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Tsinghua University

Chinese History From Warring States to the Tang Dynasty

Tsinghua University via XuetangX

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Overview

Zizhi Tongjian _is one of the earliest Chinese historiographies spanning nearly 300 volumes and covering 1,300 years of history. Literally meaning “Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance,” _Zizhi Tongjian is an annalistic-style history featuring the subjects of politics and the military as the main thread of narration. The collection has been cherished by scholars over numerous dynasties for its historical value and insight into governance, peace and stability.

This guided reading course will help learners deepen their understanding of Chinese history, in addition to applying _Zizhi Tongjian’s _ancient wisdom to modern-day governance. Because _Zizhi TongJian _is a rich, expansive text, this course is intended to remove colloquial barriers and help students gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history from Emperor Qin to Caocao and Emperor Taizong.

 


Syllabus

  • Introduction and Three Houses Splitting Jin
    • Introduction
    • The Fall of Zhi Bo
    • Reflection on Zhi Bo’s Tragic End
  • Politics in the Early Warring States Period
    • Marquess Wen of Wei Governing the State
    • Tragedy of Wu Qi
    • Discussion on Marquess Wen of Wei Governing the State
    • Discussion on Tragedy of Wu Qi
  • Shang Yang’s Reform
    • Background
    • Process
    • Death of Shang Yang
    • Appraisal and Comparison
    • Discussion of Shang Yang’s Reform
  • Diplomacy of Qin
    • Taking Ba and Shu in the South
    • Befriending Remote States and Attacking Nearby Ones
    • Order to Expel Guest Officials
    • Neutralizing Enemy Talent
    • Diplomacy of Qin Discussion
  • First Emperor in China
    • A Rare Commodity I
    • A Rare Commodity II
    • Mao Jiao’s Admonition
    • First Emperor’s Merits and Demerits
    • Discussion: On Lü Buwei
    • Discussion: On Li Si
    • Discussion: On Ying Zheng
  • Clash between Chu and Han I
    • Liu Bang’s Uprising
    • The First to Enter Guanzhong
    • Hongmen Banque
    • Discussion
  • Clash between Chu and Han 2
    • King of Han Appointing His Commander-in-Chief
    • Chen Ping Presenting Stratagems
    • Han Xin the Military Commander
    • Encirclement of Xiang Yu at Gaixia
  • The Founder Emperor of Han’s Legacies
    • Inheriting the Qin Systems
    • When All Hares Are Dead, the Hound Will Be Stewed
    • When All Birds Are gone, the Good Bow Will Be Put Away
    • The Lüs’ Riot
    • The Prosperous Reigns of the Wendi and Jingdi Emperors
    • Discussion
  • The Great Wudi Emperor of Han
    • The Girl in the Golden House
    • The Tradition of the Han Court
    • The Wudi Emperor’s Merits and Demerits
    • The Disaster of Witchcraft
    • Discussion
  • Zhao-Xuan Restoration
    • Huo Guang the Regent
    • Xuandi Emperor to the Throne
    • The Death of Huo Guang
    • The Destruction of the Huo Clan
    • Discussion
  • Rise and Fall of Wang Mang
    • Starting as a Scholar
    • Winning Popular Support
    • Founding the Xin Dynasty
    • Wang Mang’s Fall
    • Discussion
  • Resurgence of Guangwu
    • An Ambitious Young Man
    • Response on the Couch
    • Contending for the Throne
    • Governing the State
    • Guangwu Emperor’s Ways
    • Discussions
  • Fate of Cao Wei
    • Cao Pi as the Emperor
    • Much Lower in League
    • Malady of Cao Wei
    • Mingdi Emperor Entrusting His Successor
    • The Simas Usurping the Power
    • Discussion
  • Eventful Western Jin Dynasty
    • Jin Reunited China
    • Unsmooth Succession
    • Rebellion of the Eight Princes
    • Discussion
  • Empires of Sui and Tang
    • Political Landscape of Northern Dynasties
    • Yang Jian Replaced Zhou with Sui
    • Dismissing Gao Jiong
    • Yang Guang Replaced Yang Yong as Crown Prince
    • Li Yuan and Li Mi
    • Tang Reunited China
    • Discussion

Taught by

Guogang Zhang

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