In 1912, Yuan Shikai seemed sure to go down in history as China's beloved George Washington. Admired and respected by both reformers and conservatives, he became China's  first true president by both unanimous election, and Imperial decree.

Within a few short years though, he would become China's greatest villain. Join us for a two part episode where we discuss the rise and fall of the man who transitioned China from an Empire to a Republic, and attempted to keep it together in the process.

In this episode, we discuss his rise. How a man who never passed a civil service examination could rise so high and so quickly within the rigid world of Imperial China. How his bravery, cunning, and administrative skill made him famous and respected, not just within China, but worldwide.