Podcasts about Jiang

  Last time we spoke about the Xi'an Incident. In December 1936, tensions in China erupted as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek faced a revolt led by his commanders, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. Disillusioned by Chiang's focus on battling communists instead of the Japanese invaders, the generals swiftly captured him in a coup. Confined in Xi'an, Chiang initially resisted their demands for a united front against Japan but eventually engaged in negotiation with Zhang and the Chinese Communist Party. As public sentiment shifted against him, Chiang's predicament led to urgent discussions, culminating in an unexpected alliance with the communists. This pact aimed to consolidate Chinese resistance against Japanese aggression, marking a critical turning point in the Second Sino-Japanese War. By December 26, Chiang was released, and this uneasy collaboration set the stage for a more unified front against a common enemy, though underlying tensions remained between the factions.   #152 China Prepares for War Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Before we jump into the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945, which I honestly have no idea how long will take us, I thought it would be a good idea to dedicate two episodes to how both China and Japan prepared themselves for war.  Going all the way back to the 1910s, Chinese intellectuals began to view an outright conflict between Japan and China was inevitable. In the discussions about China's strategic options, Jiang Fangzhen pioneered a strategy of protracted warfare, a concept that would later shape China's approach during the Sino-Japanese War. Having studied in Japan during his youth, Jiang developed a keen understanding of the Japanese government and military. As early as 1917, he predicted that China and Japan would become embroiled in a long-term conflict, with the battleground likely to be west of the Peiping–Wuhan and Guangzhou–Wuhan railways. In his work titled "Guofang Lun" or “On National Defense”, Jiang reiterated the importance of protracted warfare as a means to thwart Japan's aspirations for a swift victory. He argued that China should leverage its vast population and extensive territory to extend the conflict, gradually wearing down Japanese strength and turning the situation to its advantage. Jiang recommended that China not focus on defending its coastal regions but instead confront the enemy west of the Peking–Wuhan Railway.   Chiang Kai-shek would eventually come to share Jiang's belief that “the longer the war drags on, the more advantageous it will be for China.” Despite significant public criticism, both the Nationalist government and General Zhang Xueliang, decided against military resistance when Japan invaded Manchuria in September 1931 and attacked Shanghai in 1932. Chiang was particularly hesitant to engage Japan directly, as he was also dealing with a Communist insurgency in central China. He feared that Chinese forces would suffer quick defeat, predicting that Japan would capture key coastal areas and critical infrastructure within just three days, crippling China by dismantling its military and economic lifelines. Following the invasion of North China Chiang was forced to adopt a firmer stance. The Nationalist government proposed a dual strategy of pursuing peace and security while simultaneously preparing for war. If peace proved impossible, China would mobilize its resources for ultimate victory through prolonged conflict. This approach was formalized in the National Defense Plan, which China adopted by prioritizing protracted warfare as its core strategy. After the Sino-Japanese clash in Shanghai on January 28, 1932, the Military Affairs Commission devised a plan that divided China into four defense areas along with a preparation area. While some troops were assigned local security, commanders were directed to concentrate their remaining forces for potential confrontations with Japan. That year, the Military Affairs Commission issued General Defense Guidelines that outlined two strategic responses to a potential Japanese invasion. The first, conservative approach focused on maintaining key positions and utilizing protracted warfare to impede the enemy. The second strategy advocated for decisive battles in key regions to thwart Japan's ambitions and protect China's territorial integrity, prioritizing disengagement from Japanese forces along the Yangtze River and coastline. In August 1935, German military adviser General Alexander von Falkenhausen provided recommendations to Chiang Kai-shek based on his predictions of Japanese advance routes into China. He identified three main routes: one from northern Hebei to Zhengzhou, the second from Shandong toward Xuzhou, and the third crossing the Yangtze River to Nanjing and onwards to Wuhan. He suggested treating the Yangtze River as the primary combat zone and highlighted Sichuan as a possible retreat area. Taking all of this into consideration. in 1936, a draft of a new National Defense Plan divided the country into four zones: a war zone, a defense zone, an internal security zone, and a preparation area. The war zone encompassed ten provinces and established strategies for retreating to predetermined defensive positions when necessary, with Sichuan designated as the main base for the war. In January 1937, the Chinese General Staff Department introduced its annual War Plan, outlining three possible military conflict regions between China and Japan. It proposed two main strategies: Proposal A emphasized sustained combat and retreat to fortified positions if the situation became unfavorable, aiming to eventually go on the offensive against Japan. Proposal B focused on repelling Japanese invasions along the coast and from the north, prioritizing counter offensives against Japanese units stationed near key locations. To prepare, the NRA completed several critical projects outlined in its plans, establishing military supply depots in Nanjing, Bengbu, Xinyang, Huayin, Nanchang, and Wuchang to manage logistics for supplies across various strategic railways. These depots were equipped to sustain the military, with ample ammunition and provisions, including 60 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and food for hundreds of thousands. Despite these preparations, not all projects were completed by the time war broke out in July 1937. In contrast to the Japanese military's tactics, Chinese forces prioritized defensive strategies. For example, at the Mount Lushan Military Officer Training Camp in July 1934, Chiang Kai-shek outlined four possible approaches against Japan, favoring a defense-as-offense strategy. Other options included building fortifications, tenaciously defending key positions, and employing guerrilla warfare through irregular forces to constrain enemy advances. Chiang stressed the importance of national mobilization for the war effort.  