
The Master of Demon Gorge: A Chinese History Podcast
Stories from ancient China, and whatever else comes to mind.
Episodes
229 episodes
"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 it.
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Episode 229
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22:04

Wu Jingzi and "The Scholars"
Regarding the great Qing Dynasty novel and its unfortunate author.
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Episode 228
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21:01

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.
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Episode 227
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21:12

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.
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Episode 226
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19:27

Zuo Zongtang and the Muslim Rebellion of Shaanxi and Gansu
One of the most significant late-Qing officials and the bloody conflicts he fought.
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Episode 224
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26:22

The Nian Rebellion
The amorphous, decentralized, and non-ideological rebellion of the mid-19th century.
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Episode 223
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18:51

The White Lotus Sect
A most curious, longstanding, and blood-drenched religious movement.
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Episode 222
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21:10

Wellington Koo, Diplomat
The story of one of Republican China's greatest diplomats.
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Episode 221
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21:28

Chen Youliang and the Battle of Poyang Lake
Regarding the late-Yuan era rebel leader and the greatest naval battle in medieval Chinese history.
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Episode 220
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19:53

Shangguan Wan'er: "Prime Minister in Women's Clothing"
The story of a remarkable Tang Dynasty woman.
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Episode 219
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21:14

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...
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Episode 216
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27:03

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."
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Episode 215
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17:46

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.
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Episode 214
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19:37

Liu Shipei
Regarding the man who came up with the calendar of the Yellow Emperor.
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Episode 213
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21:42

The "Sweet Dews" Massacre
The Coen Brothers-esque plot of 835 A.D. that backfired spectacularly, and gruesomely...
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Episode 212
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20:27

Prime Minister Li Linfu
The Tang Dynasty prime minister who only hired non-Chinese generals.
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Episode 211
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21:44

Dou Jiande, Chivalric Rebel
The late-Sui rebel leader who lived by the code of the xia.
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Episode 210
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20:58

The Tumu Crisis of 1449
The military fiasco that led to an emperor serving two non-consecutive terms.
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Episode 208
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23:58

Fan Zhongyan
Regarding the Song Dynasty mandarin who defined the mission for the Confucian intelligentsia.
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Episode 207
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20:18
