In episode 1, we begin with an introduction to this podcast, followed by a brief overview of what we’ve come to know about early human migration and settlement in the region that will eventually become China. Finally, we’ll delve into the mythological origin story that purports to tell of the three divine Sovereigns who would create and then rule over the Han people.

I’m very excited to be getting this journey underway! Once again welcome, and thank you for listening.

UPDATE:  As of 08/18/2014, this episode has been re-recorded with upgraded sound quality, and a better compression rate.  Enjoy!

#1 - Origins 1: The Mythical Origins Of The Middle Kingdom

This episode, we enter the second half of our gaze into the Chinese origins mythos. Focusing on the Five Emperors descended from the Yellow Emperor, this period marks the beginning of the transformation of the Huaxia People from settled tribe, to dynastic feudal kingdom. There will be betrayal, cataclysmic flooding, bird kingdoms, the Vietnamese, magical earth, and – of course – dragons.

#2 - Origins 2: Five Emperors, Twelve Islands

This week we move into the beginnings of China’s dynastic period where rulers began favoring birthright over merit – and the consequences will be almost immediately apparent.  Beginning with the triumphant reign of the heroic Yu the Great, the Xia’s semi-accidental trip into dynastic succession will swiftly spiral downward, eventually leaving a usurping general in power, and the House of Xia all but exterminated after decades in exile.

#3 - Xia 1: The Xia, China's First Dynasty

This time, we take an in depth look into Shao Kang, the prince born in hiding who would rise from his dynasty's ashes to seek revenge against the Usurper-General Han Zhuo who had ruthlessly pursued him.  Through a combination of skill, luck, and patience, Shao Kang will cobble together a force able to meet Han Zhuo's armies in battle.

#4 - Xia 2: Revenge of the Xia!

Day 15 of 4: An overview of individual accounts of the unfolding Covid lockdown situation in Shanghai, the siege-mentality that has set in, and the struggles of day to day existence both on- and offline in a city cut off from the rest of the world.

The History of China

Shanghai Total Lockdown Update, Day 15/04 :《This Content Not Available》

05/13/2022

"Relax," said the night man,
"We are programmed to receive."

上海 Lockdown Update - Day 43/04: You Can Check Out Any Time You Like

Great Ming is having some problems with its border troops who think orders are actually "suggestions." The Jiajing Emperor is having some problems with his ministers being self-serving twits. Meanwhile, there's some strange happenings going on beyond the wild frontiers...

Time Period Covered:
~1510-1540 CE

#235 - Ming 25: Some Light Treason

The self-proclaimed Kung Wu of Zhou stands triumphant amid the smoking ruins of the Shang Dynasty... but though the war is over, victory is far from assured.  With his premature death, his unready heir will prompt rebellion against the fledgling Zhou Dynasty - not only by the Shang remnant, but also his own uncles!  To cement their hold on power, the Zhou will be forced to construct a new standard of legitimacy: The Mandate of Heaven.

#9 - W. Zhou 1: Heaven Does Not Make Propositions

In the chaos that grips the steppes in the mid 15th century, anarchy reins. Though there are though who call themselves khans, they were merely figureheads controlled by their own prime ministers, the taishis. The once mighty Borjigin Clan has been bled nearly dry, and usurpers are over every hill crest. 

Into this world of destruction and disarray, two children are born on opposite sides of the vast Gobi. The first is one of the last members of the House of Borjigin, a boy called Bayan Möngke, who will in time become the heir to the office of Great Khan of the Mongols. The other a girl of seemingly little significance, Mandukhai, who will be given to the sitting Khan in marriage as his second queen.

Time Period Covered:
ca. 1448~1478 CE

Major Historical Figures:
Northern Yuan:
Beg-Arslan Taishi
Ismayil Taishi
Manduul Khan, "The Old Khan" [ca. 1438-1478]
Bayan Möngke Jinong, "The Golden Prince" [ca. 145?-147?]
Yeke Qabar-tu Khatun, "Queen Big Nose" [14??-14??]
Mandukhai Khatun [ca. 1448-1510]
General Une-Bolod [14??-14??]
Siker [144?-14??]
Boroghchin [ca. 14??-147?]

