Best Cassie George And Chris Podcasts (2025)

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#306 - Qing 41: Dead Men Tell No Tales 1:01:54

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3d ago1:01:54

1:01:54

Piracy in Great Qing surges to a "golden age" during the Qianlong & Jiaqing eras. Corsair Confederations like Zheng Yi Sao’s vast-beyond-reckoning Red Flag Fleet, backed by the likes of Vietnam’s Tay Son rebels, dominating the South China Sea through organized plunder and shadow economies. Jiaqing’s shift to accomodation, while necessary, may expos…

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#305- Qing 40: Heshen Must Die! 34:55

10d ago34:55

34:55

For nearly a quarter century, Heshen served the Qing Empire - and in the process managed to amass a fortune that nearly rivaled the throne itself. Yet with the death of his patron Qianlong, the once-favored Grand Councilor would find his remaining state tenure as short as the length of silk ultimately left in his cell. Time Period Covered: 1799-180…

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#304 - Qing 39: Twilight of the Dragon 41:15

18d ago41:15

41:15

As both the Qianlong Emperor's extensive reign and the Eighteenth Century itself comes to a close, the Qing Empire faces - in spite of its outward posturing of timeless grandeur and invulnerability - an ever more uncertain future. By this time his successor, the Jiaqing Emperor, assumes power in fact, the winds of historic change have already begun…

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#303 - Qing 38: The Macartney Expedition 45:10

26d ago45:10

45:10

From London’s harbors to Canton’s bustling hongs and the Qianlong Emperor’s Dragon Throne, Lord George Macartney’s 1792-94 mission to Great Qing unveils profound cultural divides, shaping centuries of Sino-Western relations. This series explores a pivotal diplomatic clash that redefined global history. Time Period Covered: 1792-1794 CE Major Histor…

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#302 - Qing 37: Palace of Mirrors 41:43

1M ago41:43

41:43

Qianlong's empire shines as a beacon of both martial might and cultural splendor, yet its mirrored glory hides truths too fragile for celestial ambitions. Time Period Covered: ~1770-1799CE Major Historical Figures: Qing Empire: The Qianlong Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Hongli) [r. 1735–1796, d. 1799] Grand Councillor Heshen [1750-1799] Great Britain: Lord …

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Special 2: To George, From Qianlong... 19:30

1M ago19:30

19:30

"O King of Wherever, New Throne Who Dis?" 0:00:00 - Edict of Emperor Qianlong to King George III, 1793 0:06:34 - The Second Edict to George III (in reply to Macartney's note) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris Stewart

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Special 1: To Qianlong, From George... 13:54

1M ago13:54

13:54

"Dear Emperor of China, will you be my friend? Check Yes or No..." 0:00:00 - Letter of Credence from King George III to Emperor Qianlong, 1793 CE 0:10:20 - Author's note 0:11:44 - Lord Macartney's Sixfold Proposals for the Improvement of Trade Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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#301 - Qing 36: And I Think It's Gonna Be a Qianlong Time 33:43

2M ago33:43

33:43

In the wake of military victory, Qianlong turns inward—launching literary purges, rewriting history, and curating an image of himself as the enlightened ruler of a Confucian empire. Through censorship, spectacle, and the manipulation of memory, the Qing court fights a new kind of war: one for cultural supremacy and imperial legitimacy. Time Period …

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#300 - Qing 35: Empire of Images 38:49

2M ago38:49

38:49

What does it take to hold an empire together when conquest alone isn’t enough? In this sweeping episode, we explore how the Qianlong Emperor fused culture, coercion, and Confucian performance to stabilize a multiethnic empire—crafting an imperial image as powerful as his armies. Time Period Covered: ~ 1735–1760 CE Major Historical Figures: The Qian…

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#299 - Qing 34: Remember to Remember to Forget You Forgot Me 41:30