There was a significant disparity in equipment between the Japanese and Chinese armies. To give you an idea, each Japanese division included a mechanized group featuring thirty-nine light military vehicles and 21 light armored cars, supplemented by 6,000–7,000 horses, 200–300 automobiles, and specialized troops such as poison gas teams. In contrast, Nationalist divisions lacked any of these capabilities, a typical nationalist division theoretically had an armored regiment, but this unit was equipped with fewer than 72 armored vehicles. Another major weakness of the Nationalist forces was their insufficient artillery. In 1936, a division was officially assigned one artillery battalion, which was divided into three batteries totaling twelve guns. It also included a mechanized cannon company with four direct-fire weapons. By comparison, a Japanese division boasted four infantry regiments and one mountain artillery or field artillery regiment, with each artillery regiment comprising three field artillery battalions and one howitzer battalion. The infantry regiment itself included a mountain artillery section with four mountain guns, while the infantry battalion had one Type 70 mountain gun section with two guns. In total, a Japanese division possessed sixty-four artillery pieces of various calibers, four times the number of a Chinese division and of significantly higher quality. In reality, in 1936, twelve of the twenty elite Chinese “reformed divisions” still lacked artillery battalions. The ordnance available in the “reformed divisions” mostly consisted of the outdated Type 60 mountain gun. Nationwide, very few of the 200 divisions were equipped with any artillery, and those that did often used obsolete field artillery pieces or mountain artillery provided to local forces. Some units even relied on trench mortars as a makeshift solution. The artillery weapons came from various countries, but they frequently lacked necessary observation and signal components, and were often low on ammunition. The majority of mountain guns and field artillery were of the Type 75, which, while capable of providing fire support, had limited range and inflicted minimal damage. To give you an idea of the striking inadequacy of the Chinese artillery, during the Shanghai fighting in 1937, the mountain artillery of the Guangxi 21st Army Group could only reach targets within 1,200 yards, while Japanese field artillery had an effective range of 8,000 yards. Chinese-made mountain artillery suffered due to inferior steel-making technology; the gun shields were constructed from low-quality steel, and the barrels often overheated after firing just a few rounds, increasing the risk of explosions. Additionally, the equipment of local forces varied greatly in quality. In fact, some local units had superior equipment compared to Nationalist units. For example, before the Sino-Japanese War, troops from Yunnan were equipped with French antitank guns and heavy machine guns, which were better than the German water-cooled machine guns used by the Nationalist forces. However, the majority of local troops relied on inferior equipment; the 122nd Division under Wang Mingzhang from Sichuan, noted for its brave defense of Tengxian County during the Xuzhou Battle, was armed with locally produced light and heavy machine guns that frequently malfunctioned, and their Type 79 rifles, also made in Sichuan, were often outdated, with some dating back to the Qing Dynasty. These weapons had limited range and sometimes malfunctioned after fewer than one hundred rounds. Now before the war, both Nationalist and local forces acquired weaponry from diverse foreign and domestic sources. Even domestically produced weapons lacked standardization, with those made in Hanyang and Manchuria differing in design and specifications. Arms manufactured in Germany, France, Russia, Japan, and Italy were similarly inconsistent. Consequently, even within a single unit, the lack of uniformity created significant logistical challenges, undermining combat effectiveness, particularly in the early stages of the war. Despite Nationalist ordnance factories producing over three million rounds of small-arms ammunition daily, the incompatibility of ammunition and weapons diminished the usable quantity of ammunition. Chinese communications infrastructure was inadequate. In the Nationalist army, signal units were integrated into engineering units, leading to low-quality radio communications. In emergencies, telegrams could remain undelivered for days, and orders often had to be dispatched via postal services. By 1937, the entire country boasted only 3,000 military vehicles, necessitating heavy reliance on horses and mules for transport. To effectively equip twenty Nationalist divisions, 10,647 horses and 20,688 mules were needed, but by the end of 1935, only 6,206 horses and 4,351 mules were available. A statistic from 1936 indicated a 5 percent mortality rate among military horses, with some units experiencing a rate as high as 10 percent. The distribution of weaponry led to disputes during army reorganization efforts following the Northern Expedition. Although Chiang Kai-shek's forces were part of the regular army, the quality of their equipment varied significantly. Domestic production of weapons was limited, and imports could not close the gap. Priority was given to small arms; through army reorganization, Chiang aimed to diminish the influence of forces less loyal to him. Nationalist army staff officers observed that troops loyal to Chiang received the best weapons. Northwest and Northeast forces, having cultivated good relations with the KMT, were similarly better equipped, while Shanxi troops received inferior supplies. Troops associated with the Guangxi Clique were given even poorer quality weapons due to their leaders' stronger political ambitions. Troops regarded as “bandit forces,” such as those led by Shi Yousan, Li Hongchang, and Sun Dianying, were naturally assigned the least effective weaponry. This unequal distribution of arms increased some local forces' inclination to align with the KMT while alienating others, which inadvertently led to additional turmoil in the aftermath of the Northern Expedition. Logistical accounting within the Nationalist military was severely lacking. Military expenditures accounted for a significant portion of government spending, roughly 65.48 % in 1937, with personnel costs being the largest component. However, military units prioritized boosting their own resources over accurate accounting. Surpluses were not returned but rather utilized to reward military officers and soldiers for merits in battle, care for the wounded, or to create a reserve. Conversely, if deficits arose, troops would resort to “living off vacancies,” a practice in which they would fail to report desertions promptly and would falsely claim new soldiers had arrived. Military leaders typically appointed their most trusted subordinates to serve as accountants and logistic officers. As the war commenced, these issues became readily apparent. During the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, frontline soldiers sometimes went days without food and went months without pay. Wounded soldiers and civilians had to search tirelessly for medical treatment, and when main forces relocated, they often abandoned grain, ammunition, weapons, and petroleum along the way. General Chen Cheng, the commander in chief during the Battle of Shanghai, noted, “This phenomenon clearly revealed our inability to supply frontline troops, indicating that China remains a backward country with poor management.” Many logistical shortcomings severely impacted troop morale and combat effectiveness. In a 1933 speech, Chiang Kai-shek acknowledged that poor food, inadequate clothing, and ineffective logistics contributed to widespread desertion. Soldiers were further demoralized by reduced or embezzled salaries. A lack of professional medical staff and equipment hampered healthcare efforts, leading to high disease and mortality rates. According to official statistics from 1936, approximately 10 percent of soldiers fell ill