#236 - Yuan 17: The Golden Prince & The Warrior Queen

The Jianwen Emperor plays shell-games with his dad's spirit tablet, decides Confucius has had it too good for too long, gets gross in his pursuit for immortality, and tries breath-play with his concubines... oh yes, and fire. So, so much fire.

Time Period Covered:
ca. 1524-1547 CE

Major Historical Figures:
The Jiajing Emperor (Zhu Houcong) [r. 1521-1567]
Empress Dowager Zhang [r. 1505-1541]
Empress Chen [r. 1522-1528]
Empress Zhang [r. 1529-1534]
Empress Fang [r. 1534-1547]
Confucius [551-479 BCE]
Minister Xia Yan
Minister Huo Tao

Major Sources Cited:
Works Cited:
Geiss, James. “The Chia-ching reign, 1522-1566,” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 7: the Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, Part I.
Huang, Weibo. “The palace rebellion of ‘Renyin’ and the Jiajing Emperor’s belief in alchemy” in Xiang Chao.
McMahon, Keith. Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing.
Zhang, Tingyu. History of Ming, Vol. 114, Historical Biography 2, Empresses and Concubines 2.
Zhang, Yongchang. “The ‘Renyin’ palace rebellion: palace women sacrifice themselves” in Quanzhou Wenxue.

#239 - Ming 26: Red Lead Prescription

The Jiajing Emperor rounds out the back-half of his interminably long reign by hiding away in his personal palace, and only occasionally coming out to tell everyone what a terrible job they're all doing. The Mongols seize on Ming weakness to basically do whatever they want, and the Ming respond by turtling even harder and building more walls. Without an imperial guiding hand, the ministers are left to their own devices... with predictably selfish and myopic results.



Time Period Covered:

1550-1567 CE



Major Historical Figures:

Ming Empire:

The Jiajing Emperor (Zhu Houcong) [r. 1521-1567]

Gen. Qiu Ruan [d. 1552]

Grand Secretary Xia Yan [1482-1548]

Grand Secretary Yan Song [1480-1567]

Grand Secretary Xu Jie [1512-1578]



Mongolia:

Altan Khan [1507-1582]

Prince Toghto



Major Works Cited:

Bacon, Francis. “Of empire” in The essays of Francis Bacon (1908).

Geiss, James. “The Chia-ching reign, 1522-1566,” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 7: the Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, Part I.

#240 - Ming 27: The Solecism of Power

A brief history of Mid-Autumn Festival, and the tale of Hou Yi the Archer & the Ten Suns, and Chang'e & the Moon

In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you.

Sources:
Barlett, Scarlett. The Mythology Bible: The Definitive Guide to Legendary Tales.
Masaka, Mori. “Restoring the ‘Epic of Hou Yi’” in Asian Folklore Studies, vol. 52, no. 5.
Yang, Lihui, Demin An, and Jessica Anderson Turner. Handbook of Chinese Mythology.

Special - Mid-Autumn: Fly Me to the Moon

We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villains and knaves.
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs.
We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads,
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Stand up me hearties, yo ho!
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!

Time Period Covered:
ca. 1521-1550 CE



 Sources Cited:
Andrade, Tonio and Xing Hang. “Introduction: The East Asian Maritime Realm in Global History: 1500-1700” in Sea Rovers, Silver, and Samurai: Maritime East Asia in Global History, 1500-1700.

Chin, James K. “Merchants, Smugglers, and Pirates: Multinational Clandestine Trade on the South China Coast, 1520-50” in Elusive pirates, pervasive smugglers: violence and clandestine trade in the Greater China Seas.