2M ago41:30

41:30

This was no peace borne of reconciliation; this was silence, enforced by amnesia. Time Period Covered: ~ 1739-1759 CE Major Historical Figures: Qing Empire: The Qianlong Emperor (Aisin Gioro Hongli) [r. 1735–1796] Minister Fuheng General Bandi [d. 1755] General Yongchang Khalka Mongols: Prince Erinchindorj [d. 1756] Prince Chingünjav [d. 1757] Dzun…

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#298 - Qing 33: Echoes of the Erased 43:08

2M ago43:08

43:08

The story of the last great nomadic empire’s fall - and the Qing’s ruthless imperial vision for a New Frontier. Time Period Covered: 1739-1759 CE Major Historical Figures: The Great Qing Empire: The Qianlong Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Hongli) [r. 1735–1796] General Bandi [d. 1755] Hojs, Hakim Beg of Ush Dzungar Khanate: Galdan Tseren [r. 1727–1745] Tsewa…

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Supplemental: Qianlong's 1758 Dzungar Victory Stele 9:41

2M ago9:41

9:41

The "Old Man of 10 Victories" crows to the Heavens in words of stone of his crushing of the once-mighty Khanate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris Stewart

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#297 - Qing 32: Tea, Trade, & Thunder 40:00

3M ago40:00

40:00

The Qing conquest of Dzungaria did not begin with any kind ofcannon-fire or musketry. Instead, it began like many wars end: with afuneral. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris Stewart

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#296 - Qing 31: The Architect of Capacity 43:41

3M ago43:41

43:41

As his era of rule over Great Qing drows to a close, the Yongzheng Emperor spares neither expense nor detail to reform the empire he inherited and modernize it for the one who will inherit it from him. But this is no idle fancy - he has a definite purpose. Though no great warrior himself, he is nevertheless fully in-line with the century-long grand…

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#295 - Qing 30: Building Better Worlds 36:58

3M ago36:58

36:58

The Yongzheng Emperor seeks to capitalize on his father's greatness abroad - but cautiously. He wants to exterminate the barbarians... but delicately. He wants to build better worlds... no matter how many he has to destroy in the process. He's riding for a fall. Time Period Covered: ~1725-1731 CE Major Historical Figures: Qing Empire: Kangxi Empero…

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Rebroadcast 2025: Special - Tiananmen Square: The Declassified History - 06/01/1999 w/ postscript 2024 23:13

3M ago23:13

23:13

Doc 1: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, A Student Demonstration of Sorts in Tiananmen Square (11/21/85) Doc 2: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, Government Arrests Student Demonstrators (11/25/85) Doc 3: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, More S…

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#294 - Qing 29: The Conquest of Qinghai 43:00

4M ago43:00

43:00

While the Yongzheng Emperor attempts to get his domestic policy ducks in a row from the Forbidden City, out on the Western Frontiers, change is the only constant. Between squabbling Tibetan lamas, restless Kokonor Khans, and the ever-dangerous Dzungar Empire still on the loose out there, the new successor of the late, great Kangxi Emperor has some …

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#293 - Qing 28: Three Treks Across Eurasia 37:47

4M ago37:47

37:47

Leaving behind the imperial court of Beijing, we return to the far frontiers of the northwest, where China, Tibet, Mongolia, and Russia all converge and vie for power. Glory and riches to the victors, subjugation or death for those destined to lose. Into this mix, we follow the travels of three emissaries as they cross deserts, mountains, words, an…

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#292 - Qing 27: The Wonder Years 27:24

4M ago27:24

27:24

The Yongzheng Emperor brings Peace, Justice, & Security to his new Empire. Time Period Covered: 1723-1728 CE Major Works Cited: Perdue, Peter C. China marches west: the Qing conquest of Central Eurasia. Qin, Han Tang (秦漢唐). 不同於戲裡說的雍正皇帝 [A different Yongzheng from the work of fiction] Rowe, William T. China's last empire: the great Qing. Learn more …

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#291 - Qing 26: The Cosplayer of Heaven 36:06

4M ago36:06

36:06

The Yongzheng Emperor's stylings: https://bsky.app/profile/thoc.bsky.social/post/3lnvmogqntk2g Please sign up to support the show at: Patreon.com/thehistoryofchina With the passing of his titan of a father, the Kangxi Emperor's 4th curviving son Prince Yinzheng, will assume the Dragon Throne amidst a tumultuous succession. Amid betrayals and backst…

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The History Of China Podcast/POA Crossover!| Puttin on Airs w/ Trae Crowder & Corey Ryan Forrester 1:32:12

5M ago1:32:12

1:32:12

I'm on with Trae Crowder & Cory Ryan Forrester to talk wild & crazy stories about China. Please forgive the tech difficulties! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKVpUmzGr8o Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris Stewart

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#290 - Qing 25: The End of a (Kangxi) Era 46:02

5M ago46:02

46:02

Beginning in Beijing, and then expanding out all the way to the "New Frontier" of Dzungaria, we take a survey-altitude view of the final decade-ish of the Kangxi Emperor's life & reign over the Qing Empire Time Period Covered: ~1700-1722 CE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Special: Barbarians At the Gates - A Conversation with Jeremiah Jenne 35:53

5M ago35:53

35:53

Original publication: 03/21/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris Stewart

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#289 - Qing 24: Kangxi's Five Stelae of Victory 33:57

6M ago33:57

33:57

In the wake of the Kangxi Emperor's flawless victory + fatality of Galdan Khan, he erects his own definitive version of "The Way Things Happened" - five stone stelae monuments as an everlasting tribute to his greatness, and his side of the story literally written in stone. But even one so mighty as the Lord of Great Qing is not above the twist of f…

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HANZ X-Over: The Sino-Burmese War (1755-1759) 42:50

6M ago42:50

42:50

The History of Aotearoa/New Zealand asked for a little boost in the "what going on elsewhere in the world?" category ca. 1759. Well, we were inclined to be accommodating... It also just so happened that the Qing Empire under the Qianlong Emperor happened to be engaged in a tremendous border clash far to its south... Presenting: The Sino-Burmese War…

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#288 - Special: Hail The The King, Baby 31:12

6M ago31:12

31:12

We end our trio of insider views into the Forbidden City by looking at the life - and strictures - of the Big Man himself: the emperor. Turn out it's not all banquets and parades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris Stewart

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#287 - Special: Caged Birds Sing 39:16

7M ago39:16

39:16

A look into the inner heart of the mysterious Forbidden City of Beijing, and at its most protected - and confined - denizens: the women of the Imperial palace. From Empress, to concubine, to lowly maid - women hold up half of Heaven. Please support the show!: patreon.com/thehistoryofchina Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic…

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#286 - Special: Everything Eunuchs All At Once 36:53

7M ago36:53

36:53

Everything you ever wanted to know (and probably some you didn't) about Court Eunuchs in Imperial China (warning: contains description of castration & its effects) Mary M. Anderson, Hidden Power: The Palace Eunuchs of Imperial China. Duhalde, Marcelo. "How an army of eunuchs ran the Forbidden City" in The South China Morning Post. Learn more about …

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The Bullsnake 48:58

7M ago48:58

48:58

Chris, Cassie, and George discuss one of Chris' favorite snakes, the Bullsnake. You'll learn all about these fantastic snakes, including just about everything you need to know before you add one to your family, from enclosure requirements to prey size, to dealing with lots and lots of poop. Give it a listen and find out What's Herpenin.…

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#285 - Mongol 11: The Khan Is Dead; Long Live The Khan! (Ögedei Full) 1:12:50

8M ago1:12:50

1:12:50

Genghis Khan is dead, and his 3rd son Ögedei has ben selected to lead the Mongol Empire into an uncertain future. Once he is confirmed on the throne, he'll strike on in every direction against every foe at once. On the way, there will be virgin sacrifices, talking wolves, free money, mass enslavement, Persian princes, Assassins, poison, angry water…

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#284 - Qing 23: Frozen Ashes 33:17

8M ago33:17

33:17

Galdan is dead. Kangxi's victory is total. It's all over but the crying. ... and the executions via slow-slicing... and the crushing of his bones... and the punishment of his family... and the writing him out of history... Please support the show!: patreon.com/thehistoryofchina Time Period Covered: 1697-8 CE Major Historical Figures: Qing Dynasty: …

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#283 - Qing 22: Crimson Snow 32:56

8M ago32:56

32:56

The Kangxi Emperor ruthlessly tracks down Galdan Khan, leaving him and his followers with nowhere to turn and nowhere to hide. The end draws close... Please support the show!: patreon.com/thehistoryofchina Time Period Covered: 1697-8 CE Major Historical Figures: Qing Dynasty: The Kangxi Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Xuanye) [r. 1654-1722] Jean-Francois Gerb…

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#282 - Mongol 10: The Succession & The Last Battle 1:13:18

9M ago1:13:18

1:13:18

Even the invincible Genghis Khan must face the inevitability of death. It holds no fear for him personally, but before he surrenders at last to oblivion, he needs to see two tasks through to the end: who will succeed him as Emperor of the World, and making sure an old enemy gets what has long been coming to them... Time Period Covered: 1220-1227 CE…

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#281 - Qing 21: Kangxi & Galdan At Jao Modo, Their Eyes Red 36:20

10M ago36:20

36:20

The jaws of the Kangxi Emperor close in around Galdan Khan, as his own dream of "The Great Mongol Enterprise" crash down around him at a fateful stand of 100 trees abutting a tiny stream somewhere in the vastness of the steppes. To the victor go the draft histories... Please support the show!: patreon.com/thehistoryofchina Time Period Covered 1696 …

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#280 Qing 20: Kangxi & Galdan At Jao Modo, Their Faces Black 35:26

10M ago35:26

35:26

Galdan Khan has slipped The Kangxi Emperor’s trap, but only by the skin of his teeth. Now having retreated deep into the heart of Central Asia, he’ll think himself safe. But the Dread Lord of Great Qing is not one to let a vendetta go so easily… Please support the show!: patreon.com/thehistoryofchina Time Period Covered 1691-1696 CE Major Historica…

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#279 - Qing 19: The Treaty of Nerchinsk 46:39

10M ago46:39

46:39

In an epic handshake of history, the Qing and Russian Empires hammer out the first major treaty between East and West. It's good for Great Qing, it's maybe good for Russia... but it's definitely not good for the Mongols who got iced out of the negotiations by a couple of Puritan hustlers, like Galdan Khan and his harried host of Dzungars. Not good …

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Extra: Interview with Vince & Cassie of the Autocrat Podcast 28:38

11M ago28:38

28:38

A chat with Vince and Cassie of the Autocrat Podcast comparing and contrasting the Roman and Chinese origins and genesis legends, folktales, & mythos. Find Autocrat Podcast at: autocratpodcast.wordpress.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris Stewart

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#278 - Strange Tales IX.2: To Mortal Strife 33:08

11M ago33:08

33:08

A hefty second helping of weird, whimsical, wondrous, and wicked tales of the supernatural from the Zhou, Han, Liu Song, Yuan, and Qing Dynasties, for evenings when leaves quake from branches & the walls between the worlds grows thin. 0:00:00 - "Finishing Jiao's Poem" By: The One Within the Mound (Tr. Larry Hammer & Chris Stewart). 0:02:51 - "The T…

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Special: The Raven 10:09

11M ago10:09

10:09

By Edgar Allen Poe [1809-1849] Published: 1845 Happy Halloween 2024! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Chris Stewart

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#277 - Strange Tales IX: Fox Tails 17:26

11M ago17:26

17:26

A trio of seasonal tales about the Korean version of the classic fox spirit, the kumiho (huli jing [CN]/kitsune [JP]) as well as their implications bout the societies they stemmed from. "The Maiden's Grave" - 02:21 "The Bone The Was a Fox" - 03:39 "The Fox Sister" - 06:22 From: Fenkl, Heinz Inzu. "Fox Wives & Other Dangerous Women." Learn more abou…

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#276 - Qing 18: Kangxi Gets Personal 44:29

