The History of China

As Toghon Temur - the eleventh and final Great Khan of the Yuan, takes the throne - the dam holding back the near century of bad decisions back begins to buckle. Things are not helps by a dramatic climate shift, or the outbreak of one of the worst pandemics in human history, either... can we really blame the apocalyptic cults that spring up for thinking it's the end of the world? Time Period Covered: 1333~1344 CE Major Historical Figures: Toghon Temur Khaghan [r. 1333-1368, 1370] Grand Chancellor Bayan Ba'atur of the Merkid [1280-1340] Zhu Yuanzhang [1328-1398] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31 years later, To forget is to risk it all happening anew...

31 years later, To forget is to risk it all happening anew... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the aftermath of the Golden Horde's devastating strike into Eastern Europe, Christendom reels. As apocalyptic as the assaults were, the great enemy's sudden and inexplicable evaporation offers no comfort, and only more questions. In order to get some answers, the Holy See will dispatch an unlikely candidate to make his way across the whole of Eurasia in an attempt to first find, and then meet with, the King of the Tartars - whoever, and wherever he may be... Time Period Covered: 1245-1247 CE Major Historical Figures: European Christendom: Pope Innocent IV [r. 1243-1254] Friar Giovanni da Pian del Carpine (John of Plano Carpini) [ca. 1185-1252] Friar Benedict of Poland [ca. 1200-ca. 1280] Friar Stephen of Bohemia Konrad I, High Duke of Krakow [ca. 1187-1247] Prince Daniel Romanovich of Galacia [1201-1264] Grand Prince Vasilko (Basil) Romanovich of Kiev [1203-1269] Grand Prince Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich of Vladimir [1191-1246] Mongol Empire: Guyük Khaghan [r. 1246-1248] Toregene Khatun [r. 1241-1246] Batu Khan of the Golden Horde [ca. 1205-1255] Grand Secretary Chinqai of Khwarazm

In the aftermath of the Golden Horde's devastating strike into Eastern Europe, Christendom reels. As apocalyptic as the assaults were, the great enemy's sudden and inexplicable evaporation offers no comfort, and only more questions. In order to get some answers, the Holy See will dispatch an unlikely candidate to make his way across the whole of Eurasia in an attempt to first find, and then meet with, the King of the Tartars - whoever, and wherever he may be... Time Period Covered: 1245-1247 CE Major Historical Figures: European Christendom: Pope Innocent IV [r. 1243-1254] Friar Giovanni da Pian del Carpine (John of Plano Carpini) [ca. 1185-1252] Friar Benedict of Poland [ca. 1200-ca. 1280] Friar Stephen of Bohemia Konrad I, High Duke of Krakow [ca. 1187-1247] Prince Daniel Romanovich of Galacia [1201-1264] Grand Prince Vasilko (Basil) Romanovich of Kiev [1203-1269] Grand Prince Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich of Vladimir [1191-1246] Mongol Empire: Guyük Khaghan [r. 1246-1248] Toregene Khatun [r. 1241-1246] Batu Khan of the Golden Horde [ca. 1205-1255] Grand Secretary Chinqai of Khwarazm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My interview with Beijing-based author and journalist Michael Schuman about China's history, present, future, and food... and of course about his upcoming book, "Superpower Interrupted: The Chinese History of the World," available on June 9th, 2020. Find Michael on Twitter under the handle @michaelschuman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My interview with Beijing-based author and journalist Michael Schuman about China's history, present, future, and food... and of course about his upcoming book, "Superpower Interrupted: The Chinese History of the World," available on June 9th, 2020. Find Michael on Twitter under the handle @michaelschuman