annually, with a mortality rate as high as 5 percent. Japanese military authorities reported that one in three wounded Japanese soldiers died, while a Dutch military officer present during the early stages of the Sino-Japanese War observed that one in every two wounded Nationalist soldiers perished. Due to inadequate equipment and limited transport options, Nationalist forces were compelled to recruit farmers and rent vehicles, as they lacked essential facilities such as tents. This reliance on local resources inevitably led to frequent conflicts between military personnel and civilians. China is clearly a vast nation with an extensive coastline, requiring the construction of several significant fortresses during the modern era. These included Wusong, Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Jiangning, and Wuhan along the Yangtze River, as well as Zhenhai, Humen, and Changzhou along the seacoast. Except for the Wuhan fortress, built in 1929-1930, all other fortifications were established during the late Qing Dynasty and featured uncovered cannon batteries. These fortresses suffered from inadequate maintenance, and many of their components had become outdated and irreplaceable, rendering them militarily negligible. Following the January 1932 Shanghai Incident, the Japanese military destroyed the Wusong forts, leaving the entrance to the Yangtze River completely unfortified. Consequently, there were no defenses along the coastline from Jiangsu to Shandong, allowing the Japanese to land freely. In December 1932, the Military Affairs Commission established a fortress group tasked with constructing fortresses and defensive installations, seeking assistance from German military advisers. After the North China Incident in 1935, the Nationalist government accelerated the construction of defensive structures in line with national war planning, focusing particularly on Nanjing. The Nationalists prioritized building fortifications along the seacoast and the Yellow River, followed by key regions north of the Yellow River. The government also ordered a significant quantity of heavy artillery from Germany. This included several dozen pieces of flat-fire antiaircraft and dual-purpose heavy artillery, which were installed at fortifications in Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, and Wuhan. By the summer of 1937, the construction of nine fortified positions was complete: Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Jiangyin, Ningbo, Humen, Mawei, Xiamen , Nantong, and Lianyungang. In total, China had established 41 forts and equipped them with 273 fortress cannons. Some defensive installations were poorly managed, with many units assigned to their perimeters lacking training and access to proper maps. The barbette positions in the fortresses were not well concealed and could hardly store sufficient ammunition. Troops stationed at these fortresses received little training. Despite these shortcomings, the fortresses and fortifications were not entirely ineffective. They bolstered Chinese positions along the defense line stretching from Cangxian County to Baoding and from Dexian County to Shijiazhuang, as well as in southern Shandong.  Before the war, China's political and economic center was situated along the seacoast and the Yangtze River. As Japanese influence expanded, the Nationalist government was compelled to establish bases in China's inner regions, very similar to how the USSR pulled back its industry further west after Operation barbarossa.The Japanese attack on Shanghai in 1932 prompted the Nationalists to relocate their capital to Luoyang. On March 5, during the Second Plenary Session of the KMT's Fourth Congress, the Western Capital Preparation Committee was formed to plan for the potential relocation of all governmental bodies to Xi'an in the event of full-scale war. In February 1933, the Central Political Conference approved the Northwest Development Bill, and in February 1934, the National Economic Commission set up a northwestern branch to oversee development projects in the region. On October 18, 1934, Chiang Kai-shek traveled to Lanzhou, recording in his diary that “Northwest China has abundant resources. Japan and Russia are poised to bully us. Yet, if we strengthen ourselves and develop northwest China to the fullest extent, we can turn it into a base for China's revival.” Interestingly, it was Sichuan, rather than the northwest, that became China's rear base during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War. In October 1934, the Communist army evacuated its Soviet base in southern China, initiating the Long March that would ultimately end in the northwest. By this time, Chiang Kai-shek had decided to designate Sichuan as the last stronghold for China. In January 1935, the Nanchang Field Headquarters of the Military Affairs Commission, responsible for combatting the Communists and serving as the supreme military and political authority over most provinces along the Yangtze River and central China, dispatched a special advisory group to Chongqing. Following this, the Nationalist army advanced into Sichuan. On February 10, the Nationalists appointed a new provincial government in Sichuan, effectively ending the province's long-standing regionalism. On March 2, Chiang traveled to Chongqing, where he delivered a speech underscoring that “Sichuan should serve as the base for China's revival.” He stated that he was in Sichuan to oversee efforts against the Communist army and to unify the provincial administration.  After the Xinhai revolution, the Republic of China was still suing the Qing Dynasty's conscription system. However, once in power, the Nationalist government sought to establish a national military service program. In 1933, it enacted a military service law, which began implementation in 1936. This law categorized military service into two branches: service in the Nationalist army and in territorial citizen army units. Men aged eighteen to forty-five were expected to serve in the territorial units if they did not enlist in the Nationalist army. The territorial service was structured into three phases: active service lasting two to three years, first reserves for six years, and second reserves until the age of forty-five. The Ministry of Military Affairs divided China into sixty divisional conscription headquarters, initially establishing these headquarters in the six provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, and Hubei. By December 1936, approximately 50,000 new soldiers had been drafted. The military service law disproportionately favored the middle and upper classes. Government personnel were exempt from enlistment, allowing privileged families to register their children with government agencies. Similarly, students in middle and higher education were excused from service, while youth from poorer backgrounds often felt compelled to enlist due to financial constraints that limited their educational opportunities. Village and town leaders were responsible for executing the recruitment process and frequently conspired with army recruiters. Recruitment principles often favored wealthier families, with guidelines stating that one son should be drafted for every three sons, two for five sons, but no drafts if there was only one son. Wealthy families could secure exemptions for all their male children, while poor families might see their only son conscripted if they were unable to provide the requisite bribe. Town and village heads wielded significant power in recruitment. This new