Geiss, James. “The Chia-ching reign, 1522-1566” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 7: The Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, Part I.

Laver, Michael. “Neither Here nor There: Trade, Piracy, and the ‘Space Between’ in Early Modern East Asia” in Sea Rovers, Silver, and Samurai: Maritime East Asia in Global History, 1500-1700.

Petrucci, Maria Grazia. “Pirates, Gunpowder, and Christianity in Late Sixteenth-Century Japan” in Elusive pirates, pervasive smugglers: violence and clandestine trade in the Greater China Seas.

Wills, John E. “Maritime China from Wang Chih to Shih Lang: Themes In Peripheral History” in From Ming to Ch’ing: Conquest, Region, and Continuity in Seventeenth-Century China.

#241 - Ming 28: Wokou! Wokou! A Pirate's Life For Me!

Great Ming has a pirate problem on its hands. Unable to effectively suppress it militarily, the officials in charge turn to wheeling and dealing to get the seabooters to give up their outlaw ways. But when the Jiajing Emperor starts sticking his nose in to such affairs from way up in Beijing, suddenly all bets are off...

Time Period Covered:
1549-1567 CE

Major Historical Figures:
Ming:
The Jiajing Emperor (Zhu Houcong) [r. 1521-1567]
Grand Chancellor Yan Song [1480-1567]
Nanjing Minister of War Zhang Jing [d. 1555]
Censor Zhao Wenhua [d. 1557]
Censor Hu Zongxian [1512-1565]
Commander Yu Dayou [1512-1579]
Commander Qi Zhiguang [1528-1588]

Pirates:
Wang Zhi, CEO of the High Seas [d. 1559]
Captain Xu Hai [d. 1556]
Lord Shimazi of Osumi Province

Works Cited:
Andrade, Tonio and Xing Hang. “Introduction: The East Asian Maritime Realm in Global History: 1500-1700” in Sea Rovers, Silver, and Samurai: Maritime East Asia in Global History, 1500-1700.
Chin, James K. “Merchants, Smugglers, and Pirates: Multinational Clandestine Trade on the South China Coast, 1520-50” in Elusive pirates, pervasive smugglers: violence and clandestine trade in the Greater China Seas.
Geiss, James. “The Chia-ching reign, 1522-1566” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 7: The Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, Part I.
Laver, Michael. “Neither Here nor There: Trade, Piracy, and the ‘Space Between’ in Early Modern East Asia” in Sea Rovers, Silver, and Samurai: Maritime East Asia in Global History, 1500-1700.
Petrucci, Maria Grazia. “Pirates, Gunpowder, and Christianity in Late Sixteenth-Century Japan” in Elusive pirates, pervasive smugglers: violence and clandestine trade in the Greater China Seas.
Wills, John E. “Maritime China from Wang Chih to Shih Lang: Themes In Peripheral History” in From Ming to Ch’ing: Conquest, Region, and Continuity in Seventeenth-Century China.

#243 - Ming 29: Ahh, Curse Your Sudden But Inevitable Betrayal!

At 29, the weak and ineffectual Longqing Emperor take the Dragon Throne in 1567. But it won't be long before the curse of the House of Zhu strikes him down, leaving Great Ming to his 9-year-old son, Wanli. That means - of course - the government is in the hands of the court ministers and its all-powerful Grand Secretary, the ruthlessly conniving Zhang Juzheng.

Time Period Covered:
1567-1582 CE

Major Historical Figures:
The Longqing Emperor (Zhu Zaihou) [r. 1567-1572]
The Wanli Emperor (Zhu Yijun) [r. 1567-1620]
Grand Secretary Xu Jie [1503-1583]
Grand Secretary Gao Gong [1513-1578]
Senior Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng [1525-1582]

Sources Cited:
Huang, Ray. 1587, A Year of No Significance: The Ming Dynasty In Decline.
Huang, Ray. “Lung-ch’ing and Wan-li Reigns” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 7: The Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, Part 1.
Melvin, Shelia. “China’s Reluctant Emperor” in The New York Times (11/07/2011).
Miller, H. State Versus Gentry In Late Ming Dynasty China, 1572-1644.

