A Concise History of China-Pangu to Puyi - Part 3

A Concise History of China-Pangu to Puyi - Part 3

September 9, 2026 · 2h 5m

About this episode

This episode continues the history of China, focusing on the Qin Dynasty and the transition to the Han Dynasty, highlighting key historical figures and events.

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 You 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…

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