The China History Podcast

For the third time on the CHP, I'm featuring another episode from Empires-An Asian Business Podcast, this time featuring India's watch and jewelry giant, Titan. Empires, from Singapore's 1UpMedia is one of the top shows in that region that explores some of the biggest business empires in Asia and the founders who built them. This time Empires features the story of Xerxes Desai and the Titan Company Ltd. They manufacture fashion accessories like jewelry, watches, eyecare, fragrances, fashion accessories, and Indian dress wear. The Jewelry division is the largest contributor to the group, making up nearly 80% of the business, followed by Watches and Wearables at 8-9%. Titan's products are sold through a combination of direct sales and franchising, with nearly 3,000 stores across over 400 towns in India, covering a retail space equivalent to about 60 football fields. Check out Empires on your favorite podcast app. There are so many great podcast shows coming out of Asia. And this is one of them. Enjoy! Apple Pod

For our eighth CSP offering this season, we open up the Book of Han once again and hear the story behind Jiāo Bīng Bì Bài 骄兵必败. It doesn't always happen this way but the timeline of history is filled with examples of more powerful military forces being defeated on the field of battle by their weaker opponent. Arrogant soldiers must be defeated. Look what happened in Vietnam between 1954 and 1975. When you look into it, even today in our own time, Jiāo bīng bì bài is still happening. On a geopolitical level, this must be one of the hardest lessons to learn. More pugnacious world leaders should consult the Book of Han and ponder these words. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We pick up with the second part of this overview of Daoism with Zhuangzi and his beloved book, "The Zhuangzi." We'll also move beyond Laozi and Zhuangzi and take a look at the rise of Fangshi’s 方士 in society, Daoist Thought and Religion, Xuanxue Dark Learning 玄学, Guo Xiang 郭襄, Xiang Xiu 向秀, and the compilation of the Daozang 道藏. I hope this basic overview gives some of you a good jumping-off point to explore more about Daoism the philosophy 道家 and Daoism, the religion 道教. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've already heard about Confucianism, The Hundred Schools, and the Yi Jing. In this episode, we look at Daoism. The life of Lao Tzu (Laozi) will be introduced along with the book he probably never wrote but which is ascribed to him anyway. This is the Tao Te Ching or Dao De Jing. Laozi was quite a character and by telling his story, it will give you the fundamentals to explore on your own what this philosophic thought is all about. We'll look at the Daoist concept of Wu Wei 无为 and the art of quiescence. We'll close with one of the earliest and greatest interpreters of the Daodejing, Wang Bi. In the History of Chinese Philosophy Part 13, we'll start looking at Zhuangzi and his classic book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's another well-worn favorite from the long list of great chengyu's: 磨杵成针 Mó Chǔ Chéng Zhén. The story behind this Chinese Saying stars none other than (one of China's greatest poets) Li Bai. As a youngster, Li Bai chanced upon an old woman, surnamed Wu, who was intent on accomplishing a seemingly impossible (in Li Bai's eyes) task. Don't let any naysayers deter you. Don't fear the impossible. Listen to this quick story and maybe acquire a little bit of inspiration in what you're trying to accomplish. Thanks everyone for listening. If you'd like to donate to the show, you can at: https://teacup.media/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The introduction to the Yi Jing (I Ching) The Book of Changes continues into the Han Dynasty. We'll see how The Yi Jing is grouped with the Five Classics 五经 and how the discoveries at Mawangdui shook things up a little as far as Yi Jing scholarship went. Then we'll try and decipher Confucius's Ten Wings. Then we'll close with an intro to the practical usage of the Yi Jing and how it has been rediscovered and embraced in the West. You can buy the two books of the History of Chinese Philosophy series here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Laszlo-Montgomery/author/B0C8B4MMZS?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1715963841&sr=8-2&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Part 11 episode, we begin introducing the content found in Book 2 of the History of Chiense Philosophy, available wherever fine books are sold. We start with an introduction to the Yi Jing (I Ching), The Book of Changes, or the Changes of Zhou. We'll look at the Yi Jing's earliest beginnings, and the main characters associated with its authorship: Fu Xi, Yu the Great, and King Wen of Zhou. Then we'll finish off with an explanation of the Trigrams, Hexagrams and the development of the Yi Jing over time, including the addition of the “Ten Wings” of Confucius Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once again, as a regular feature to the CHP, I'm including the latest Chinese Sayings Podcast offering. This one may be a bit of a departure from the average CSP episode. The Chinese Saying for this time is Jiǎn Bú Duàn, Lǐ Hái Luàn-剪不断 理还乱. Many Chinese poetry lovers and aficionados may already be familiar with this line from the 10th-century poem 相见欢. Today's CSP offering is more of a history lesson than an introduction to a chengyu but it's worth it to hear it out to the end. The star of this episode is the final ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty. Like his kindred spirit emperor Huizong of the Northern Song, Li Yu 李煜 of Southern Tang wasn't much of a ruler. But what he lacked in leadership ability he made up for it with his great literary skills, especially where cí 词 poetry was concerned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Among the many changes happening in China towards the end of the Han Dynasty was a rise in the popularity of Buddhism. Rivalries began to arise among the three religions as they jockeyed for positions in the halls of power. The seeds of Neo-Confucianism are planted by Tang scholar-officials: Han Yu, Li Ao, and Liu Zongyuan. We also look at the Confucian Daotong Lineage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I forgot to upload this one to the CHP feed last week. 不好意思. Here's a good one from the Three Kingdoms Era in which we feature the famous story of Meng Huo, Zhuge Liang, and Qī Qín Mèng Huò 七擒孟获. Some people just can't accept defeat but in the end, they bow to the inevitable. Cao Pi of Wei thought he'd have some fun and employed Meng Huo to harass his enemy in the Kingdom of Han. That didn't go as planned. But Zhuge Liang sure seemed to enjoy it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like James Dean, Confucius was much bigger in death than he was in his own lifetime. It wasn't until the Han Dynasty that Confucianism enjoyed a major triumph. This time we'll look at Dong Zhongshu who was so consequential in tying Confucianism and the imperial government into one system. We'll also look at Sima Tan (father of Sima Qian) and the Six Schools, as well as the first explainers of Confucianism: Liu Xin, Wang Chong, and Yang Xiong. I hope you're enjoying this series. Nine more episodes to go. We still have the Yi Jing (Book of Changes), Daoisim, and Song Neo-Confucianism to go yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've already explored the Ru School of Philosophy and the thought of Confucius, Mengzi and Xunzi. This time we look at Legalism and the most important philosophers of this school of thought. We'll look at the lives of Shang Yang, Shen Buhai, Han Fei, and Li Si and how they embraced this controversial political philosophy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode will focus on the life of Mengzi and his philosophy. We'll also introduce Mengzi's legendary mother. Then we'll finish off with another Confucianist great from this era, Xunzi 荀子. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I had the great pleasure to interview fellow Earnshaw Books author, Alice Poon recently. The occasion was the official release date of her new book, "The Earthly Blaze" (links below). We first discussed the life and work of Zha Liangyong, also known as Louis Cha. But he is more widely known by his pen name, Jin Yong, whose novels have been read and enjoyed by countless numbers of readers around the world. While I had Alice in the studio I also got her to talk about the greater Wuxia 武侠 genre of Chinese fiction and how it has been received in popular culture. The Earthly Blaze Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Earthly-Blaze-Sword-Maiden-Moon/dp/9888843680/ The Earthly Blaze BN Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-earthly-blaze-alice-poon/1144936000 The Earthly Blaze at Earnshaw Books: https://earnshawbooks.com/product/the-earthly-blaze/ Alice's Blog: https://alicewaihanpoon.blogspot.com/ A nice recommended resource for further reading about Jin Yong and Wuxia: https://wuxiasociety.com/jin-yong-novels

