The China History Podcast

The Song gets a second life in Hangzhou, and what a life it is. This time we follow Yue Fei’s struggle against the Jurchens, the political battles back at court, and a remarkable flowering of trade, art, and learning. Meanwhile, out on the steppe, Temüjin is building something nobody has seen before. From the rise of Chinggis Khan to Kublai’s conquest, we follow the road to the Southern Song’s tragic ending in 1279.
Here's the list of characters mentioned in this episode:
Zhào Gòu 赵构 / Southern Sòng Emperor Gāozōng 宋高宗, Yuè Fēi 岳飞 / King of È 鄂王, Hán Shìzhōng 韩世忠, Zhāng Jùn , 张俊, Huīzōng 徽宗, Gāozōng 高宗, Guāngzōng 光宗, Zhào Kuò 赵扩 / Níngzōng 宁宗, Lǐzōng 理综, and Dùzōng 度宗, Kāng Yǒuwéi 康有为, Liáng Qǐchāo 梁启超, Empress Dowager Cíxǐ 慈禧太后, Qín Huì 秦桧, Zhōng Xiāng 钟相, Yáng Yāo 杨幺, Qīnzōng Emperor 宋钦宗, Wányán Liàng 完颜亮, Zhū Xī 朱熹, Zhōu Dūnyí 周敦颐, Shào Yōng 邵雍, Zhāng Zài 张载, Chéng Hào 程颢, Chéng Yí 程颐, Lù Yóu 陆游, Sòng Xiàozōng 宋孝宗, Empress Consort Cíyì 慈懿皇后 / Empress Lǐ Fēngniáng 李凤娘, Hán Tuōzhòu 韩侂胄, Empress Yáng. 杨皇后 / Empress Gòngshèng 恭圣仁烈杨皇后, Temüjin / Chinggis Khan 成吉思汗, Jiǎ Sìdào 贾似道, Khabul Khan, Khaidu Khan, Yesugei the Brave, Bortei, Chaghadai, Jochi, Tolui, Kublai 忽必烈 Hūbìliè, Hülegu, Arigh Boke, Ogedei, Subotei, Batu, Möngke, Hǎiyùn Chán Shī 海运禅师, Liú Bǐngzhōng 刘秉忠, Zhū Yuánzhāng’s 朱元璋, Lǐ Tǎn 李璮, Shǐ Tiānzé 史天澤, Empress Consort Xiè Dàoqīng 謝道清, Aju 阿朮, Bóyán or Bàyán 伯顔 of the Baarin 巴林, Bàyán 伯顔 of the Merkit 蔑儿乞, Emperor Gōng 宋恭帝, Zhao Shi 赵昰 / Emperor Duānzōng 宋端宗, Zhào Bǐng 赵昺 / Emperor Huáizōng 宋怀宗, Lù Xiùfū 陆秀夫, Zhāng Shìjié 张世杰, Wén Tiānxiáng 文天祥.

It's another week and another episode from this series that looks at Chinese history from mythical times to the last emperor. Thanks to everyone (especially Bob K in Myrtle Beach) who have given me your kind words and appreciation for this latest effort of mine. We're almost but not quite halfway through with this Pangu to Puyi series.
Throughout Chinese history, few emperors could match the Huizong Emperor’s eye for art. Keeping the Song dynasty out of trouble was another matter. This time we explore the dazzling world of Northern Song Kaifeng, from Slender Gold calligraphy 瘦金体 and imperial gardens to Daoist masters and bitter court rivalries. Then a dangerous alliance with the Jurchens goes terribly wrong. We follow Huizong from the splendor of his palace through the Jingkang catastrophe and into the harsh captivity that ended his extraordinary life.