12M ago44:29

44:29

The Kangxi Emperor of Great Qing squares off again Galdan Khan of the Dzungar Khanate in the sociopolitical-religio-military showdown of the late 17th century! Kangxi wants to flex his imperial muscle - in person! - up to and including enacting a "Final Solution" against the un-subdued Mongol peoples under Galdan, but the wily khan will amply demon…

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Special - Mid-Autumn: Fly Me to the Moon 13:37

12M ago13:37

13:37

A brief history of Mid-Autumn Festival, and the tale of Hou Yi the Archer & the Ten Suns, and Chang'e & the Moon In other words, please be true In other words, I love you. Sources: Barlett, Scarlett. The Mythology Bible: The Definitive Guide to Legendary Tales. Masaka, Mori. “Restoring the ‘Epic of Hou Yi’” in Asian Folklore Studies, vol. 52, no. 5…

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#275 - Qing 17: Office of Barbarian Control 34:49

1y ago34:49

34:49

With its southern border finally pacified, the Qing Dynasty under its Kangxi Emperor must now contend with a rising challenge to the northeast: the ascent and enthronement of a real steppe wildcard, the chieftain Galdan, as reigning Khan of the Dzungar Mongols. Kangxi will strive to use him as he has used all other neighboring petty-potentates - as…

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#274 - Qing 16: A Whole New Frontier 49:05

1y ago49:05

49:05

Across the trackless expanses of the northwestern frontier zones, far beyond the final vestiges of Great Qing sovereignty or protection, independent, oasis trade hubs survive and even thrive across central Asia during the chaos of the 16th & 17th centuries. They and their denizens, though largely cut off from the rest of the wider world, neverthele…

1
#273 - Qing 15: Something Rotten In the Heir 49:42

1y ago49:42

49:42

With border disputes and foreign affair emergencies levelling off, the Kangxi Emperor is able to turn his attentions inward toward the domestic, the home and hearth. But it's not all bbqs and pickleball there, either - there's the questions of succession, for one... who will be next when Kangxi is no more? And an heir there is... but... does someth…

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#272 - Special: A Midsummer Night's Dreams 18:54

1y ago18:54

18:54

A set of short fever dreams from Chinese folklore to beat the summer heat... 1:25 - A Pipa Competition, by: Li Zhi 4:45 - The "Magical" Pear Tree, by: Pu Songling 8:15 - Real Life In the Capital, by: Ji Yun 13:55 - The Realness of Paintings & Demons, by: Pu Songling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Special - Tiananmen Square: The Declassified History - 06/01/1999 w/ postscript 2024 22:13

1+ y ago22:13

22:13

Doc 1: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, A Student Demonstration of Sorts in Tiananmen Square (11/21/85) Doc 2: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, Government Arrests Student Demonstrators (11/25/85) Doc 3: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, More S…

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#271 - Mongol 9: The Immortal 53:20

1+ y ago53:20

53:20

As he feels the inevitable passage of time take its toll on his body and soul, Genghis Khan looks for answers - about how to extend his rule and his life, perhaps even how to gain life everlasting. Thus, when word reaches him on the eve of his Khwarazmian campaign of a Daoist Immortal living in the mountains of Shandong, he will seek this master ou…

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#270 - Qing 14: From Russia, Rome, and Ningxia With Love 40:42

1+ y ago40:42

40:42

Be sure to check out Airwave Media's list of 100 Best podcasts! ThoC is #69 (Nice!): https://blog.feedspot.com/airwave_media_podcasts/ The Kangxi Emperor squashes his beef with the three rebellious feudatories of the south by squashing their traitorous lords, only to have to pivot northward once again to face down... who? The Russians? And the Mong…

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#269 - Mongol 8 - Subotai & Jebe's "Wyld Stallyns" Duology 1:22:06

1+ y ago1:22:06

1:22:06

The Excellent Adventure: In the course of their pursuit of the fleeing Khwarazmian Amir, Genghis Khan’s two top commanders have reached the shores of the Caspian Sea, and heard some of the strangest tales about what – and who – lay beyond. When the Great Khan gives his go-ahead to scout it out, they’ll launch a three-year trek that will remake the …