This Chinese Saying, or at least the story, is rather well-known. The story of young Kong Rong and the bowl of pears. Kǒng Róng Ràng Lí 孔融让梨. This perennial children's favorite has a nice moral lesson to teach. When you see young children exhibiting generosity and kindness, many might recall these kids were just like Kong Rong back in the late 2nd Century. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time around we will explore the other major Ru philosophers who established rival schools of thought, including Mozi 墨子. Then we'll explore the early life of Mengzi 孟子 (a.k.a. Mencius) and what he meant to Confucianism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time we move beyond Confucius to look at some of the other schools of thought that contended with each other during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Zhou Dynasty. This included the School of Names and the Sophists, featuring an amusing story about Deng Xi. We also see how the Confucian classics became a pathway to a career in the government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The story of Confucius and what he taught continues with an introduction to his disciples. We also look at Confucian core beliefs as well as selected quotes from the Analects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sima Qian strikes again. This time around we look at the well-known saying, Máo Suì Zì Jiàn 毛遂自荐. I tend to favor those 成语's from the Warring States Period. This one concerns the particularly volatile time in the Warring States during the reign of the aggressive and pugnacious Qin King Zhaoxiang. After a disastrous defeat at Changping in 260 BC, the State of Zhao had to seek urgent assistance from Chu. In this familiar story, we see how Mao Sui, at the time, no one of consequence, steps up to offer his help during a dark hour for Zhao. His value is doubted but Mao Sui proved them wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we'll take a look at the early life of Confucius and his service to the State of Lu. We'll also look at a few stories from his life, including the legend of when Confucius met Laozi. The Great Sage’s reflections on the ideal ruler will also be examined, and the values he stood for that comprised the core of Confucian ideology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices