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 world in their bloody image. The Bogus Journey: Reaching the far side of the Caucuses Mountains, Subotai and Jebe have a surprise in store. But the true wonders, riches, and opportunities still lie ahead among the forests and winding rivers north of ..read more

Just as the last vestiges of the Ming are being swept away, a new round of wars will erupt to challenge Manchu suzerainty over China. From both within - as in the rebellions led by the three great feudatory lords of the south - and without - as in the challenges coming from Mongolia and Taiwan - the Kangxi Emperor's reign, and the Qing Dynasty itself, will be tested as never before. Time Period Covered: ~1661-1683 CE Great Qing: The Kangxi Emperor (Xuanye) [r. 1654-1722] Prince Lergiyan Gyesu, Prince Kang of the First Rank [1645-1697] Shang Kexi, Prince of Pingnan [1604-1676] Southern Ming ..read more

After the untimely death of Shunzhi, a regency will be established for the 8-year-old newly-enthroned Kangxi Emperor. These four powerful Manchu lords will each be vying with power for themselves, and the last thing they'll be expecting is a 13-year-old kid to outwit them all. Time Period Covered: 1661-1669 CE Major Historical Figures: The Kangxi Emperor (Xuanye) [r. 1661-1722] Prince-Regent Oboi of the Gulwgiya Clan [c. 1610-1669] Prince-Regent Soni of the Heseri Clan [1601-1667] Prince-Regent Ebilun of the Noihori Clan [d. 1673] Prince-Regent Suksaha of the Nara Clan [d. 1667] Grand Empres ..read more

With the untimely and mysterious death of Prince-Regent Dorgon, the thirteen-year-old Shunzhi Emperor takes personal command of the still unsteady Qing Empire. He's got a lot to do - and it will turn out, not terribly long to do it! From purging prince, to beheading grand secretaries, to winning conquests... to perhaps that hardest of them all: standing up to his own mother, it's Shunzhi in the driver's seat! Time Period Covered: 1651-1661 CE Major Historical Figures: House of Aisin Gioro: The Shunzhi Emperor (Fulin) [r. 1651-1661] Prince-Regent Dorgon [1612-1650] Jirgalang, Prince Zheng of ..read more

Koxinga takes Taiwan by storm, forcing the Dutch East India Company off the island for good, and heralding the dawn of Chinese rule over that overseas outpost. Time Period Covered: 1661-1664 CE Major Historical Figures: Southern Ming Loyalists [Xiamen, Fujian]: Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga), Lord of the Imperial Surname [1624-1662] Yang Ying, Court Revenue Officer & Recordkeeper Dutch East India Co. (VOC) [Ft. Zeelandia, Taiwan]: He Tingbin, Headman & translator Cornelius Caesar [Governor, 1651-1656] Frederick Coyett [Governor, 1656-1662] Hermanus Clenk van Odesse [Governor-select, dispat ..read more

by H.P. Lovecraft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

Though the Japanese bow out of the race for Taiwan with the establishment of the Sakoku "Closed Country" laws, the Spanish set up shot on the northern shore in an effort to stymie Dutch efforts at Ft. Zeelandia in the south. Of course you realize this means war. And surely the Chinese must be around here somewhere, right? Also, there will be rice... and sugar. Time Period Covered: ~1630-1643 CE Major Historical Figures: Dutch East India Co./ Ft. Zeelandia: Governor Hans Putmans Iberian Union/Santissama Trinidad /Manila: King Philip II Luis Perez Dasmariñas, Governor of Manila Hurtado de Cor ..read more

Events on the high seas and islands alike reach a fevered pitch as the Dutch, Japan, China, and Portugal all vie for profit and supremacy over Taiwan and its lucrative trade. Meanwhile - call them what you will (because it's hard to keep track - but the "independent merchants" or "pirate lords" ... sometimes even turned government agents keep looking to exploit every opportunity to enrich themselves while avoiding the noose. Take what you can, give nothin' back! Timeframe Covered: ca. 1600-1639 Major Historical Figures: Dutch East India Company/Batavia/Ft. Zeelandia: Capt. Elie Ripon Pieter ..read more

Pirates! Headhunters! Samurai! The Dutch! Every day's high-stakes adventure on the island everyone's totally ignored until the 1600s! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

ca. 1470-1480 CE Under the tutelage of his queen Mandukhai, Dayan Khan grows from helpless boy to leader of men, learning along the way that vengeance is a dish best served cold. Part 1 of 2 (whole version available at https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofchina): Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more