tang 11: Dynasty of One Mar 21, 2016

Show notes

Wu Zhao sits on the Throne of Heaven as divine sovereign in her own right. But challenges from expansionistic neighbors such as the Tibetans, the Turks, and the Khitan will throw her regime’s stability into question, an ongoing economic crisis will spiral out of control, and her scandalous affair with two pretty-boy half-brothers will throw the entire imperial court into turmoil, potentially spelling an end to her singular era of rule.

Time Period Covered:

690-705 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Tang/Zhou Dynasty:

Wu Zhao [The Holy Empress Regnant Zetian] (r. 690-705)

Prince Li Xian [former Emperor Zhongzong] (re-confirmed as heir in 698)

Prince Li Dan [former Emperor Ruizong]

Princess Taiping

Minister Wei Yuancheng

Xue Huaiyi, head of White Horse Temple (d. 695)

High Inquisitor Lai Junchen (d. 698)

Zhang Yizhi (d. 705)

Zhang Changzong (d. 705)

Turkic Khannate:

Qapaghan Khan [Mouchou] (d. 716)

Tibetan Empire:

Tridu Tsongsan Tsampo [King of Tibet]

the mGar Clan (d. 698)

Khitan Tribe:

Chieftain Li Qincheng (d. 697)

Chieftain Sun Wanzheng (d. 697)

Major Works Cited:

Clements, Johnathan. Wu: the Chinese Empress Who Schemed, Seduced and Murdered Her Way to Become A Living God.

Dash, Mike. “The Demonization of Empress Wu” in The Smithsonian found at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-demonization-of-empress-wu-20743091/?no-ist

Fitzgerald, C.P. The Empress Wu.

Guisso, Richard W. L. “The Reigns of the empress Wu, Chung-tsung and Jui-tsung (684-712)” in The Cambridge History of China, vol. 3.

Guisso, Richard W.L. Wu Tse-T’ien and the Politics of Legitimation in T’ang China.

Liu, Xiu. Jiu Tangshu.

Sima, Guang. Zizhi Tongjian.

Woo, X.L. Empress Wu the Great.

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