We start today in the aftermath of the murder of the 9th Great Mongol Khan and the 5th Emperor of Yuan. We end a decade later, at the beginning of the 15th Great Khan and 11th Yuan Emperor... coincidentally (or not) the last of both. The treachery, assassinations, wars, and power-plays that get us from that start to that end will threaten to split the very soul of the empire in two. Also, there's a lot of Temürs along the way... like, a *lot,* a lot! Time Period Covered: 1323-1333 CE Major Events: * Coup at Nanpo [Sept. 4, 1323] - Outcome: assassination of Shidebala Khaghan, accession of Yesün Temür Khaghan * War of the Two Capitals [Aug. 1328-Nov. 14, 1328 (sporadic resistance thru 1332)] - Outcome: Khaishan Restorationist victory/ Shangdu Loyalist defeat, overthrow of Aragibagh & enthronement of Jayaatu Khaghan * Incident at Ongghochatu [Aug. 26-30, 1329] - Outcome: assassination of Khoshila, restoration of Togh Temur Khaghan to the throne Relevant Historical Figures: Great Yuan: Shidebala (Gegeen Khaghan/Yuan Yingzong) [r. 1320-1323] Yesün Temür (Khaghan/Yuan Taiding) [r. 1323-1328] Aragibagh (Khaghan/Yuan Tianshun) [r. Oct.-Nov. 1328] Togh Temür (Jayaatu Khaghan/Yuan Wenzong) [r. Oct. 1328-Apr. 1329, Sept. 1329- Sept. 1332] Khoshila (Khutughtu Khaghan/Yuan Mingzong) [r. Feb. 1329-Aug. 1329] Rinchinbal (Khaghan/Yuan Ningzong) [r. Oct. 29, 1332-Dec. 14, 1332] Toghon Temür (Ukhaghatu Khaghan/Yuan Huizong) [r. 1333-1368] Empress Budashiri [1307-1340] Crown Prince Aradnadara [d. 1330] Prince El Tegüs [c. 1329-c. 1340] Daula-shah, Grand Councilor of the Right [d. 1228] El Temür, General & Grand Councillor of the Right [d. 1333] Bayan of the Merkids, General & Grand Councillor of the Left [d. 1340] Chagatai Khanate: Esen Bukha I, Khan [r. 1310-1318] Eljigidey Khan [r. 1326-1329] Golden Horde: Öz Beg Khan [r. 1313-1341] Ilkhanate: Abu Sa'id (Bahadur Khan) [r. 1316-1335] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We start today in the aftermath of the murder of the 9th Great Mongol Khan and the 5th Emperor of Yuan. We end a decade later, at the beginning of the 15th Great Khan and 11th Yuan Emperor... coincidentally (or not) the last of both. The treachery, assassinations, wars, and power-plays that get us from that start to that end will threaten to split the very soul of the empire in two. Also, there's a lot of Temürs along the way... like, a *lot,* a lot! Time Period Covered: 1323-1333 CE Major Events: * Coup at Nanpo [Sept. 4, 1323] - Outcome: assassination of Shidebala Khaghan, accession of Yesün Temür Khaghan * War of the Two Capitals [Aug. 1328-Nov. 14, 1328 (sporadic resistance thru 1332)] - Outcome: Khaishan Restorationist victory/ Shangdu Loyalist defeat, overthrow of Aragibagh & enthronement of Jayaatu Khaghan * Incident at Ongghochatu [Aug. 26-30, 1329] - Outcome: assassination of Khoshila, restoration of Togh Temur Khaghan to the throne Relevant Historical Figures: Great Yuan: Shidebala (Gegeen Khaghan/Yuan Yingzong) [r. 1320-1323] Yesün Temür (Khaghan/Yuan Taiding) [r. 1323-1328] Aragibagh (Khaghan/Yuan Tianshun) [r. Oct.-Nov. 1328] Togh Temür (Jayaatu Khaghan/Yuan Wenzong) [r. Oct. 1328-Apr. 1329, Sept. 1329- Sept. 1332] Khoshila (Khutughtu Khaghan/Yuan Mingzong) [r. Feb. 1329-Aug. 1329] Rinchinbal (Khaghan/Yuan Ningzong) [r. Oct. 29, 1332-Dec. 14, 1332] Toghon Temür (Ukhaghatu Khaghan/Yuan Huizong) [r. 1333-1368] Empress Budashiri [1307-1340] Crown Prince Aradnadara [d. 1330] Prince El Tegüs [c. 1329-c. 1340] Daula-shah, Grand Councilor of the Right [d. 1228] El Temür, General & Grand Councillor of the Right [d. 1333] Bayan of the Merkids, General & Grand Councillor of the Left [d. 1340] Chagatai Khanate: Esen Bukha I, Khan [r. 1310-1318] Eljigidey Khan [r. 1326-1329] Golden Horde: Öz Beg Khan [r. 1313-1341] Ilkhanate: Abu Sa'id (Bahadur Khan) [r. 1316-1335] Major Works Cited: Atwood, Christopher P. (2004) Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire. Dardess, John. (1973). Conquerors and Confucians: Aspects of Political Change in Late Yüan China. Hsiao, Ch'i-ch'ing. (1978). "Mid-Yuan Politics" in The Cambridge History of China, vol. 6: Alien Regimes and Border States, 907-1368. Robinson, David M. (2009). Empire’s Twilight: Northeast Asia under the Mongols.

