Lu Buwei and the Rise of Qin

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, and how marriage was not just about love, but about power and survival. From poetic verses in The Book of Songs to political intrigues in Zuo Zhuan, we’ll explore how marriages shaped the fates of entire families and states.💍 How did ancient Chinese aristocrats view marriage and divorce? 👑 What role did these relationships play in the balance of power? 💔 Why were divorces not just personal choices, but political maneuvers?In this episode, we’ll take you beyond the romanticized versions of ancient love to reveal the truth about how marriage and divorce worked for those at the top of the social ladder—and how these practices still affect us today.https://youtu.be/0w6kZj3abj4

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 option)🥩 Food: From street food to luxury meals, what did workers eat?🚽 Toilets: How ancient toilets showed the divide between the rich and the working class💰 Money: How ancient Chinese currency affected everyday lifehttps://youtu.be/tBHd4mPVwCc

00:00 Ancient Outfits: Social Status & Hygiene08:00 Menstrual Cloths: Medicine & Magic16:01 Pork's Shifting Status: Pre-Qin to Song24:01 Pork's Rise & Fall: Song to Qing Dynasty32:02 Ancient Thrones: Han Shuan & Tiger Urnals40:03 Ancient Toilets: Rituals & Beliefs48:04 Warring States Coins: From Knives to Cash56:05 Warring States Coins: GECO & Chaos

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 promotion.📌 Topics covered:- How the imperial exams worked in Tang & Song &Ming&Qing dynasties- Why poetry, Confucianism, and “knowing the system” mattered- The ranking system for government officials- The hidden rules of getting ahead in ancient bureaucracySupport China's Living Legends https://patreon.com/ChinaLegendshttps://buymeacoffee.com/sldinghttps://youtu.be/98lMYTYRAl0

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 historians tell the truth even if it costs lives? Comment below.📍 Chapters:00:00 - Introduction: What Is a Court Historian?00:48 - How Court Historians Shaped Truth and Power01:37 - Moral Dilemmas: Truth vs Loyalty02:34 - Why Court Historians Still Matter Today16:29 - Conclusion & ReflectionsChinese Office Life Civil Service Exam：https://youtu.be/n2xAv4fP-L8Officials and Their Ties: https://youtu.be/vL3jDENPBAsMourning leave：https://youtu.be/F3euubfASa8

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.We’ll analyze Confucius’s tactical decisions, his uneasy relationship with former rebel Yang Hu, and why his ambitious reforms ultimately fell short. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, philosophy student, or curious about power struggles in ancient China, this video provides a deeper look at Confucius’s complex political life.00:00 Confucius's 50th: Power Plays & Rebellion06:43 Confucius's Power Play: 3 Huan Alliance13:25 Confucius's Lu Alliance: Diplomacy & Intrigue20:07 Confucius's Bold Gamblehttps://youtu.be/azCEHGicMok

⚔️ 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 later became a symbol of victory in the military.✅ The political and social factors during the Ming Dynasty that solidified Guan Yu’s role in state rituals.✅ How regional culture and commerce in Shanxi helped promote Guan Yu as a god of wealth.✅ The portrayal of Guan Yu in Romance of the Three Kingdoms and how fiction contributed to his divine status.00:00 Guan Yu's Deification: From General to God05:43 Guan Yu's Rise: From Soldier to God11:25 Guan Yu's Literacy & Shifting Image📚 Join us as we uncover the layers of mythology, politics, and culture that elevated Guan Yu to a god revered by soldiers, merchants, and emperors alike.https://youtu.be/prDbMUz979E

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 surrendered Qin soldiers and asserting dominance.
✅ The growing tension between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu that led to an inevitable clash.

Discover the hidden strategies, political maneuvering, and power dynamics that shaped the rise of the Han Dynasty. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more fascinating insights into Chinese history!https://youtu.be/giPmrvc2ExU

Explore the hidden complexities behind the ancient Chinese system of Ding You—the mandatory 3-year mourning leave for officials after a parent’s death. While Confucius advocated for this practice as a reflection of filial piety, its implementation evolved over centuries, revealing a deeper layer of political maneuvering and power struggles.https://youtu.be/F3euubfASa8

Dive into one of the most intriguing historical mysteries surrounding Confucius: his potential hidden brotherhood with Yang Hu.

https://youtu.be/o5ljrQZ2RzI