#244 - Ming 30: A Last Luminous Gloaming

Being the most powerful person in the empire must be nothing but the good life, right? Well... not so much. And especially with the truly dysfunctional Ming system facing the newly-adult Wanli Emperor, it's a system that promises all the perks, but delivers only drudgery, frustration, and disappointment. Not even 5,000 concubines can make up for that...

Time Period Covered:
1582-1600 CE

Major Historical Figures:
The Wanli Emperor (Zhu Yizhun) [r. 1572-1620]
Empress Xiaoduan (Wang Xijie) [1564-1620]
Noble Consort Wang [1565-1611]
Prince Zhu Changluo, "First Imperial Son" [1582-1620]
Noble Consort Zheng [1565-1630]
Prince Zhu Changxun, "Third Imperial Son" [1586-1641]
Grand Secretary Zhang Zhuzheng [d. 1582]

Major Sources Cited:
Duhalde, Marcelo. “Life inside the Forbidden City: how women were selected for service” in South China Morning Post (July 12, 2018).
Huang, Ray. 1587, A Year of No Significance: The Ming Dynasty in Decline.
Huang, Ray. “The L’ung-ch’ing and Wan’li Reigns, 1567-1620” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 7: The Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, Part I.
Toshima, Yoriko [Su Chung]. Court Dishes in China.

#245 - Ming 31: Event Horizon

As Ming China enters the 16th century, the Wanli Emperor, his ministers, a new canal, Portuguese & Spanish explorers, the usual gaggle of Chinese neighbors, the Philippines, the Christian Church, The White Lotus, and - of course - the Jesuits all start becoming one another problems...



Time Period Covered:

~1600-1617 CE



Major Historical Figures:

MING:

The Wanli Emperor (Zhu Yizhun) [r. 1572-1620]

Li Zhi, persecuted Neo-Confucian philosopher [1527–1602]

Li Rusong, Ming Commander in Chief [d. 1598]

Wang Yangming, Master of the "School of the Mind" [1472–1529]

Wang Zhicai, politician & assaultee [d. 16??]

Zhang Zha, the "Attack With the Club" Intruder [d. 1617]



OTHERS:

Limahong (Lin Feng), Pirate Leader out of Manila [1499-1574]

Wang Wang Gao, Ming Captian/Spanish Liason [15??]

Fr. Martin de Rada [1533-1578]

Nurhaci, Mysterious Aisin Gyoro Leader [1559- 1626]

#247 - Ming 32: State On the Wane

Ming China gets down and dirty with a Miao Rebellion in the Southwest, a Mongol(-ish) uprising in the Northwest, and a newly re-unified Japan gettin just a little too big for their britches in Korea.

Time Period Covered: 1587-1600 CE

#248 - Ming 33: Dragon Head, Snake Tail

In the frigid wilds beyond the Great Wall, a young warrior will begin a grand campaign to establish himself as the sovereign of All Under Heaven, and overthrow an ancient rival.

Time Period Covered:
1559-1619 CE

Major Historical Figures:
Ming:
The Wanli Emperor
General Li Chengliang

Aisin-Gioro/Later Jin/Manchu:
Nurhachi, Heavenly Mandated Khan of Jin [1559-1626]
Giocangga [d. 1582]
Surhaci [d. 1611]
Cuyen [d. 1615]
Hong Taiji
Nikan Wilan
Dragon-Tiger General Meggebulu

#249 - Ming 34: Nurhachi, Part 1

With Manchuria all but tapped out, Nurhachi and his Manchus seek to expand in the only direction that makes any sense - south into Ming territory. It's time for the Airing of Grievances! He's got a lot of problems with you people, and now you're gonna hear about it!!