Temur Khan's death without an heir sparks a power vacuum within the Yuan court - two brothers will come to power together, but only one will be able to sit the throne at a time, who will succeed? Meanwhile, as money issues continue to plague the empire, the Mongol nobility get more and more fed-up with the Yuan Borjigins' continual shift toward Chinese-style reforms. Time Period Covered: 1307-1323 CE Major Historical Figures: Khaishan (Külüg Khaghan/Emperor Wuzong) [r. 1307-1311] Ayurbarwada (Buyantu Khaghan/Emperor Renzong) [r. 1311-1320] Shidebala (Gegeen Khaghan/Emperor Yingzong) [r.1320-1323] Grand Empress Dowager Targi [d. 1322] Empress Bulukhan [d. 1307] Khosila, Prince of Zhou Prince Ananda [d. 1307] Grand Councilor of the Right, Harghasun [d. 1307] Grand Councilor of the Right, Temüder [d. 1322] Grand Councilor of the Left/Right, Baiju [d.1323】 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Temur Khan's death without an heir sparks a power vacuum within the Yuan court - two brothers will come to power together, but only one will be able to sit the throne at a time, who will succeed? Meanwhile, as money issues continue to plague the empire, the Mongol nobility get more and more fed-up with the Yuan Borjigins' continual shift toward Chinese-style reforms. Time Period Covered: 1307-1323 CE Major Historical Figures: Khaishan (Külüg Khaghan/Emperor Wuzong) [r. 1307-1311] Ayurbarwada (Buyantu Khaghan/Emperor Renzong) [r. 1311-1320] Shidebala (Gegeen Khaghan/Emperor Yingzong) [r.1320-1323] Grand Empress Dowager Targi [d. 1322] Empress Bulukhan [d. 1307] Khosila, Prince of Zhou Prince Ananda [d. 1307] Grand Councilor of the Right, Harghasun [d. 1307] Grand Councilor of the Right, Temüder [d. 1322] Grand Councilor of the Left/Right, Baiju [d.1323】

King Bela IV of Hungary has a bit of a barbarian problem. You see, he let in some Cumans, but now some different barbarians are demanding that he give them back. So Bela does the sensible thing: he kills the Mongol emissaries. Batu Khan and General Subotai are less than pleased... Time Period Covered: c. 1239-1242 CE Major Historical Figures: Mongol Empire: Batu Khan [c. 1205-1255] General Subotai Ba'atur ("the Valiant") [c. 1175-1248] General Khadan [d. 125?] General Shiban [d. 1266] Kingdom of Greater Hungary: King Bela III [r. 1172-1196] King Andrew II [r. 1205-1235] King Bela IV [r. 1235-1265] Duke Coloman of Slavonia [d. 1241] Archbishop Ugolin of Kaolocsa [d. 1241] Duke Palatine of Hungary [d. 1241] Bishop Benedict of Oradea [d. 1241] Templar Master Rembald de Voczon [d. 1241] Archdeacon Thomas of Spalato [1200-1268] Master Roger of Torre Maggiore, Archdeacon of Varad [1205-1266] Cuman Tribes: Chieftain Khotan [d. 1140] Austria: Duke Frederick of Austria "the Quarrelsome" [d. 1245] Holy Roman Empire: Emperor Frederick II [r. 1220-1250] Conrad IV, King of Italy, Germany, the Romans, and Jerusalem [r. 1228-1254] Roman Catholic Church: Pope Gregory IX [r. 1227-1241] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