Here's a list of the Chinese names from this episode:
Zhào Xù 赵煦 / Emperor Zhézōng 宋哲宗, Zhào Jí 赵佶 / Emperor Hūizōng 宋徽宗, Empress Dowager Gāo 高太后, Empress Dowager Xiàng 向皇后, Lǐ Jìe 李诫, Wáng Shēn 王詵, Cài Biàn 蔡卞, Prince of Shēn Zhào Bì 赵佖, Zhào Yǔ 赵俣, Zhào Sì 赵似, Zhào Cāi 赵偲, Zēng Bù 曾布, Zhāng Dūn 章惇, Hán Zhōngyàn 韩忠彦, Líu Hùnkāng 劉混康, Chen Guan 陈贯, Zhào Tǐngzhī 赵挺之, Zhāng Shāngyīng 张商英, Cài Yōu 蔡攸, Dá Jìngzhī 笪淨之, Tóng Guàn 童贯, Liáng Shīchéng 梁师成, Wáng Lǎozhì 王老志, Wáng Zǐxī 王仔昔, Lín Língsù 林灵素, Liao Tiānzuò 辽天祚, Zhào Liángsì 赵良嗣, Wányán Āgǔdǎ 完颜阿骨打 / Jīn Tàizǔ 金太祖, Wáng Fǔ 王黼, Fāng Là 方腊, Wányán Wúqǐmǎi 完颜吴乞买 / Jīn Tàizōng 金太宗, Zhāng Júe 张觉, Prince of Huán 桓 / Emperor Qīnzōng 宋钦宗, Wòlìbù 斡离不, Empress Zhèng 郑皇后, Zhū Miǎn 朱勔, Lǐ Gāng 李纲, Wányán Niánhǎn 完顏粘罕, Zhào Gòu 赵構 / Emperor Gāozōng 宋高宗, Lǐ Ruòshuǐ 李若水, Zhāng Bāngchāng 張邦昌, Kègòng 克恭, Shí Chóngguì 石崇贵, Qín Huì 秦, Jin Emperor Xīzōng 金熙宗, Cài Tiáo 蔡条.

As we begin Part 10 of this Pangu to Puyi series, the Tang Dynasty is gone, China is divided, and another age of warlords is underway. Out of the turmoil, the Song will build a dynasty celebrated for its scholarship, prosperity, and cultural brilliance—but political peace will prove harder to achieve.
In Part 10 we'll look at the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 五代十国, the rise of the Khitan Liao, and Zhao Kuangyin’s founding of the Song in 960. As China puts itself back together, powerful neighbors and the contested Sixteen Prefectures shape the new dynasty’s choices between war and diplomacy.
Then we enter the world of the Northern Song’s scholar-officials, where literary greatness and political danger often go hand in hand. From Fan Zhongyan 范仲淹 and Ouyang Xiu 欧阳修 to Wang Anshi’s 王安石 sweeping reforms and the fierce opposition they provoke, the debate over how to govern China takes center stage. We close with the remarkable Su Dongpo 苏东坡—poet, statesman, artist, and food lover—whose years of exile helped inspire some of Chinese literature’s most enduring works.
A long list of characters from this episode. Here's the Chinese names:
Zhū Wēn 朱温 / Zhū Quánzhōng 朱全忠, Lǐ Cúnxù 李存勖, Zhū Yǒuguī 朱友珪, Zhū Zhèn 朱瑱 / Emperor Mò 后梁末帝, Yēlǜ Ābǎojī 耶律阿保机 / Emperor Tàizǔ 辽太祖, Prince Bèi 耶律倍, Yáo Kūn 姚坤, Lǐ Sìyuán 李嗣源, Empress Yìngtiān 应天皇后, Yēlǜ Déguāng 耶律德光, Shí Jìngtáng 石敬瑭, Liú Yǐn 刘隐, Liú Yǎn 刘䶮 / Southern Han Emperor Gāozǔ 南汉高祖, Ngô Quyền 吴权, Liú Cháng 刘鋹, Lǐ Cóngkē 李从珂, Lǐ Yù 李煜, Shí Chóngguì 石重贵, Liú Zhīyuǎn 刘知远, Qián