recruitment system also created numerous money-making opportunities. Military personnel assigned to escort draftees to their units would often allow draftees to escape for a fee. Additionally, draftees could monetize their service by agreeing to serve as substitutes for others. For some, being drafted became an occupation. For example, in 1936, 600 individuals were drafted in the Wuhu area of Anhui province, and accounts from regional administrators indicated that every draftee had either been traded, replaced, or seized. Beginning in 1929, the Nationalist government also instituted military training for high school students and older individuals. Students were required to participate in one theoretical class and one practical class each week, totaling three hours. Starting in 1934, students had to complete a three-month military training program before graduating. Graduates of military academies were employed as military instructors. By the end of 1936, over 237,000 high school students had undergone military training. This student military training was overseen by the Society for the Implementation of the Three People's Principles of Sun Yat-sen, which also provided political education and sometimes gathered information on students' political beliefs.  Although the Nationalists made significant efforts to improve the military training of both officers and troops, they inherited deep-seated challenges that they were unable to completely overcome. A lack of facilities, outdated training manuals, low regard for military instructors, and the ongoing influence of regionalism and warlordism hindered progress. The Japanese would also later exploit these shortcomings of the Nationalist army. The Central Military Academy, which evolved from the Whampoa Military Academy established in 1923 in Guangzhou to train officers for the Northern Expedition, became the primary training institution for junior military officers. The academy offered a basic course, lasting eighteen months, which included general education, specialized training in various subjects, and field practice. This was followed by a two-year cadet training program focused on developing the skills necessary for junior military officers. Seventeen classes were admitted before the outbreak of war. Admission to the academy was highly competitive, with military officers receiving attractive salaries. For instance, in 1935, the academy received 10,000 applications for the twelfth class, but only 7% were accepted. Upon graduation, cadets were typically assigned to divisions within the Nationalist army loyal to Chiang Kai-shek. Their training, influenced by German advisors, resulted in a high-quality cadre. In modern China, most sergeants were veterans. While some units provided training for sergeants, a lack of formal education led to their diminished status. Truly qualified sergeants were rare. During his tenure as Minister of Military Training, General Bai Chongxi proposed establishing a sergeant school and creating a professional noncommissioned officer system; however, the Ministry of Military Affairs opposed this on financial grounds. While commanding officers enjoyed rapid promotions, military instructors did not. Furthermore, there was no system for transferring instructors to field commands or assigning commanders to military academies for extended periods. Despite minor updates to cover modern warfare concepts such as tank warfare and machine guns, Qing Dynasty military manuals were still in use at the Central Military Academy at the start of the war. Yeah, 1937 they were still rocking the old Qing books. Following the establishment of the Ministry of Military Training, a bureau for military translation was set up to evaluate existing course materials and translate military manuals, but its contributions were limited. Another significant shortcoming of military instruction focused on theory at the expense of practical application.  To enhance the quality of military officers, the Nationalist army instituted specialized schools for artillery, infantry, transport, engineering, and signals starting in 1931. These institutions were considered to have high-quality administrators and facilities. The Nationalists adopted German military training models, replacing the previously used Japanese models. They appointed German advisors to oversee instructor training at military academies and established three instructional divisions. By the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, 15,000 students had graduated from programs with a German military influence, resulting in the creation of about fifty combat divisions from these instructional units. However, the progress of other Nationalist army units was limited because their training was not aligned with contemporary battlefield realities. Before World War I, troops operated in close formations due to limited firepower. The widespread introduction of machine guns after World War I necessitated a shift to dispersed formations. Although a new drill manual issued by the Ministry of Military Training in 1935 introduced small-group tactics, few units adopted these methods. General Chen Cheng highlighted another underlying issue in 1938, commenting on the outmoded focus on parade ground drills and formal military manners. He noted, “We have paid too much attention to stereotypical formality and procedures of no practical use. Sometimes, even though soldiers could not get a haircut or take a bath for several months, their camps had to be in order. They underwent intensive training in close-order drill but learned little about gun handling, marksmanship, or maneuvering. This was inappropriate in peacetime, yet we continued this practice even after the Sino-Japanese War started, even using it on highly educated youth.” In contrast, the Communist army simplified training, emphasizing two essential skills: live-fire exercises and physical endurance, which significantly enhanced troop effectiveness in the challenging terrain characteristic of the Sino-Japanese War. Ultimately, the Nationalist army's training did not reach all soldiers. Only about half of all combat soldiers received adequate training, while the rest were neglected. According to statistics from the time, there were approximately five million military personnel during the Sino-Japanese War, with three million serving in logistics. Most of these logistics personnel had received little training, leading to disastrous consequences for overall combat effectiveness. As warfare has become more complex, the role of highly trained staff officers has become increasingly important. Napoleon developed operational plans close to the front and communicated orders via courier. During World War I, military commanders collected information at their headquarters and utilized telephones and automobiles to relay orders to the front lines. In World War II, with the battlefield expanding to include land, sea, and air, senior commanders often made decisions from headquarters far from the action, relying on a significant number of staff officers with specialized skills to keep them informed. In China, however, the staff officer system was underdeveloped. By 1937, only about 2,000 commanders and staff officers had received training. Prior to the Sino-Japanese War, most commanders managed staff work themselves, with staff officers serving primarily as military secretaries who drafted orders, reports, and maps. Many staff officers had no formal military training, and as a whole, the branch lacked respect, causing