King Bela IV of Hungary has a bit of a barbarian problem. You see, he let in some Cumans, but now some different barbarians are demanding that he give them back. So Bela does the sensible thing: he kills the Mongol emissaries. Batu Khan and General Subotai are less than pleased... Time Period Covered: c. 1239-1242 CE Major Historical Figures: Mongol Empire: Batu Khan [c. 1205-1255] General Subotai Ba'atur ("the Valiant") [c. 1175-1248] General Khadan [d. 125?] General Shiban [d. 1266] Kingdom of Greater Hungary: King Bela III [r. 1172-1196] King Andrew II [r. 1205-1235] King Bela IV [r. 1235-1265] Duke Coloman of Slavonia [d. 1241] Archbishop Ugolin of Kaolocsa [d. 1241] Duke Palatine of Hungary [d. 1241] Bishop Benedict of Oradea [d. 1241] Templar Master Rembald de Voczon [d. 1241] Archdeacon Thomas of Spalato [1200-1268] Master Roger of Torre Maggiore, Archdeacon of Varad [1205-1266] Cuman Tribes: Chieftain Khotan [d. 1140] Austria: Duke Frederick of Austria "the Quarrelsome" [d. 1245] Holy Roman Empire: Emperor Frederick II [r. 1220-1250] Conrad IV, King of Italy, Germany, the Romans, and Jerusalem [r. 1228-1254] Roman Catholic Church: Pope Gregory IX [r. 1227-1241]

Olziyet Temur - the Blessed Iron Khan - takes the throne as the Yuan Dynasty's second emperor, Changzong "The Preserver." He has taken it upon himself to uphold and protect his grandfather Khubilai's glorious legacy... but granddad sure left a bit of a mess for him to try to clear up. Time Period Covered: 1294-1307 CE Major Historical Figures: Olziyet Temur Khan (Emperor Changzong of Yuan) [r. 1294-1307 CE] Empress Bulukhan Crown Prince Deshou [d. 1306] Empress-Dowager Kököchin Gammala, Prince of Jin Öljei, Grand Councilor of the Right [d. 1303] Sayyid Boyan al-Dīn, Finance Minister Khaidu Khan of House Ögedei [d. 1301] Du'a Khan of House Chagatai  Öljeitu, Ilkhan of House Hülegü General Bayan of the Barin, "Hundred Eyes" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Olziyet Temur - the Blessed Iron Khan - takes the throne as the Yuan Dynasty's second emperor, Changzong "The Preserver." He has taken it upon himself to uphold and protect his grandfather Khubilai's glorious legacy... but granddad sure left a bit of a mess for him to try to clear up. Time Period Covered: 1294-1307 CE Major Historical Figures: Olziyet Temur Khan (Emperor Changzong of Yuan) [r. 1294-1307 CE] Empress Bulukhan Crown Prince Deshou [d. 1306] Empress-Dowager Kököchin Gammala, Prince of Jin Öljei, Grand Councilor of the Right [d. 1303] Sayyid Boyan al-Dīn, Finance Minister Khaidu Khan of House Ögedei [d. 1301] Du'a Khan of House Chagatai Öljeitu, Ilkhan of House Hülegü General Bayan of the Barin, "Hundred Eyes"