Time Period Covered:
~1618-1626 CE

#250 - Ming 35: Nurhachi, Part 2

We revisit the pivotal Battle of Sarhu of 1619/20, but this time from the Ming perspective. Then we'll finally send the Wanli Emperor into his tomb and take stock of his reign and legacy, before getting into our final few emperors Great Ming has left in the tank.

Time Period Covered:
1619-1621 CE

Major Historical Figures:
Ming:
The Wanli Emperor (Zhu Yujin) [r. 1572-1620]
The Taichang Emperor (Zhu Changluo) [r. 1620-1620]
The Tianqi Emperor (Zhu Youjiao) [r. 1620-1627]
Consort Li
Supreme Commander Yang Hao [d. 1629]
General Du Song, "The Madman" [d. 1619]
General Ma Lin [d. 1619]
General Li Rubo [d. 1621]
General Liu Ting [d. 1619]

Manchu/Later Jin:
Nurhachi [r. 1616-1626]
Amba Beile Daisan [1583-1648]
Hong Taiji [1592-1643]

#251 - Ming 36: The Last Showdown

Great Ming's 15th emperor steps up to bat at the tender age of 15, but he's not terribly interested in tackling the challenges facing the empire. He'd rather sit in his room and... build models. As if that weren't enough, things go from already-bad to even-worse when a certain eunuch with a mountain of a chip on his shoulder manages to wrangle the reins of power from the teenage monarch.

Time Period Covered:
1620-1627 CE

Major Historical Figures:
The Tianqi Emperor (Zhu Youjiao) [r. 1620-1627]
Exalted Duke Wei Zhongxian [1568-1627]
Madame Ke [1605-1627]
Minister of War Cui Chengxiu [1571-1627]
Grand Secretary Ye Xianggao [1559-1627]
Minister Liu Zongzhou [1578-1645]
Vice Censor-in-Chief Yang Lian [1572-1625]
Xu Hengru, White Lotus rebel leader [d. 1623]
The Chongzhen Emperor (Zhu Yujian) [r. 1627-1644]

#252 - Ming 37: The Donglin Debacle

Following the First Emperor's "Weekend At Bernie's"-esque death, the Qin Dynasty is thrown into turmoil over who will succeed the Emperor who sought to live forever.  But at the heart of this web of intrigue sits the eunuch Zhao Gao, pulling the threads of the dynasty itself toward his own mysterious ends.

#22 - Qin 3: Web Of Deception

The Chongzhen Emperor takes command of the Ming, but things are not going well... and they're not going to get any better. After purging his government of partisan elements, he find he's now condemned it to hopeless deadlock. Along the southern coasts, pirate fleets and Dutch privateers prowl the water, making trade all but impossible. Economic and currency woes lead, combined with repeated natural catastrophes lead to widespread banditry and rebel factions doing what they must to survive... and through it all, the Manchu threat to the north continue to press its advantage, breaking through the Great Wall, and going so far as to raid around Beijing itself!

Time Period Covered:
1628-1636

Major Historical Figures:
Ming Empire:
The Chongzhen Emperor (Zhu Yujian) [r. 1628-1644]
General Yuan Conghuan [1584-1630]
Zheng Zhilong, Admiral of the South Seas [1604-1661]
Grand Secretary Wen Tiren [1584-1639]

Qing Dynasty:
Hong Taiji (Emperor Taizong of Qing) [r. 1626-1643]
Amin [1585-1640]
Commander Kong Youde [d. 1562]
Geng Zhongming [1604-1649]

Rebels:
Li Zicheng [1606-1649]

#253 - Ming 38; Manchus, and Pirates, and Rebels, Oh My!

With the Qin Dynasty dead and buried, the victorious rebels turn on one another to establish who will be the next power in China.  The Hegemon-King of Chu, Xiang Yu, squares off against his great rival the King of Han, Liu Bang.