the most talented officers to avoid serving in it. The situation was even more dire for staff officer departments within local forces. For example, in March 1937, Liu Ziqing, a graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy, was appointed as the director of political instruction in the Forty-fourth Army, a unit under Sichuan warlord Liu Xiang. Liu Ziqing's account illustrates the dysfunction within the ranks: “The commander in chief was not supposed to manage the army and even did not know its whereabouts... But he could appoint relatives and former subordinates—who were officials and businessmen as well—to the army. Each month they would receive a small stipend. At headquarters, there was a long table and two rows of chairs. Around ten o'clock in the morning, senior officers signed in to indicate their presence. Those with other business would leave, while the remaining officers sat down to leisurely discuss star actresses, fortune-telling, business projects, mah-jongg, and opium. Occasionally they would touch on national affairs, chat about news articles, or share local gossip. In the afternoons, they primarily played mah-jongg, held banquets, and visited madams. Most mornings, the commander usually presided over these activities, and at first, I reported for duty as well. But I soon realized it was a waste of time and came very rarely. At headquarters, most staff members wore long gowns or Western-style suits, while military uniforms were a rare sight.” Most senior military personnel were trained at the Baoding Military Academy during the early republic. 2/3rds of commanders in chief, 37 %of army commanders, and 20 % of division commanders were Baoding graduates. Higher-ranking officers were more likely to have launched their careers there. In contrast, only 10 % of division commanders and a few army commanders were graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy. Additionally, commanders trained in local military schools and those with combat experience accounted for 1/3rd of all commanders. While the prevalence of civil war provided opportunities for rapid promotion, it also hindered officers' ability to update their training or gain experience in different military branches. German advisors expressed their concerns to Chiang Kai-shek, emphasizing that officers should first serve in junior roles before taking command. During one battle in 1938, Chiang noted, “Our commanders in chief are equivalent only to our enemy's regiment commanders, and our army and division commanders are only as competent as our enemy's battalion and company commanders.” Despite not viewing high-ranking Japanese officers as great strategists, Nationalist officers respected them as highly competent, diligent, and professional commanders who rarely made critical errors. The infantry was the primary component of the Nationalist army, with middle and junior infantry officers constituting over 80 %of all army officers. A 1936 registry of military officers listed 1,105 colonels and 2,159 lieutenant colonels within the infantry, demonstrating a significant outnumbering of Baoding graduates at ranks below lieutenant colonel. However, the quality of middle and junior infantry officers declined during the Sino-Japanese War; by 1944, only 27.3 % of these officers were from formal military academies, while those promoted from the ranks increased to 28.1 %. In 1937, 80 % of officers in an ordinary infantry battalion were military academy graduates, but this percentage dropped to 20 % during the war. Its hard to tell how educated soldiers were before the war, but it is generally believed that most were illiterate. In 1929, sociologist Tao Menghe surveyed 946 soldiers from a Shanxi garrison brigade and found that only 13 percent could compose a letter independently, while the rest had either never learned to read or were unable to write. In contrast, in August 1938, General Feng Yuxiang found that 80 percent of a regiment in Hunan were literate. Regardless, during the Sino-Japanese War, the quality of recruits steadily declined. More than 90 percent of soldiers were illiterate, and few possessed any basic scientific knowledge, which hindered their ability to master their weapons. On the battlefield, they heavily relied on middle and junior officers for guidance.  In autumn 1933, General Hans von Seeckt, the architect of the post World War I German army, visited China at the personal invitation of Chiang Kai-shek. In his recommendations for military reform, he identified China's greatest problem as its excessively large forces drawn from diverse backgrounds. He stated, “At present, the most pressing goal is to... establish a small, well-equipped army with high morale and combat effectiveness to replace the numerous poorly armed and trained forces.” He suggested forming an army of sixty divisions and recommended the establishment of a training regiment for military officers to equip them with the skills needed for modern warfare. Chiang Kai-shek accepted von Seeckt's proposals, and on January 26, 1935, he convened a National Military Reorganization Conference in Nanjing. On March 1, the Army Reorganization Bureau was established in Wuchang, under the leadership of General Chen Cheng. In the same month, General Alexander von Falkenhausen took charge of the German Military Advisors Group. Before war broke out, around nineteen divisions, roughly 300,000 troops received training from German advisors and were equipped with German-style weapons. At the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, the forces stemming from the First Army of the National Revolutionary Army and the Whampoa cadets, who had fought in the Northern Expedition, held the highest reputation and were referred to as the “core central forces” by the Japanese. Other notable forces included the Guangxi Army, Northwestern Army, Northeastern Army, some Uyghur units, the Guangdong Army, and the Shanxi Army. In contrast, provincial forces such as the Yunnan Army and Sichuan Army were viewed less favorably. Nationalist forces were generally far inferior to those of the Japanese enemy. In 1937, General He Yingqin noted that Nationalist forces had failed to prevail in 1932 and 1933, even when outnumbering the Japanese by 4-1.  In November 1937, during a national defense conference, Chiang Kai-shek stated, "In recent years we have worked hard, prepared actively, and achieved national unification. By the time of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, we were in a better domestic situation and had improved military preparedness compared to before. Since 1935, our strength has doubled. It increased by more than two to three times since January 1932 or September 1931 [when Japan attacked Shanghai and Mukden]. If peace had been achievable, we should have delayed the war for two or three years. Given an additional three years, our defensive capabilities would have been drastically different... Now, if we merely compare the military strength of China and Japan, we are certainly inferior." However, such assessments were overly optimistic, as Chiang failed to recognize that Japan's military capabilities would not have stagnated. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek certainly was dealt a difficult hand of cards for the upcoming poker match he was to play. Yet the Chinese were resilient and they had to be for the absolute horror that would be inflicted upon them from 1937-1945. Until this point, their enemies had been far more lenient, the Empire of Japan would show no mercy.

