The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast

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 Dynasty. But a number of earlier reformers prefigured Shang Yang. Here are two of them.Support the show

Discover the life of Wang Yangming, a pivotal philosopher from the Ming Dynasty, and his profound influence on Taiwanese history. Explore the blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in his teachings, and how they shaped moral cultivation during a politically tumultuous era. Delve into the challenges he faced with civil service exams and the impact of his ideas on both Chinese and Western thought. Learn how his legacy interconnects with the renaming of Mount Yangming in Taipei, symbolizing a rich philosophical heritage.

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 how the ancient Chinese understood the nature of the soul.Support the show

The hedonist tradition in Chinese philosophy.Support the show

The economic conference of 81 B.C. and the book that resulted from it.Support the show

On the late-5th and early-6th century work of literary criticism and its author.Support the show

Regarding the man who made Confucianism the dominant ideology of China.Support the show

On Chai Rong, the second emperor of the Latter Zhou, and how it became the last of the Five Dynasties.Support the show

Explore the rise of Genghis Khan and the creation of The Secret History of the Mongols, a crucial document for understanding the Mongol Empire. Discover the impact of this historical text on various dynasties and its significance in preserving Mongolian traditions. Uncover the legacy of Genghis Khan and the unique insights provided by The Secret History for academic research.

On the German scholar of Chinese architecture.Support the show