🎧 Episode 1: Game of Thrones, Chinese Style | The Cycles of Power
Runtime: ~10 minutes
What if the key to understanding China’s long game—its moves in trade, diplomacy, and power—was hidden in a 14th-century epic?
In this premiere of Mandarin Unpeeled, we slice into one of China’s most enduring ideas:
“What is long divided must unite. What is long united must divide.”
It’s not just poetry—it’s a worldview that still guides decision-making at the highest levels.
From Romance of the Three Kingdoms (China’s very own Game of Thrones) to today’s geopolitical chessboard, let's trace how this cyclical philosophy shapes everything from economic “decoupling” to global strategy.
📌 You’ll discover:
0:00 — The quote that explains 1,000+ years of Chinese political rhythm
1:30 — Why Three Kingdoms is more playbook than period piece
4:00 — How “shi” (势) reframes tension as timing
6:30 — East vs. West: When linear progress meets circular wisdom
And more...
🧠If you're curious about the deeper logic behind China’s strategic moves, grab your metaphorical orange—let’s get unpeeling together.
đź“š Resources Mentioned:
– Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong
– The Art of War by Sun Tzu
🎙️ Mandarin Unpeeled
Zesty explainers on China, one bite-sized episode at a time.
đź”— Show Notes & More: www.mandarin-unpeeled.com
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🎵 Music Credits
Smooth Ambient Synths by YellowTree – Freesound – License: Attribution 4.0
Musicbox by grapelemon – Freesound – License: Creative Commons 0
Steel Guitar Harmony Trip Hop Drum Loop 94 bpm by CrashBulb – Freesound – License: Creative Commons 0
Ambient battle noise: swords and shouting by pfranzen – Freesound – License: Attribution 4.0