This week on the Talk Without Rhythm Podcast I'm bringing this year's AniMayTion to a close with two animated films from China: 2019's Ne Zha and 2020's Jiang Ziya. [00:00] INTRO [01:49] The Good, the Bad, the Odd Promo [02:32] RANDOM CONVERSATION [17:47] Ne Zha (2019) [49:08] Jiang Ziya (2020) [01:13:48] FEEDBACK [01:17:35] ENDING MUSIC: Please Believe in a Dream by Charlie Zhou Shen Buy Ne Zha (2019)Buy Jiang Ziya (2020) Support TWoRP Contact Us talkwithoutrhythm@gmail.com

Jiang Zhaopeng, an 18-year-old medical student, faced a life-or-death test on Saturday—not in an exam hall, but in the backseat of a car, where he performed life-saving CPR on a classmate who went into cardiac arrest.上周六，山东烟台18岁的医学生姜昭鹏经历了一场生死考验——在赴考途中，他在网约车后座为突发心脏骤停的同学实施心肺复苏。Jiang and his classmate were heading to take the spring college entrance exam when the emergency unfolded unexpectedly. Both attend Shandong City Service Technician College in Yantai, a coastal city in Shandong province.当意外的紧急情况发生时，姜和他的同学正准备参加春季高考。他们两人都在山东省沿海城市烟台的山东城市服务职业学院就读。At about 8:10 am, the two boarded a ride-hailing car bound for the testing site. Just a minute later, Jiang's classmate collapsed onto his lap, showing signs of a heart attack, seizure and cardiac arrest.上午8时10分，两人搭乘网约车前往考点。车辆启动仅一分钟后，姜昭鹏突然发现邻座同学倒在自己腿上，出现心脏骤停征兆。"I thought he was just tired at first," Jiang said. But then the classmate began gasping and convulsing, violently kicking the front seat before suddenly going limp. He soon stopped breathing.“起初我以为他只是太累了，”姜昭鹏回忆道。但随后该同学开始剧烈喘息抽搐，双腿猛踹前座后突然瘫软，他很快停止了自主呼吸。Drawing on first aid skills learned in school, Jiang quickly sprang into action. He laid his classmate flat and began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, alternating with rescue breathing.凭借在校学习的急救技能，姜立即展开施救，他把同学平放后开始交替进行心脏复苏和人工呼吸。"Go to the hospital," Jiang told the driver, Wang Tao.姜绍鹏告诉司机王涛(Wang Tao)改道去医院。Wang alerted the local traffic police and sped to the hospital, running six red lights and arriving in just seven minutes—half the usual time.司机王涛立即联系当地交警部门，在确保安全的前提下连闯六个红灯，仅用7分钟便将患者送达医院（常规车程需15分钟）。Only after ensuring his classmate was under professional care did Jiang notify school officials about the emergency situation. He then rushed to the exam site, but arrived too late to take the 9 am Chinese language test.在确保同学已获得专业医疗救治后，姜昭鹏才向校方报告紧急情况。随后他匆忙赶往考场，但错过了上午9点的语文考试。Doctors later confirmed that Jiang's classmate would recover without brain damage.院方后续确认，被救同学将完全康复且无脑损伤。"The first four minutes of CPR in the car were absolutely vital," said Yang Haiyan, head of the emergency department at the East Hospital of Yantaishan Hospital.“车内实施的心肺复苏术前四分钟至关重要，”烟台山医院东院区急诊科主任杨海燕表示。"The patient received 29 minutes of resuscitation in the hospital and eight defibrillations before his heartbeat stabilized at 8:50 am," Yang said.杨海燕说：“患者在医院接受了29分钟的心肺复苏和八次除颤，直至上午8点50分心跳才恢复稳定。”Though he missed the exam, Jiang said he has no regrets about his decision.尽管错过考试，姜昭鹏表示对自己的决定无怨无悔。"Exams can be retaken, but a life cannot," he said."考试可以重考，但生命不能重来。"他说。The story quickly went viral after it was shared online, drawing widespread praise from netizens.该事件在网上传开后迅速引发热议，收获网友广泛赞誉。"Without Jiang and the driver Wang, our child wouldn't have survived the 40-minute cardiac arrest," the survivor's parents wrote in the comment section of the video.“如果没有姜同学和司机王师傅，我们的孩子不可能在心脏停跳40分钟后生还，”获救者父母在视频评论区写道。Four days after the incident, education authorities arranged a make-up exam with a backup test paper for Jiang.事发四天后，教育部门为姜昭鹏安排了备用试卷的补考。"I'm so grateful for this make-up exam," he said.“我非常感激这次补考机会，”他表示。The spring college entrance exam is a crucial opportunity for vocational school students like Jiang to pursue higher education.春季高考对姜昭鹏这样的职校学生而言是升学的关键通道。Both Jiang and Wang have received official commendations from Yantai's local authorities and were honored as model individuals for their actions. They have also been recommended as candidates for the "China Good Person List" for the second quarter of 2025.目前，姜昭鹏与司机王涛已获烟台市政府通报表彰，被授予“模范个人”称号，并获推荐参评2025年第二季度“中国好人榜”。CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)心肺复苏术; 心肺复苏seizure癫痫发作cardiac arrest心脏骤停first aid skills急救技能make-up exam补考

The origins of agriculture continue to be one of archaeology's great mysteries. Chinese archaeologist Jiang Leping may hold a crucial piece of the puzzle, thanks to his groundbreaking discoveries at an archaeological site in Zhejiang Province, east China. This prehistoric settlement, known as Shangshan, dates back 10,000 years and is recognized for being home to the earliest cultivated rice in the world.

