The China History Podcast

How does a dynasty that reunified China fall apart so quickly—and leave the foundations for a golden age?
In Part 7 of this Pangu to Puyi overview, we’ll follow the fall of the Sui and the rise of the Tang. We explore the Grand Canal and Emperor Yang’s disastrous campaigns against Goguryeo. As the empire unravels, Li Yuan and his son Li Shimin enter the struggle for power, with the decisive Battle of Hulao Pass helping secure the Tang’s future.
Then we trade battlefields for the Silk Road, following the Buddhist monk Xuanzang on the extraordinary pilgrimage to India that would later inspire Journey to the West. From ambitious emperors and ingenious engineers to rival warlords and a determined seeker of sacred texts, this episode introduces the people and events that helped launch one of China’s most celebrated dynasties.
And here's a listing of all the Chinese names from this Part 7 episode:
Suí Wéndì 隋文帝, Yáng Guǎng 杨广 / Suí Yángdì 隋炀帝, Yǔwén Kǎi 宇文恺, Lǐ Yuān 李渊 / Táng Gāozǔ 唐高祖, Lady Dúgū 獨孤氏, Lǐ Bǐng 李昞, Lady Dòu 竇氏, Yáng Yòu 杨侑 / Suí Emperor Gōng 隋恭帝, Yáng Tóng 杨侗, Lǐ Shìmín 李世民 / Táng Tàizōng 唐太宗, Lǐ Mì 李密, Wáng Shìchōng 王世充, Dòu Jiàndé 窦建德, Lǐ Jiànchéng 李建成, Liú Hēità 刘黑塔, Liáng Shīdū 梁师都, Xú Yuánlǎng 徐圆朗, Zhǎngsūn Wújì 長孫無忌, Yùchí Jìngdé 尉迟敬德, Fáng Xuánlíng 房玄齡, Dù Rúhuì 杜如晦, Yǔwén Shìjí 宇文士及, Gāo Shìlián 高士廉, Lǐ Yuánjí 李元吉, Empress Zhǎngsūn 长孙皇后, Zhǎngsūn Shèng 长孙晟, Gāo Shìlián 高士廉, Lǐ Chéngqián 李承乾 Lǐ Tài 李泰, Lǐ Zhì 李治 / Táng Gāozōng 唐高宗, Wèi Zhēng 魏徵, Lǐ Shìjī 李世勣, Xuánzàng 玄奘, Wú Chéng’ēn 吴承恩, Huìlì 慧立, Fǎxiǎn 法显, Tǒng Yabghu Qaghan 统叶护可汗, Kumarajiva / Jiūmóluóshí 鸠摩罗什.

After centuries of division, how did China find its way back to unity? Part 6 follows the Northern and Southern Dynasties through an age of political upheaval, cultural transformation, and the flourishing of Buddhism. In Part 6, we'll also explore how the Xianbei 鲜卑 rulers of Northern Wei 北魏 blended steppe traditions with Chinese institutions, while the southern courts nurtured literature and religious scholarship amid palace intrigue and dynastic collapse.
From the reforms of Empress Dowager Feng and Emperor Xiaowen to the Buddhist devotion of Emperor Wu of Liang, we meet the figures who helped shape the foundations of a new imperial age. The story culminates in Yang Jian’s reunification of China under the Sui, his formidable partnership with Empress Dugu, and his dealings with the powerful Göktürks. But a fateful choice of successor threatens their achievements, setting the stage for the reign of Sui Yangdi and the eventual rise of the Tang.
