Shows / The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Stories from ancient China, and whatever else comes to mind.
Episodes
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Shen Gua, Scientist
Shen Gua or Shen Kuo of the Song Dynasty is one of the most significant figures in the history of Chinese science. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Xie Jin of the Yongle Encyclopedia
The early-Ming Dynasty mandarin and editor of one of the greatest literary undertakings ever performed. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
"Discourse on the Lamas" and the Golden Urn
In 1793, Emperor Qianlong of Qing decreed a new process by which to select future Tibetan spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama. And he wrote an essay about…
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Wu Jingzi and "The Scholars"
Regarding the great Qing Dynasty novel and its unfortunate author. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Rebellion of the Eight Princes
The chaotic series of events from 290 to 306 A.D. that set the stage for the fall of the Western Jin Dynasty. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Tragedy of the Parties and Shackles
The Eastern Han Dynasty conflict between the eunuchs and the mandarins that set the stage for Three Kingdoms. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Chinese Rites Controversy
The troubled history of Catholicism in China. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Zuo Zongtang and the Muslim Rebellion of Shaanxi and Gansu
One of the most significant late-Qing officials and the bloody conflicts he fought. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Nian Rebellion
The amorphous, decentralized, and non-ideological rebellion of the mid-19th century. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The White Lotus Sect
A most curious, longstanding, and blood-drenched religious movement. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Wellington Koo, Diplomat
The story of one of Republican China's greatest diplomats. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Chen Youliang and the Battle of Poyang Lake
Regarding the late-Yuan era rebel leader and the greatest naval battle in medieval Chinese history. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Shangguan Wan'er: "Prime Minister in Women's Clothing"
The story of a remarkable Tang Dynasty woman. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Panthay Rebellion
The 19th century Muslim revolt in Yunnan. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Li Ling, Tragic Hero
The tragic tale of the Han Dynasty general Li Ling. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Nestorian Stele
In 635 A.D., a Syriac bishop arrived in the Chinese capital, Chang'an. This is the story of the stele they put up to commemorate that event... Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Li He, the Ghost of Poetry
Li He, one of the most unusual poets of the Tang era, who also gave us the expression: "to answer the summons to the jade pavilion." Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Latter Ruler Li
Li Yu, the last ruler of the Kingdom of Southern Tang, who also happened to be one of the greatest poets in Chinese literature. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Liu Shipei
Regarding the man who came up with the calendar of the Yellow Emperor. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The "Sweet Dews" Massacre
The Coen Brothers-esque plot of 835 A.D. that backfired spectacularly, and gruesomely... Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Prime Minister Li Linfu
The Tang Dynasty prime minister who only hired non-Chinese generals. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Dou Jiande, Chivalric Rebel
The late-Sui rebel leader who lived by the code of the xia. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
A Cup of Wine for Your Command
The tale of a cocktail hour in 961 A.D. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Tumu Crisis of 1449
The military fiasco that led to an emperor serving two non-consecutive terms. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Fan Zhongyan
Regarding the Song Dynasty mandarin who defined the mission for the Confucian intelligentsia. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Sibe People
Regarding the small minority race who gave us the name "Siberia" and preserved the Manchu language. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Qin Liangyu: the Woman General
In all the "24 Histories" of Chinese tradition, only one woman is feature in the biographies of military generals. This is her. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Xunzi: Confucian Apostate
Was he a Confucian or a Legalist? Regarding one of the most controversial Chinese thinkers. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Su Xiaoxiao, Courtesan
The famous 5th or 6th century courtesan of Hangzhou and all the poetry that's been about her. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Early Han Dynasty Figure: Jia Yi
Author of "On the Faults of the Qin." Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Early Han Dynasty Figure: Shusun Tong
The inventor of court protocols. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Early Han Dynasty Figure: Lu Jia
The man who convinced the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty that he couldn't rule from horseback. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Shaobing Song
The Chinese equivalent of the prophecies of Nostradamus. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Zheng Guanying's "Words of Warning"
Regarding the late-Qing businessman and reformist thinker. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Prime Minister Han Qi
Regarding the Song Dynasty statesman -- and my ancestor -- Han Qi. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Yan Zhenqing, Calligrapher
Regarding the Tang Dynasty mandarin and calligrapher. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Wei Yuan, Geographer
Wei Yuan, the 19th century mandarin and geographer who taught the Chinese to open their eyes to the outside world. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Qian Liu and the Get-Out-Jail-Free Card
Regarding the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms figure Qian Liu and his "iron scroll." Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Zu Chongzhi: Mathematician
Regarding the great 5th century mathematician, astronomer, and engineer. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Chao Cuo: Economist
Regarding the Han Dynasty policy advisor, party-pooper, and scapegoat. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Baopuzi: The Path to Immortality
About the Jin Dynasty alchemist and author Ge Hong and the text he left us, Baopuzi, which teaches us the way to immortality. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Zilu, the Warrior Confucian
About one of the most famous disciples of Confucius, the man of action Zilu Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Wang Bo and the Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng
Regarding the Tang Dynasty writer and his most famous essay. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Xu Xiake, Traveler
The greatest travel writer in Chinese tradition, the late-Ming figure Xu Xiake. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Guan Hanqing and the Story of Dou E
Regarding the great Yuan Dynasty playwright and his most famous play. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Du You and Du Mu, Grandpa and Grandson
Regarding the historian of institutions Du You and his grandson, the poet Du Mu. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Cat, the Prince, and the Empress: Empress Liu of Song
The legend of "a dead cat for a prince" and the true story of the career of Empress Dowager Liu of the Song Dynasty. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Zhu Xi: the Neo-Confucian
On the great Song Dynasty philosopher who redefined Confucian thought. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Zhang Xuecheng, Historian
Regarding the major Qing Dynasty historian Zhang Xuecheng (1738-1801). Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Robber Zhi from Zhuangzi
A chapter in the Daoist text Zhuangzi that launches a sustained attack on Confucianism, through the mouth of a notorious criminal. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Huang Zongxi and "Waiting for Dawn": Chinese Democratic Theory
One of the most influential thinkers -- and his most influential work -- in the history of Chinese democratic thought. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
King Li of Zhou and the "Republic" of 841 B.C.
Until the advent of modern scholarship, the earliest definitive date in the chronology of Chinese history was 841 B.C. What happened that year that so marked…
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Zhang Zhongjing, Physician
Regarding the Han Dynasty physician Zhang Zhongjing. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Li Jie: Architect
Regarding the Song Dynasty architect and scholar of architecture. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Li Kui and Shen Buhai, Legalists
Everyone knows that Shang Yang reformed the laws and institutions of the State of Qin, setting it up for superpower status and paving the way to the Qin…
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Wang Yangming, Philosopher
The story of the deeply influential Ming Dynasty philosopher. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Zichan, Criminal Law, and the Soul
The 6th century B.C. statesman of the State of Zheng promulgated the first published criminal code in Chinese history. Moreover, it is through him that we know…
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Chinese Hedonism: the School of Yang Zhu
The hedonist tradition in Chinese philosophy. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
The Discourses on Salt and Iron
The economic conference of 81 B.C. and the book that resulted from it. Support the show
- The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Liu Xie and "The Literary Heart and the Carving of Dragons"
On the late-5th and early-6th century work of literary criticism and its author. Support the show