My guests today are Tommy Jiang and Kevin Harrington.I met Tommy and Kevin while traveling in Patagonia last year.  It was one of those connections that permeate great international travel.  My husband and I were at the end of our month-long excursion and got to enjoy a 35+ hour ferry ride filled with hours of great conversation with them.  Learning about their passions and expertise, I told them about the podcast and invited them to come on!  And now… I get to share this conversation with you!Let me share a bit more about each of them and then we'll jump into our conversation about Psychosynthesis, healing, hypnosis, and more!Tommy is a carpenter and healer currently living in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Tommy's approach to growth and healing in his own life and with clients, combines his background in mindfulness meditation, training as a Psychosynthesis Life Coach through the Synthesis Center in Amherst, MA, and his training as a Professional Hypnotist with the International Certification Board of Coaches & Hypnotists (ICBCH). Tommy aims at a precise approach to coaching and healing work, utilizing what arises in each moment, and following it to integration, wholeness, and profound energy within oneself.Kevin received his PhD in Astrophysics at the International Max Planck Research School for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and the University of Bonn, Germany. He previously received a B.Sc in Astronomy and B.Sc in Psychological Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts (UMass), Amherst. Currently he works as a professional astronomer with a postdoctoral research fellowship position at the Atacama Large Millimeter Telescope in northern Chile. He is an internationally recognized Board Certified Coach, and has completed his training in psychosynthesis life coaching through The Synthesis Center since 2015.Tommy and Kevin, thank you for this fantastic conversation!  Thank you for your willingness to connect and engage in meaningful connection both in southern Patagonia and now.  Meeting people like you is one of my favorite things in life and I'm grateful to get to share these pieces of  your wisdom, passion, and beautiful work in the world!You'll find links below to connect with both Tommy and Kevin.Tommy Jiang's Website: www.callofself.comKevin Harrington's Website: https://www.kch-coaching.com/Synthesis Center website: https://www.synthesiscenter.org/Make Life Less Difficult~ Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

This episode, Caitlin is joined by Dr. Yunfei Jiang from Dalhousie's Faculty of Agriculture and MSc student Baillie Lynds to talk about Baillie's masters research. Baillie's project looks at the impact of using enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers on grain corn yield and quality, as well as environmental factors like greenhouse gas emissions. SHOW NOTES:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.perennia.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Host: Caitlin Congdon, Field Crops SpecialistFollow us on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nsperennia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nsperennia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@nsperennia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music: City of Sun by Mark JulyLogo Created by: Perennia Food and Agriculture CorporationEmail us at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@perennia.ca⁠⁠

Send us a text在这一期特别的柠檬水访谈中，主持人俞骅和Poy Zhong邀请到了Canada Life区域副总裁Lydia Jiang，分享她从留学生到金融高管的真实职场故事。没有背景、没有捷径，靠着坚持和积累，她一路打破偏见，走到了主流舞台。Lydia坦诚讲述了她如何在挑战中成长，如何在机会来临时勇敢接住，以及她在跨文化管理、家庭与事业平衡中的心得体会。如果你也曾怀疑自己是否“准备好”，如果你也在职场中摸索前行，这一期，将带给你满满的能量与勇气！欢迎大家收听。请您在Apple Podcasts, 小宇宙APP, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, Amazon Music等，搜寻”柠檬变成柠檬水“。Support the showThank you for listening to our podcasts. We also welcome you to join the "Turn Lemons Into Lemonade" LinkedIn page!

Recorded by Jacqueline Jiang for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. Published on April 17, 2025. www.poets.org

In this episode, Trevor speaks with Ai Jiang, the award-winning author of novellas I Am AI and Linghun about her new novella A Palace Near the Wind. They converse about alternative futures, about the importance of science fantasy as a genre in addressing human problems, about the novella's concerns about the conflict between ecological preservation and industrial progress, and a whole lot more.You can follow along with Ai Jiang's literary career by following her at aijiang.ca, and you can find A Palace Near the Wind available April 15, 2025 from Titan Books at your favorite book retailer and your local library. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/sley-house-publishing-presents-litbits. https://plus.acast.com/s/sley-house-publishing-presents-litbits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The future of recruiting isn't coming. It's already here. And if you're still relying on your legacy tech stack and spreadsheets, you're already behind. Enter Steven Jiang, CEO and Co-founder of HireEZ, who just dropped one of the most important AI launches in the recruiting space - EZ Agent, their agentic AI companion built to fundamentally reshape the recruiter's role. Forget everything you know about “copilots” and “gen AI assistants.” EZ Agent is not just another AI tool bolted onto your ATS. It's a fully-integrated, always-on agent that plans, reasons, executes, and evolves - empowering recruiters to get out of the weeds and back into real talent relationships. Steven joins Tim Sackett to break down: • Why agentic AI isn't just better - it's a whole new operating system for recruiting • How recruiters move from task managers to true talent strategists • What it means to create a white-glove candidate experience at scale • And how EZ Agent is solving the “black hole” problem by giving 100% of candidates a shot at the plate Steven's built more than a product - he's building a movement to re-humanize recruiting with AI doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. If you care about talent, inclusion, and the future of work - this is the conversation you need to hear. Connect with Us: Steven Jiang Follow Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenhireez/ Learn more about HireEZ: https://hireez.com/ Book a Demo: https://hireez.com/customer-success/ Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Need Help with Technical Recruiting: https://hrutech.com/ Read Tim's Blog: https://timsackett.com/

Sometimes, people will say of a book that "the setting is another character". But what does that really mean, and how can a writer craft it? Ai Jiang joins us to discuss creating worlds and settings that have their own personalities! From the physical geography to the architecture, from the scale of the location to its dynamism, writers can make a lot of choices to make their setting feel unlike any other. The setting can do a lot to set the mood and tone of a story. Is it bright and peppy, or dark and gloomy? What's the vibe? The overlap between setting and aesthetic can be quite high, communicating a lot to your reader about what they might expect from the story and characters. We also often talk about how characters are the products of their circumstances -- and that means they're also products of their surroundings! What about the physical space that they exist in, or have existed in during their life, has shaped them? [Transcript TK] Our Guest: Ai Jiang is a Chinese-Canadian writer, Ignyte, Bram Stoker, and Nebula Award winner, and Hugo, Astounding, Locus, Aurora, and BFSA Award finalist from Changle, Fujian currently residing in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can be found in F&SF, The Dark, The Masters Review, among others. She is the recipient of Odyssey Workshop's 2022 Fresh Voices Scholarship and the author of A Palace Near the Wind, Linghun and I AM AI. Find her on X (@AiJiang_), Insta (@ai.jian.g), and online (http://aijiang.ca). 