Liú 钱镠, Guō Wēi, 郭威 / Later Zhou Emperor Tàizǔ 后周太祖, Chái Róng 柴荣 / Guō Róng 郭荣 / Emperor Shìzōng 北周世宗, Gāo Cónghuì 高从诲, Zhào Kuāngyìn 赵匡胤 / Sòng Tàizǔ 宋太祖, Zhào Kuāngyì 赵匡义 / Zhào Guāngyì 赵光义, Sòng Tàizōng 宋太宗, Zhēnzōng Emperor 宋真宗, Liǔ Yǒng 柳永, Lǐ Chéng 李成, Fàn Zhòngyān 范仲淹, Ōuyáng Xiū 欧阳修, Zhāng Héng 张衡, Wáng Chōng 王充, Zǔ Chōngzhī 祖冲之, Yī Xíng 一行, Lǐ Chúnfēng 李淳风, Zhào Zhēn 赵祯 / Emperor Rénzōng 宋仁宗, Wáng Ānshí 王安石, Liú É 刘娥 / Empress Dowager Liú 刘太后, Lǐ Yuánhào 李元昊 / Wéimíng Yuánhào 嵬名元昊 / Emperor Jǐngzōng 西夏景宗, Lǐ Démíng 李德明, Lǐ Jìqiān 李继迁, Sū Xún 苏洵, Sū Shì 苏轼 / Sū Dōngpō 苏东坡, Sū Zhé 苏辙, Sīmǎ Guāng 司马光, Zhōu Dūnyí 周敦颐, Shěn Kuò 沈括, Liǔ Zōngyuán 柳宗元, Zēng Gǒng 曾鞏, Rùnzhī 王润之, Chéng Yí 程颐, Chéng Hào 程颢, Emperor Shénzōng 宋神宗, Huáng Tíngjiān 黄庭坚, Mǐ Fú 米芾, Cài Xiāng 蔡襄, Wáng Xīzhī 王羲之, Yán Zhēnqīng 颜真卿, Ní Zàn 倪瓒, Xú Wèi 徐渭, Yuán Méi 袁枚, Empress Dowager Gāo 高太后, Wáng Fú 王弗, Wáng Zhāoyún 王朝云, Cài Jīng 蔡京, Cài Tāo 蔡絛,

From the triumph of Wu Zetian to the splendor of Xuanzong’s court, the Tang reached extraordinary heights. How did it all come undone?
In Part 9 of From Pangu to Puyi, we continue the story from China’s only female emperor through the Tang’s golden age and its long, turbulent decline. We follow Wu Zetian’s bold claim to the throne, the palace struggles that followed her reign, and the flourishing world of Emperor Xuanzong—where poetry, prosperity, and the celebrated romance with Yang Guifei shared the stage with dangerous political rivalries.
Then comes the An Lushan Rebellion, shattering the empire and changing the dynasty’s course forever. The Tang survives, but powerful military governors, palace eunuchs, and recurring upheavals steadily weaken the throne. From the devastation of the Huang Chao Rebellion to Zhu Wen’s final seizure of power in 907, this episode traces more than two centuries of ambition, brilliance, and catastrophe—and brings one of Chinese history’s greatest dynasties to its dramatic close.
Here's the list of Chinese names. I hope this has been useful to at least a few of you:
Wǔ Zétiān 武则天 / Emperor Shèngshén 聖神皇帝 / Zétiān Dàshèng Huángdì 則天大聖皇帝, Lǐ Lóngjī 李隆基 / Prince of Línzī 临淄王 /Emperor Xuánzōng 唐玄宗, Ān Lùshān 安禄山, Táng Gāozōng 唐高宗, Lǐ Xián 李贤, Lǐ Xiǎn 李显 / Lǐ Zhé 李哲 / Zhōngzōng Emperor 唐中宗, Lǐ Xùlún 李旭轮 / Emperor Ruìzōng 唐睿宗, Lǐ Jìngyè 李敬业, Lǐ Zhēn 李贞, Lǐ Chōng 李冲, Lái Jùnchén 來俊臣. Zhōu Xīng 周兴, Tàipíng Gōngzhǔ 太平公主, Zhāng Chāngzōng 张昌宗, Zhāng YìzhĪ 张易之, Empress Wéi 韋皇后, Lǐ Guǒ’ér 李裹儿 / Princess