#23 - W. Han 1: The Chu-Han Contention

As the newly enthroned Khan of the Manchus, Hong Taiji has a lot of plates to keep spinning. Conquest of Joseon Korea to the east, conquest of the Chahar Mongols to the west, and continuing to pound against the ever-weakening Ming Dynasty to the south. But he still has time for aesthetic considerations, such as the fact that names like "Jurchen" and "Jin" are so passé, while names like "Manchu" and "Qing" are the new hotness.

Time Period Covered:
1626-1643 CE

Major Historical Figures:
Qing:
Hong Taiji (Emperor Taizong of Qing) [r. 1626-1643]
Prince Amin [1585-1640]
Prince Haoge [1609-1648]
Prince Dorgon [1612-1650]
Prince Fulin (The Shunzi Emperor) [r. 1643-1661]

Ming:
Gen. Mao Wenlong [1576-1629]
Gen. Yuan Chonghuan [1584-1630]
Gen. Zu Dashou [d. 1656]
Gen. Hong Chenchou [1593-1665]
Gen. Wu Sangui [1612-1678]

Joseon:
King Injo [r. 1623-1649]

Northern Yuan:
Ligdan Khan [r. 1603-1634]

#254 - Qing 1: Build Me An Army Worthy of Manchu

We're releasing one from the paid vaults to share with everyone! (Don't worry, there's still plenty more exclusive Mongol content)... consider heading on over to Patreon.com/thehistoryofchina to support the show and catch up with all things steppe-rider!

Genghis Khan rules the steppe. Yet before he'll be able to expand beyond its vast, rolling expanse, he'll have to deal with several in-house issues, particularly the ambitions of a powerful shaman named Teb Tengri, who may have designed on Genghis' power and position...  

Time Period Covered: 1206-1209CE  

Major Historical Figures:  
Borjigin:
Genghis Khan (Temujin)
Börte, Temujin's First Wife
Ho'elun, Temujin's Mother
Khasar, Temujin's Second Brother
Temuge Otchigin, Prince of the Hearth, Temujin's Youngest Brother
Chaga, Temujin's 11th Wife  

Mongol: Kokhchu Teb Tengri, Shaman
Monglik  

Jurchen Jin:
Emperor Zhangzong of Jin
Wanyan Yongji, Prince Shao of Wei

Bonus - Mongol 5: The Shaman

"Rice is great if you're really hungry and want eat 2,000 of something." - Mitch Hedberg

#137 - Song 5: A Song of Rice and Flour

High in the wildlands of the Khentii Mountains, a tribe of hunters and scavengers comes into possession of a young and captured bride. Ripped out of her old life, she and the family her new husband create at the edge of the world will have to find a way to survive.

Time Period Covered:
ca. 1158~1170 CE

#159 - Mongol 1: The Blood Clot

The Hongwu Emperor enters the twilight of his life. But before he's ready to ride off into that long sunset, he's going to take a hell of a lot more people with him...

Time Period:
1387-1398 CE

Major Historical FIgures:
The Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang) [r. 1368-1398]
Crown Prince Zhu Biao [1355-1392]
Crown Prince Zhu Yunwen (The Jianwen Emperor) [1377-1402]
Zhu Shuang, the Prince of Qin [1356-1395]
Zhu Gang, the Prince of Jin [1358-1398]
Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan [1360-1424]
Zhu Su, the Prince of Zhou [1361-1425]
General Fu Youde [1327-1394]
General Feng Sheng [d. 1395]

Major Sources:
Langlois, John D., Jr. “The Hung-Wu-Reign” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 7: The Ming Dynasty, 13698-1644m Part I.
Robinson, David M. In the Shadow of the Mongol Empire: Ming China and Eurasia.
Sun, Bing. “The burial system of imperial concubines in the Ming Dynasty and the ‘ancestral system’ of the Ming Dynasty.”

#210 - MIng 5: The Problem With Princes

An audio journey through the 5000 year history of one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations.

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