The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast

In a dramatic twist of fate, palace girls in the Forbidden City plotted to assassinate Emperor Jiajing in 1542. Their rebellion was sparked by oppressive conditions, showcasing their desperation and courage. The chaotic aftermath unfolded with tragic consequences, including executions and the heartbreaking loss of Empress Fang. The gripping tale reveals a little-known aspect of imperial life and the lengths individuals would go to change their fate.

Thoughts on friendship from Montaigne, Aristotle, and the Daoist philosopher Zhuangzi, who advises us all not to be too eager to hang out.Support the show

Inspired by recent discussions elsewhere of the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail, we take a look at some of the most sought after objects in Chinese tradition: the Nine Cauldrons and the Jade Imperial Seal, both symbols of royal or imperial authority on earth.Support the show

On that great leader of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Xie An, who saved his country in the late-4th century and came to be remembered for his preternatural sangfroid.Support the show

The parallel lives of two great physicians who were contemporaries of each other, one in Han Dynasty China and one in the Roman Empire. By extension, a comparison between traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Western medicine.Support the show

The Sui Dynasty (581-619) doesn't get much respect, largely because it was short-lived. Even so, and perhaps paradoxically, its founder implemented a number of measures that far out-lasted the dynasty itself. This is the story of that man, Yang Jian, Emperor Wendi of Sui.Support the show

Two of the most infamous tyrants from ancient Chinese history, the women who enabled them, and why it all might be the worst libel.Support the show

Hu Qubing was one of the most remarkable and meteoric military figures in Han Dynasty China during the second century B.C. Meteoric because he rose fast (thanks to nepotism), burned bright, and died young. A kind of soldierly James Dean. But in his brief but brilliant career, he left an indelible mark on Chinese and world history.Support the show

Xiwangmu or the Mother Goddess of the West is one of the most important and familiar deities in the Daoist pantheon. "The Biography of King Mu of Zhou," dug up in 281 A.D. from a royal tomb, gives a euhemerist account of her as the queen or princess of a distant nation, and tells of how King Mu of Zhou visited her in the 10th century B.C.Much more besides, including King Mu's appearance in what amounts to an ancient work of science fiction...Support the show

The guest, known as the Emperor of Shanghai, was a notorious figure in the Chinese underworld and a key member of the Green Gang. He delves into the historical roots and political connections of the Green Gang, highlighting its pivotal role in Shanghai's crime scene. The conversation weaves through Dui Asun's turbulent journey during World War II and the Chinese Civil War, and explores the Gang's influence in post-Republican Taiwan, revealing the intricate ties between organized crime and political power.