S8E04 | Run For Your Life

S8E04 | Run For Your Life

Author: Laszlo Montgomery August 27, 2023 Duration: 18:19

Once again we thank The Grand Historian for giving up another good one. This one's an eight-character chengyu. The story goes back to 206 BC and the famous story of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu's meeting at The Banquet at Hongmen. Here, the two contenders for the emperorship of China, meet face to face. Only one of them could sit on that throne and beginning right here, the Chu-Han Contention begins. The chengyu for this time, 项庄舞剑, 意在沛公 Xiàng Zhuāng Wǔ Jiàn, Yì Zài Pèi Gōng comes from this slice of history mentioned in the Record of the Grand Historian from the chapter on Xiang Yu. People who have a lot to lose, especially in the world of politics and government should pay attention to this one. It's a good one to use when describing someone who may appear all nice and pleasant but who has a hidden motive to do you harm. Enjoy!

White Vengeance video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H3yXEh7KCQ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


For more than a decade, Laszlo Montgomery has been guiding audiences through the vast and intricate tapestry of Chinese civilization on The China History Podcast. This isn't a dry recitation of dates and dynasties, but a deeply researched exploration of the people, ideas, and events that have shaped one of the world's oldest continuous cultures. Each episode feels like a focused conversation, unpacking a specific theme, figure, or era with a clarity that makes complex history accessible. You'll find episodes delving into the philosophical foundations laid by Confucius and Laozi, the machinations of imperial courts, the transformative impact of the Silk Road, and the profound changes of the modern age. With a catalog surpassing 350 episodes, the journey spans from deepest antiquity to contemporary times, offering a comprehensive resource for both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts. Laszlo's steady narration and careful curation build connections across centuries, revealing how the past continuously informs the present. Tuning into this podcast is an ongoing education, revealing the incredible depth and diversity of Chinese history, society, and culture, one story at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The China History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 333 | Keye Luke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:55
If you're someone born in the 1940s-50s and 60s, Keye Luke was a familiar name, especially if you watched American TV. As a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild, I thought his story might be timely. Set's take a br…
S8E03 | Gimme Three Steps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:04
With a cast of characters like the Dukes of Jin and Chu and everyone's favorite exile Chong Er, you're guaranteed a treat. This is the story behind the chengyu: 退避三舍 Tuì Bì Sān Shè. The story of Chong Er, his escape from…
Ep. 332 | The History of Yunnan Province (Part 5) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:31
Here's the final episode in the Yunnan history series. In this episode, we pick up in 1875 in the wake of the Margary Affair and take the story through the end of the Qing and into the Warlord and Republican era. Warlord…
S8E02 | Blue, Blue, My World is Blue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:47
This time we're featuring another oldie but goodie, Qīng Chū Yú Lán 青出于蓝. Though Xunzi was the inspiration for the chengyu, the tale behind this Chinese Saying comes from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. The l…
New from Empires - An Asian Business Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:12
Starting last year I became a big fan of many of the new shows that have been emerging from Singapore, India, China, the Philippines, and elsewhere in Asia. My buddy at 1UP Media, Yeo Guang Jin is running a multi-part se…
Ep. 331 | The History of Yunnan Province (Part 4) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Here's Part 4 of my latest effort. This episode examines all the events leading up to, during, and immediately after The Panthay Rebellion, 1856-1872. Since the time of the Mongols, the Hui Chinese had served the dynasti…
S8E01 | Wouldn't Change a Thing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:30
Welcome back to another season of Chinese Sayings. For the Season 8 opener, we open with a well-known and useful chengyu: Yī Zì Qiān Jīn 一字千金. The story behind this classic from The Record of the Grand Historian features…
Ep. 330 | The History of Yunnan Province (Part 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:26
In this latest installment of the Yunnan History series, we take the narrative up to the Qing Dynasty in the 1800s. The province had been relatively peaceful since the late 13th-century Mongol conquest. Then, not so much…

«1...678910