The History of China

Emperor Wu is gone and now his 8 year old son must become Emperor Zhao. But like all child emperors, a regent runs the government for him. This episode dives into the complex court drama that revolved around the regents and those around the young emperor. All that and more on this episode.

With Emperor Wu and Sima Qian both gone, this episode dives into the prolific historian himself. Furthermore, we put Buddhism on our radar and end with a look into the beginnings of standardized testing. All that and more on this week's episode.

We finally reach the end of Emperor Wu's historic and historically long reign. More conquests, more policy questions, revolts, and....a big witch hunt - literally. All that and more on this week's episode!

This episode sees the Han Supernova....rapid expansion at never before seen rates. Also, we cover in any missing pieces that happened during, just before, and after the Han-Xiongnu War.

So, this is an unnumbered episode, a treat if you will. After finishing up the main part of the Han - Xiongnu War, what better way to cram a special episode than now. The Huns.

We are back, and this episode tackles effectively the end of the Han-Xiongnu war and the Battle of Mobei. This battle is one of the most incredible military encounters we have looked at so far, so you won't want to miss it. Also....the results here will create ripples that will be felt hundreds of years later...in the Roman Empire. All that and more.

It is here, the gloves are off. The Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu are at war. This episode covers the hectic initial stage as both armies trade body blows.

In this week's episode, we cover the entirety of Emperor Jing's reign. With the Rebellion of the Seven States being the focal point of his reign, we listen to see if he can indeed keep the Han on track....and also....it is finally here.....the Han-Xiongnu War...

Emperor Wen ruled longer than all the previous Han Emperors combined. In this episode, we look at the back half of his long and prosperous reign and into the beginning of his son's. Rouge brothers, Xiongnu incursions, and fraudulent clerics show us the challenges Emperor Wen would indeed face. As for his son, well he is about to have seven states rebel. All that and more in this week's episode!

We all know by now that the Han has not been off to the hottest of starts. However, in 180 BC, a new emperor looks to change that. Through Confucian and Taoist doctrines, Emperor Wen of Han brings some much needed stability to the dynasty, and in turn, creates the foundation that all later emperors of the Han would use to continue its prosperity.

The problems for the Han Dynasty were already piling up when Emperor Gao died in 195 BC. However, proceeding his death, his wife - Empress Dowager Lü - threw everything out of whack. For nearly 20 years, Empress Dowager Lü ruled the Han as a regent through endless killing and torture. It truly is the Empress Lü Horror Show.

The wait is over, as the Xiongnu finally strike back. And boy did they ever strike back.....This week we cover the Xiongnu, the Han dynasty's disastrous response, and the later death of Emperor Gao.

To understand all of the issues the Han would face, we must understand China and the Han Dynasty at a societal level. Confucianism is ushered back in, but what were the social classes? What was life like? How was the military comprised? Find out the answers to those questions and more on this weeks episode.

As fast as it came about, the Qin Dynasty collapsed. What would replace it was not clear at the time, so on this episode, listen as we dive into the death throes of the Qin and the ascension of the Han. Back stabbing court officials, massive battles, and political intrigue are on full display as the new dynasty comes to the forefront of history.

Qin Shi Huang Di has a lot to do. He is going to send troops to conquer more land, this time to the South. He was going to try and standardize thought, and he was going to try and live forever. But in the event he couldn't live forever, he built one of the most incredible burial sites ever. His tomb would be guarded by over 8,000 Terracotta soldiers, though this tomb was thought to be another gros...

The Qin Dynasty is here. Though, just because you beat everyone in combat doesn't mean you are automatically a unified dynasty. Standardization across the realm needs to happen, and nomads to the north have to be dealt with. All that and more on this week's episode of "The History of China".

We have made it to Qin Shi Huang Di, the man who is credited with unifying all of China and ushering in the first imperial dynasty - The Qin Dynasty.

Everything we have built up towards is coming to a head. The Qi are about to fall out of the race, leaving just the Qin. And by the end of it all, Qin Shi Huang Di is crowned king of the Qin state...All that and more on this week's episode of "The History of China"

The First Vertical Alliance may have failed, but plans to stop the Qin don't die just yet. Can the Qi State brings itself back to the top dog spot? All that and more on this week's episode.

The First Vertical Alliance, a cabal of six powerful warring states joined together by Su Qin, look to stop the Qin. The Qin are in a 1 v. 6, but can they prevail? All that and more on this week's episode of The History of China.

While this episode could be equally be called "The Warring States Period Pt. V", this episode dives in head first into the rise of the Qin State. Shang Yang is about to revamp the whole state with his Legalist codes.

The way the Wei got out of the way....... This week, we dive into the conflicts initiated by King Hui of Wei and watch as Sun Bin, the great great great grandson of Sun Tzu (The Art of War), brings the Qi state to a whole new level.

War in afoot. The Three Jin's peaceful equilibrium of power is broken. Elsewhere, the Qi state rises to near unstoppable power. We know the philosophies, we know the foundations, now we just watch as they play out in incredible violence and political intrigue.

...The Hundred Schools.... It is time to look at some of the preeminent philosophies of the Warring States Period (A.k.a. Hundred Schools Period). Taoism/Daoism, Confucianism, and Legalism will all be delved into in this week's episode!

....In the Beginning. The partition of Jin and the start of the Warring States! No one really knows what the specific starting point of the Warring States Period was. 475 BC? 453 BC? 403 BC? There is no one single consensus. But it is generally agreed upon that the partition of Jin marks the beginning of the Warring States period.