

Empress Dowager Cixi of China Part 2: Villain Era | 5
Jan 22, 2024
Cixi, the formidable empress of China’s Qing dynasty, discusses her ruthless rise from concubine to powerful Regent. In a gripping narrative, she reflects on the heartache of losing loved ones and the chilling execution that propels her desire for revenge. Power struggles in the Forbidden City become increasingly complex with her choice of an empress for her son, amidst external threats and familial loyalty. As she navigates reform and betrayal, Cixi reveals the heavy toll her ambitions exact on her legacy and the future of China.
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Intro
00:00 • 3min
Memories and Power: A Personal Journey
02:56 • 6min
Power and Grief in the Forbidden City
08:53 • 8min
Choosing an Empress: Strategy and Maternal Instincts in Imperial China
17:07 • 5min
Tensions of Power and Leisure
21:51 • 11min
The Bold Power Play of Empress Dowager Cixi
32:23 • 2min
Legacy of Power and Sacrifice
34:25 • 13min
The Complex Legacy of Empress Dowager Cixi and Pitcairn Island's Dark Secrets
47:00 • 3min