Here's a list of Chinese names from this episode
Fú Jiān 符坚, Tuòbá Guī 拓跋珪 / Dàowǔ 魏道武帝, Emperor Xiàowén 北魏孝文帝, Tuòbá Tāo 拓跋焘 / Emperor Tàiwǔ 北魏太武帝, Emperor Wénchéng 北魏文成帝, Empress Dowager Féng 冯皇后, Emperor Xiànwén 北魏献文帝, Emperor Xuānwǔ 北魏宣武帝, Ěrzhū Róng 尔朱荣, Liáng Wǔdì 梁武帝, Liú Yù 刘裕, Eastern Jìn Emperor Gōng 晋恭帝, Táo Yuānmíng 陶渊明, Xiè Língyùn 谢灵运, Bào Zhào 鲍照, Shēn Yuē 沈约, Jiāng Yān 江淹, Xiāo Tǒng 萧统, Liú Sòng Wéndì 刘宋文帝, Liú Shào 刘劭, Liú Jùn 刘骏, Liú Sòng Emperor Xiàowǔ 刘宋孝武帝, Liú Zǐyè 刘子业 / Qiánfèi 刘宋前废帝, Liú Yìgōng 刘义恭, Princess Shānyīn 山阴公主 / Liú Chǔyù 刘楚玉, Liú Zǐxūn 刘子勋, Liú Sòng emperor Míng 刘宋明帝 / Liú Yù 刘彧, Emperor Hòufèi 刘宋后废 / Liú Yù 刘昱, Xiāo Dàochéng 萧道成, Xiāo Yǎn 萧衍 / Emperor Wǔ of Liáng 梁武帝, Hóu Jǐng 侯景, Wáng Sēngbiàn 王僧辩, Chén Bàxiān 陈霸先 / Chén Wǔdì 陈武帝, Gāo Huān 高欢, Gāo Yáng 高洋 / Northern Qí Emperor Wénxuān 北齐文宣, Eastern Wèi Emperor Xiàojìng 東魏孝靜帝, Gāo Chéng 高澄, Gāo Zhàn 高湛, Northern Qí Emperor Wǔchéng 北齐武成帝, Yǔwén Tài 宇文泰, Yǔwén Jué 宇文觉, Yǔwén Yōng 宇文雍 / Northern Zhōu Emperor Wǔ 北周武帝, Yáng Jiān 杨坚 / Emperor Wén of Suí 隋文帝, Northern Zhou Emperor Xuān 北周宣帝, Yáng Lìhuá 杨丽华, Dúgū Qiéluó 独孤伽罗, Emperor Jìng 北周静帝, Chén Shúbǎo 陈叔宝, Bumin Khagan / Yīlìkè Hán 伊利可汗, Ishbara Qaghan 沙缽略可汗, Yáng Yǒng 杨勇, Yáng Guǎng 杨广 / Suí Yángdì 隋炀帝.

From the flames of Red Cliffs to the turmoil of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Part 5 follows China through an age of legendary heroes, fragile reunification, and renewed division. The episode explores the struggles of Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan, the strategies and enduring legends of Zhuge Liang, and the rise of the Sima family that brought the Three Kingdoms to an end.
But reunification under the Jin dynasty proves short-lived. Palace intrigue and the War of the Eight Princes plunge the empire into chaos, sending ruling families south as new kingdoms emerge across northern China. Along the way, we encounter the decisive Battle of Fei River, the rise of Liu Yu, and the brutal rulers of Later Zhao. Amid the warfare and upheaval, Buddhism begins putting down deeper roots—a lasting transformation that helps shape China’s next chapter.