Ānlè 安乐公主, Lǐ Chóngjùn 李重俊, Emperor Shāngdì 唐殇帝, Lǐ Bái 李白, Dú Fǔ 杜甫, Wáng Wéi 王维, Mèng Hàorán 孟浩然, Wáng Chānglíng 王昌龄, Gāo Shì 高适, Yáo Chóng 姚崇, Sòng Jīng 宋璟, hāng Jiǔlíng 张九龄, Lǐ Línfǔ 李林甫, Yáng Yùhuán 杨玉环 / Yáng Guìfēi 杨贵妃, Lǐ Mào 李瑁, Yáng Guózhōng 杨国忠, Gāo Xiānzhī 高仙芝, Gāo Lìshì 高力士, Táng Sùzōng 唐肃宗, Ān Qìngxù 安庆绪, Shǐ Sīmíng 史思明, Shǐ Cháoyì 史朝义, Guō Zǐyí 郭子仪, Lǐ Guāngbì 李光, Yīngwǔ Kèhán 英武可汗, Lǐ Shāngyǐn 李商隐, Dù Mù 杜牧, Emperor Dàizōng 唐代宗, Emperor Dézōng 唐德宗, Emperor Xiànzōng 唐宪宗, Hán Yù 韩愈, Emperor Mùzōng 唐穆宗, Emperor Jìngzōng 唐敬宗, Emperor Wénzōng 唐文宗, Emperor Wǔzōng 唐武宗, Lǐ Yí 李怡 / Emperor Xuānzōng 唐宣宗, Huáng Cháo 黄巢, Wáng Xiānzhī 王仙芝, Emperor Yìzōng 唐懿宗, Lǐ Kèyòng 李克用, Zhū Wēn 朱温 / Zhū Quánzhōng 朱全忠, Emperor Xiànzōng 唐宪宗, Emperor Zhāozōng 唐昭宗, Emperor Āi 唐哀帝.

Tang China’s borders are expanding, its capital is welcoming the world, and behind the palace walls, Wu Zetian is making her move.
In Part 8 of From Pangu to Puyi, we follow the Tang from the reign of Taizong into the age of Gaozong and the extraordinary rise of China’s future female emperor. Along the way, we explore Christianity’s arrival in Chang’an, the enduring legacy of the Tang legal code, and the marriage alliance that linked Princess Wencheng with Tibet’s Songtsen Gampo. Campaigns against the Western Turks and the Korean kingdoms carry Tang power far beyond the capital—but holding those gains is another story.
At court, the struggle is just as fierce. We trace Wu Zetian’s ascent from imperial concubine to empress and an increasingly powerful partner in government, navigating rivalries, forging alliances, and sweeping aside opponents. It’s a story of conquest, cultural exchange, and palace intrigue, as one of Chinese history’s most formidable figures takes center stage.
Here's the list of Chinese names in this episode:
Āluóběn 阿罗本, Fáng Xuánlíng 房玄龄, Dù Rúhuì 杜如晦, Jìngjìng 㬌淨, Āshǐnà Jiēshèshuài 阿史那结社率, Āshǐnà Jiēshèshuài 阿史那结社率, Āshǐnà Shè’ěr 阿史那社尔, Princess Héngyáng 衡阳公主, Guō Xiàokè 郭孝恪, Songtsen Gampo 松赞干布, Princess Wénchéng 文成公主, Yǒn Kaesomun 연개소문 延盖苏门, Lǐ Tài 李泰, Lǐ Zhì 李治 / Táng Gāozōng, Lady Yáng 杨氏, Wǔ Zhào 武照 / Wǔ Mèiniáng 武媚娘 / Wǔ Shìyuē 武士彟, Empress Wǔ Zétiān 武则天, Lú Qínzhāi 卢芹斋 (C.T. Loo), Lǐ Shìjí 李世𪟝 / Lǐ Jí 李𪟝, Empress Wáng 王皇后, Consort Xiāo Shūfēi 蕭淑妃, Lǐ Sùjié 李素洁, Āshǐnà Hèlǔ 阿史那贺鲁, Sū Dìngfāng 苏定方, Chǔ Suíliáng 褚遂良, Lǐ Zhōng 李忠, Lǐ Hóng 李宏, Hán Yuàn 韩瑗, Lái Jì 来济, Lǐ Yìfǔ 李义府, Xǔ Jìngzōng 许敬宗, Lǐ Cháo 李巢, Wéi Jìfāng 韦季方, Shàngguān Yí 上官仪,