#340 - Taiping 17: Out of Kings
About this episode
The episode discusses the leadership struggles within the Heavenly Kingdom during the Taiping Rebellion and the actions of key figures in the conflict.
The Heavenly Kingdom, having recently killed kings three and four of its founding five – and misplaced the fifth – attempts to solve its acute leadership shortage. To that end, the Heavenly King turns to his own blood, promoting his brothers – both military novices – and handing supreme military authority to the upjumped royal harem-staffing administrator. Meanwhile, up his own backwater Jiangxi creek, the one man of Great Qing capable of destroying the rebels is finally handed a paddle by his enemies’ infighting... and promptly goes home to bury his father. Two governments, two indispensable men, and one season in which both of them simply choose to walk away.Time Period Covered:1856–1857 CE Major Historical Figures:TaipingHong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King [1814–1864]Shi Dakai, the Wing King [1831–1863]Hong Renfa, the Peace King [d. 1864]Hong Renda, the Blessings King [d. 1864]Meng De'en, Chief of Staff [d. 1861]Chen Yucheng [1837–1862]Li Xiucheng [1823–1864]Yang Xiuqing, the East King [d. 1856]Wei Changhui, the North King [d. 1856] NienZhang Luoxing, Lord of the Alliance [1811–1863]Li Zhaoshou [d. 1881] QingThe Xianfeng Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Yizhu) [r. 1850–1861]Zeng Guofan…
More episodes of The History of China
- #345 - Taiping 22: Heaven Below
- #344 - Taiping 21: Borrowed Things
- #308.5 - Zheng Yi Sao, Pt. 3: The Tiger's Mouth
- #343 - Taiping 20: The Guest & the Host
- #342 - Taiping 19: Approved In the Margins
- #341 - Taiping 18: Titles of the Dead
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The History of China podcast page.