Here's the usual list of Chinese names from this Part 5 episode
Cáo Cāo 曹操, Liú Bèi 刘备, Zhūgě Liàng 诸葛亮, Zhūgě Xuán 诸葛玄, Huáng Chéngyàn 黄承彦, Huáng Yuèyīng 黄月英, Sīmǎ Huī 司马徽, Zhāng Fēi 张飞, Guān Yǔ 关羽, Luó Guànzhōng 罗贯中, Huáng Gài 黄盖, Cáo Pī 曹丕, Lù Xùn 陆逊, Cáo Ruì 曹叡, Sīmǎ Yì 司马懿, Mèng Huò 孟获, Cáo Shuǎng 曹爽, Cáo Máo 曹髦, Sīmǎ Shī 司马师, Sīmǎ Zhāo 司马昭, Cáo Huàn 曹奐, Jiāng Wéi 姜维, Liú Shàn 刘禅, Zhūgě Zhàn 诸葛瞻, Liáo Huà 廖化, Zhōng Huì 钟会, Dèng Aī 邓艾, Zhūgě Xù 诸葛绪, Sūn Liàng 孙亮, Zhūgě Kè 诸葛恪, Zhūgě Jīn 诸葛瑾, Sūn Jùn 孙骏, Sūn Xiū 孙休, Sīmǎ Yán 司马炎 / Jìn Wǔdì 晋武帝, Sūn Hào 孙皓, Yáng Hù 羊祜, Dù Yù 杜预, Jiǎ Chōng 贾充, Sīmǎ Zhōng 司马衷 / Emperor Huì 晋惠, Yáng Zhǐ 杨芷, Jiǎ Nánfēng 贾南风, Yáng Jùn 杨骏, Sīmǎ Wēi 司马瑋, Sīmǎ Yù 司马遹., Sīmǎ Guāng 司马光, Sīmǎ Lún 司马伦, Sīmǎ Chì 司马炽 / Jìn Emperor Huái 晋怀帝, Liú Yuān 刘渊, Liú Cōng 刘聪, Sīmǎ Yè 司马业 / Emperor Mǐn 晋敏帝, Sīmǎ Ruì 司马睿 / Jìn Emperor Yuán 晋元帝, Fú Jiān 苻坚, Líu Yù 刘裕, Huán Xuán 桓玄, Emperor An 晋安帝, Jin Emperor Gōng 晋恭帝, Shí Lè 石勒, Shí Hóng 石弘, Shí Hǔ 石虎, Shí Xuān 石宣, Shí Tāo 石韬, Fótú Chéng 佛图澄, Dào’ān 道安, Jiūmóluóshí 鸠摩罗什, Fú Shēng 苻生, Mùróng Jùn 慕容儁, Hèlián Bóbó 赫連勃勃
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Thanks for sticking with the program. Twenty-one more episodes to go till the end of the series. This time in part 4, we pick up with the aftermath of Liu Bang's passing in 195BC. This includes the infamous story of Empress Lü. Also covered will be the peak years of the Western Han under Emperors Wen and Jing. There's also an interlude that examines the long life of Zhao Tuo and his Nanyue Kingdom in the south. Then, the life and times of one of China's great emperors, Han Wudi, will be presented along with the adventures of Zhang Qian. I'll also introduce Dong Zhongshu and show how Confucianism triumphed at the imperial court and became part of the ruling structure. This will be followed by the story of Wang Mang, an old family favorite that also includes the fall of the Western Han, the Xin Dynasty, and the establishment of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The episode will conclude with the Eastern Han in pretty bad shape. We'll finish up with the takedown of the Ten Attendants and the introduction of Yuan Shao, Dong Zhuo, and Cao Cao. So, with a lineup like that, you know you're in for a lot of action. From the death of Liu Bang to the rise of Cao Cao, that's a lot of ground to cover. I hope you enjoy.
Here's a list of most of the Chinese names from this episode:
Lǚ Tàihòu 吕太后, Qì Jī 戚姬, Rú Yì 刘如意, Liú Yíng 刘盈, Hàn Huìdì 汉惠帝, Qiánshào 汉前少, Hòushào 汉后少, Liú Héng 刘恒, Hàn Wéndì 汉文帝, Wáng Zhāojūn 王昭君, Dòu Huánghòu 窦皇后, Liú Qǐ 刘启 / Hàn Jǐngdì 汉景帝, Cháo Cuò 晁错, Zhōu Yàfū 周亚夫, Liú Ché 刘彻 / Hàn Wǔdì 汉武帝, Zhào Tuó 赵陀, Zhào Mò 赵眜, Zhào Yīngqí ,赵婴齐, Sīmǎ Tán 司马谈, Sīmǎ Qiān 司马迁, Dǒng Zhòngshū 董仲舒, Gōngsūn Hóng 公孙弘, Zhāng Qiān 张骞, Gānfù 甘父, Huò Qùbìng 霍去病, Wèi Qīng’s 卫青, Lǚ Jiā 吕嘉, King Zhào Xīng 赵兴王, Queen Dowager Jiū 樛太后, Zhào Jiàndé 赵建德, Sīmǎ Xiāngrú 司马相如, Zhuó Wénjūn 卓文君, Liú Hè 刘贺, Huò Guāng 霍光, Han Emperor Zhāo 汉昭帝, Liú Bìngyǐ 刘病已 / Hàn Emperor Xuān 汉宣帝, Hàn Yuándì 汉元帝, Liú Aò 刘骜 / Hàn Chéngdì 汉成帝, Empress Wáng Zhèngjūn 王政君, Liú Xīn 刘欣 / Hàn Emperor Āi 汉哀帝, Wáng Mǎng 王莽, Hàn Pingdì 汉平帝, Rúzǐ Yīng 孺子婴, Liú Yīng 刘婴, Liú Yǎn 刘𬙂, Liú Xiù 刘秀 / Hàn Guāngwǔ / Emperor Gēngshǐ 汉更始帝, Liú Xuán 刘玄, Hàn Míngdì 汉明帝, Emperor Zhāng 汉章帝, Hàn Língdì 汉灵帝, Zhāng Jué 张角, Zhāng Bǎo 张宝, Zhāng Liáng 张梁, Liú Bèi 刘备, Cáo Cāo 曹操, Sūn Jiān 孙坚, Hé Jìn 何进, Yuán Shào 袁绍, Yuán Shù 袁术, Dǒng Zhuó 董卓, Emperor Shào 汉少帝, Liú Xié 刘协 / Emperor Xiàn 汉献帝, Liú Biǎo 刘表, Liú Cóng 刘琮, Sūn Cè 孙策, Sūn Quán 孙权, Zhōu Yú 周瑜, Chéng Pǔ 程普.
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I hope you’re all enjoying the series so far. We continue on in Part 3 with the Warring State of Qín under their bellicose and long-reigning King Zhaoxiang 秦昭襄王, using all the powerful tools at his disposal to overcome the rival kingdoms. This will be followed by the old family favorite story of the dubious rise of Ying Zheng 嬴政 and the matter of his paternity. All your old favorites from the Records of the Grand Historian will play their bit parts in the historical drama: Lǚ Bùwéi 吕不韦, Zhào Jī 赵姬, and Lào Ǎi 嫪毐 and King Zhuangxiang 秦庄襄王. The rest of the episode covers the brief but action-packed rise and fall of the Qin Dynasty and the founding of the Han Dynasty up through the death of Han Gaozu 汉高祖. This is, of course, preceded by the exciting Chu-Han Contention between Xiang Yu 项羽 and Liu Bang 刘邦. I saved the murderous Empress Lü for next time. Below is a list of Chinese historical figures mentioned in this episode.
King Zhāoxiāng of Qín 秦昭襄王, Fàn Jū 范雎, Lǐ Bīng 李冰, Bái Qǐ 白起, Lián Pō 廉颇, Lǐ Mù 李牧, Wáng Jiǎn 王剪, Sīmǎ Cuò 司马错, Zhao King Xiàochéng 赵孝成王, Zhào Kuò 赵括, Zhōu Nǎn Wáng 周赧王, Yíng Zhèng 嬴政, Qin King Xiàowén 秦孝文王, Lǚ Bùwéi 吕不韦, Zhào Jī 赵姬, Lào Ǎi 嫪毐, Lǐ Sī 李斯, Zhào Gāo 赵高, Yíng Fúsū 赢扶苏, Hú Hài 胡亥 / Qín Èrshì 秦二世, Méng Tián 蒙恬, 子楚 / 秦庄襄王, Zhèng Guó 郑国, Jīng Kē 荆轲, Wáng Bēn 王贲, Qín Shǐhuáng 秦始皇, Tú Suī 屠睢, Shǐ Lù 史禄, Chén Shè 陈涉, Wú Guǎng 吴广, Liú Bāng 刘邦, Xiàng Yǔ 项羽. Zǐyīng 赢子婴, Zhào Tuó 赵陀, Hàn Gāozǔ 汉高祖, Xiāo Hé 萧何, Lǚ Zhì 吕雉, Xiàng Liáng 项梁, Zhāng Liáng 张良, Chu King Huái 楚怀王, Fàn Zēng 范增, Hán Xìn 韩信, Chén Píng 陈平, Lù Jiǎ 陆贾, Yīng Bù 英布, Biǎn Què 扁鹊, Liú Yíng 刘盈 / Emperor Hùi 汉惠帝.