China's Living Legends

China's Living Legends

Welcome to "China's Living Legends" your gateway to the enchanting world of Chinese stories, legendary heroes, and the art of martial combat. Dive into captivating tales that blend ancient myths with the rich history of Chinese martial arts. From epic battles and courageous warriors to the wisdom of historical figures, our channel explores the fascinating intersections of folklore and history.

Episodes

July 17, 2025 13 mins

Discover why China’s bloodiest civil war sparked one of its greatest literary movements.In this video, we explore why the An Lushan Rebellion—a brutal civil war that shattered the Tang dynasty—became the unlikely catalyst for a literary renaissance.Discover how trauma, leisure, and power struggles shaped the birth of chuanqi, the short story genre that changed Chinese literature forever.Why did disaster fuel creativity? And what do...

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Think your salary is low?Hai Rui, the Ming Dynasty’s most honest official, could barely afford to eat—despite serving the emperor.This episode explores how China’s imperial salary system trapped officials in poverty, why corruption became normalized, and what it says about institutional failure across dynasties.❣️If You Like My Video 👇🏻:💌https://buymeacoffee.com/sldingThis episode examines the roots of low official salaries in a...

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⚔️ Liu Bang didn’t win through strength — he won through strategy.While Xiang Yu dominated the battlefield, Liu Bang mastered the political chessboard.In this episode, we dive deep into the Chu-Han Contention, revealing the tactics and betrayals that determined the future of China.🧠 What You’ll Discover:The meaning behind the phrase “Liu Bang ultimately gains the realm”Liu Bang’s fake emotional stunt to delay Xiang Yu — and why it...

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📺 Rejected. Forgotten. Then Feared.Long before Liu Bang ruled China, there was one man whose mind won the war.His name was Han Xin — and his strategies changed Chinese history forever.⚔️ But everything changed.From the shadows of disgrace, Han Xin emerged as Liu Bang’s secret weapon, mastering battlefield strategies that shattered armies and outwitted rivals. His daring moves turned the tides in the brutal Chu-Han Contention.

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Military Strategy and Force Requirements

 Political Caution and Trust Issues3. Understanding the King's Psychology

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📜 Why did so many poets risk everything for one test?In the Tang Dynasty, the imperial exam was a ruthless path to power—where scrolls mattered more than swords.But was it really fair?

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📜 Discover how candidates competed through the infamous Jinshi exam, how literary skills became weapons of advancement, and why “networking” (yes—even then!) could make ...

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Early Chinese Banking – Long before Europe, merchants, temples, and inns handled loans, savings, and payments—creating an economy built on trust.

https://youtu.be/4yv7AnwQpTg

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🏠 Ever wondered if Qing dynasty officials could actually afford to buy a home?💸 Even a fifth-rank official struggled to survive—let alone own property.📉 This video reveals the brutal financial reality behind the glamour of imperial China.

https://youtu.be/KUbX1QyC-CM

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This is not the story of emperors. It’s the story of the men behind the throne—the power brokers, the generals, the rebels, and the shadows.📌 Featuring:– Lü Buwei: Merchant, schemer, and the man who engineered the royal bloodline– Lao Ai: A lover-turned-coup leader whose scandal nearly toppled the palace– Bai Qi: Ruthless general responsible for one of history’s bloodiest massacres– Jing Ke: The would-be assassin whose failed miss...

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Women Weaving by Torchlight – The hidden gig economy of ancient China: cooperative workspaces, freeloaders, and community rules.
👁‍🗨 Why watch?If you’ve ever felt overworked, undervalued, or stuck in a broken system—this is your story.History doesn’t just repeat. Sometimes, it never left.
https://youtu.be/FHNKJf0NKtY

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- Building systems... and losing control (Li Si)

What really destroyed the mighty Qin Empire? It’s the story of the men behind the throne—the power brokers, the generals, the rebels, and the shadows.

https://youtu.be/6rJ4yZKavFg

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She was the queen mother. He was a fake eunuch — and her secret lover.Together, they nearly brought down the Qin court.This is the shocking story of Empress Dowager Zhao and Lao Ai, a man planted in the palace by cunning politician Lu Buwei. Backed by lust and ambition, they plotted a coup — only to be crushed by the young king Ying Zheng, later known as Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.🩸 What drove a son to kill his moth...

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May 9, 2025 18 mins

Lu Buwei and the Rise of Qin

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What if marriage in ancient China wasn’t just about love—but about power, survival, and family politics?In this episode of 1000-Year-Old Worker Life, we uncover the hidden, surprising realities of marriage and divorce in Ancient China—where personal relationships were far from private and had major political consequences.Discover how rulers, like Duke Xuan of Wei, navigated complex relationships with wives, concubines, and heirs, a...

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Ever wondered what it was really like to be an ancient Chinese worker?Forget the emperors — let’s dive into the everyday struggles of ordinary people who had to work hard just to survive.In this episode, we explore the life of an ancient Chinese “working class” from the clothes they wore, the food they ate, to the toilets they used.🔹 Topics covered:👘 Clothing: How your job shaped what you wore (and why underwear wasn’t always an ...

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How did people land government jobs in ancient China? And what happened after they passed the legendary imperial exams?In this episode, we take you deep inside the civil service system of the Tang and Song dynasties — from the brutal exam process to the complex bureaucracy that determined an official's career path. Learn why passing the exam wasn’t enough, how officials were ranked, and what really mattered when it came to promotio...

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What if history itself was a form of rebellion?In imperial China, court historians didn’t just record events—they held emperors accountable. Some even dared to expose the truth when the emperor wanted it buried.https://youtu.be/bkc43NYpQOg👀 Were these scribes secret heroes of justice... or dangerous enemies of the throne?This video explores the hidden power struggle between the pen and the crown.💬 What do you think: Should histor...

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Explore the hidden political journey of Confucius beyond his famous teachings. This video unveils how Confucius, in his 50s, transitioned from a respected scholar to a political strategist in Lu, aligning with the powerful Three Huan families. Discover how he navigated Lu’s volatile political landscape, attempted to weaken the aristocratic influence, and forged alliances with neighboring states like Qi to protect Lu’s sovereignty.W...

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⚔️ How did Guan Yu, a general from the Three Kingdoms era, become one of the most revered gods in Chinese history?This video uncovers the fascinating transformation of Guan Yu from a tragic historical figure to a widely worshiped deity across East Asia. We’ll explore:✅ The origins of Guan Yu’s divine status—how his strength, loyalty, and tragic death shaped his deification.✅ Why he was initially seen as a plague god and how he late...

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Step into the chaos following the fall of the Qin Dynasty as Liu Bang’s entry into Xianyang sets the stage for one of the greatest power struggles in Chinese history—the Chu-Han rivalry.

In this video, we dive deep into:
✅ How Liu Bang entered Xianyang without bloodshed and won over the people.
✅ The significance of the ‘Three Rules’ (约法三章) and its impact on public perception.
✅ Xiang Yu’s brutal response—executing surrende...

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