In the 19th century, an unlikely international initiative took place. Despite the Qing government's reputation for conservatism and isolationist policies, it actually sponsored a group of 120 Chinese boys to study in the United States. This is ...

We explore crimes and scams in the late ming dynasty with the excellently translated Book of Swindles.https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-book-of-swindles/9780231178631

We finally meet everyone's favorite guy (Song Jiang), and learn about song dynasty interrogation techniques. 

This episode delves into Chinese stamps/seals/chops (印章), exploring the origins, ritualization, and various cultural conventions associated with this ancient practice.Given their existence predating the invention of paper in China, w...

In this episode we discuss the Qing Dynasty's 'Self Strengthening Movement' of roughly 1861-1890. Recognizing the superiority of european weapons, technology, and scientific knowledge, the Qing Dynasty attempted to adopt and in...

Hello everyone. More water margin.Zhang Yhi has to make life changes, and we learn how to motivate your police inspectors. 

In this episode we get to the long awaited robbery of the birthday gifts (worth 100,000 strings of cash).Will our 7 (or 8) brave heroes succeed?

Hello Everyone! The exciting conclusion to our yellow river discussions. In this episode we discuss the near century where active management of the river was abandoned in the late Qing Dynasty, and the Communist party's attempts to...

The plot thickens as Wu Yong seeks out the three Ruan brothers to join the dream team to rob the birthday treasure caravan worth a hundred thousand strings of cash. Could he persuade the three gallant men using this sleek tongue? In this episod...

Hello it's Ch 14 and a plot is starting to heat up.Can our unlikely heroes find 7 (or 8) bold men to help them steal an entire year's worth of bribe money?! 

Hello everyone. It's chapter 13. In this episode we discuss the specifics of Chinese nepotism, and how military command works in the Song Dynasty. 

Our story continues on with a new main character, Yang Zhi.Learn about grotesque rocks, how to bribe people in Song Dynasty China, and why its so dangerous to sell your sword. 

In Episode 11 of water margin we discuss Lin Chong's continued fall from grace, the dangers of failed scholars, and why all the bad boys in the Song Dynasty are eating beef.Article Mentioned:"Beefy Outlaws: Beef Consumption in W...

This is a special episode from Cherrie and Natalie's travels. Tune in to find out why we highly recommend you make a trip to Kinmen Island (and Taiwan!). In this episode we talked about Kinmen's history, culture and politices. Check out...

In this episode Lin Chong gets really mad (and drunk). 

The Grand Canal, a waterway system that travels vast regions of China is famous today as a UNESCO world heritage site. In this episode we discuss its complicated history. Why build a canal? What was the labor cost - measured in countless lives ...

Hello It's Chapter 9!!!Lin Chong continues his journey and we meet Tough Guy enthusiast and sponsor, Chai Jin.We also talk in great, exhaustive detail, on the cultural significance of griddle cakes, and special soups. 

In this episode we talk about the "high reward / high risk" stage of Imperial Chinese hydraulic management during the Late Ming to late Qing dynasties. Vast amounts of money, material, and expertise were poured into keeping the yel...

In this short chapter we deal with the sentencing of Lin Chong after he is framed by Gao Qiu.Despite the best intentions of the local Magistrate, personal power and political connections is always greater than the law in imperial China....

Lin Chong enters the scene, and we also we learn one of the great struggles facing tough dudes in the Northern Song Dynasty, having a hot wife and a lecherous boss.Also discussed: Sworn BrotherhoodCrowsSchemesStrang...

In this episode we discuss China's sorrow, the famous and infamous yellow river (黄河). Stretching through China's north eastern floodplain, it both birthed early chinese civilization, and put it through some of its most harrowing challenges....

In this episode we continue the adventures of Sagacious Lu, and meet up with some old friends. He finally reaches the great Xiangguo monastery and is put in an important position there.We also touch on:Division of Buddhist Monks...

In this latest exciting episode of the WCC Book Club we spend time with Sagacious Lu on his spiritual journey, which seems to involve beating up everyone around him.

In late November 2022, just last month, protests broke out all over China. People took to the streets to voice their discontent against the “Zero Covid” policies of the Chinese government. This came from months of frustration and suffering unde...

In this episode we learn how Lu Da becomes Lu (Sagacious) Zhishen, and the finer points of how to join a chinese monastery.