Is there a formula for doing and publishing research on digital phenomena? And if so, it is the same formula as the scripts for IS papers of the past, or has it changed? We discuss how our field has historically worked with reference theories from other disciplines and how we have moved beyond this one way of doing and publishing research to a variety of ways in which we can build theory about digital phenomena. We suggest that reference theories should not be viewed as immutable sacred cows but rather as a tentative basis of received wisdom, which we must problematize and adapt to move knowledge forward. Doing so requires us to find puzzles in the real world that point to things being different instead of new. Episode reading list Truex, D. P., Holmström, J., & Keil, M. (2006). Theorizing in Information Systems Research: A Reflexive Analysis of the Adaptation of Theory in Information Systems Research. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 7(12), 797-821. Grover, V., & Lyytinen, K. (2015). New State of Play in Information Systems Research: The Push to the Edges. MIS Quarterly, 39(2), 271-296. Ba, S., & Pavlou, P. A. (2002). Evidence of the Effect of Trust Building Technology in Electronic Markets: Price Premiums and Buyer Behavior. MIS Quarterly, 26(3), 243-268. Jiang, L., Hou, J., Ma, X., & Pavlou, P. A. (2025). Punished for Success? A Natural Experiment of Displaying Clinical Hospital Quality on Review Platforms. Information Systems Research, . Grover, V., & Lyytinen, K. (2023). The Pursuit of Innovative Theory in the Digital Age. Journal of Information Technology, 38(1), 45-59. Baiyere, A., Berente, N., & Avital, M. (2023). On Digital Theorizing, Clickbait Research, and the Cumulative Tradition. Journal of Information Technology, 38(1), 67-73. Grisold, T., Kremser, W., Mendling, J., Recker, J., vom Brocke, J., & Wurm, B. (2023). Keeping Pace with the Digital Age: Envisioning Information Systems Research as a Platform. Journal of Information Technology, 38(1), 60-66. Berente, N., Gu, B., Recker, J., & Santhanam, R. (2021). Managing Artificial Intelligence. MIS Quarterly, 45(3), 1433-1450. Dell'Acqua, F., McFowland, E., Mollick, E. R., Lifshitz-Assaf, H., Kellogg, K., Rajendran, S., Krayer, L., Candelon, F., & Lakhani, K. R. (2023). Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier: Field Experimental Evidence of the Effects of AI on Knowledge Worker Productivity and Quality. Harvard Business School Technology & Operations Mgt. Unit Working Paper 24-013. Fisher, G., Mayer, K. J., & Morris, S. (2021). From the Editors—Phenomenon-Based Theorizing. Academy of Management Review, 46(4), 631-639. Gregory, R. W., & Henfridsson, O. (2021). Bridging Art and Science: Phenomenon-Driven Theorizing. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 22(6), 1509-1523. Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations (5th ed.). Free Press. Salge, C. A. D. L., & Karahanna, E. (2018). Protesting Corruption on Twitter: Is It a Bot or Is It a Person. Academy of Management Discoveries, 4(1), 32-49. Abramova, O., Recker, J., Schemm, U., & Barwitzki, L.-D. (2025). Inclusion of Autistic IT Workforce in Action: An Auticon Approach. Information Systems Journal, . Grisold, T., Seidel, S., Heck, M., & Berente, N. (2024). Digital Surveillance in Organizations. Business & Information Systems Engineering, 66(3), 401-410. Dwivedi, Y. K., Kshetri, N., ... Wright, R. T. (2023). “So what if ChatGPT wrote it?” Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Opportunities, Challenges and Implications of Generative Conversational AI for Research, Practice and Policy. International Journal of Information Management, 71, 102642. 

Zhongliang Jiang is leading the Robotics and Ultrasound Team at TU Munich, Germany. His research spans over medical robotics, robot learning, control and robotic ultrasound. Zhongliang's YouTube channel

Connor Leahy and Gabriel Alfour, AI researchers from Conjecture and authors of "The Compendium," joinus for a critical discussion centered on Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) safety and governance. Drawing from their comprehensive analysis in "The Compendium," they articulate a stark warning about the existential risks inherent in uncontrolled AI development, framing it through the lens of "intelligence domination"—where a sufficiently advanced AI could subordinate humanity, much like humans dominate less intelligent species.SPONSOR MESSAGES:***Tufa AI Labs is a brand new research lab in Zurich started by Benjamin Crouzier focussed on o-series style reasoning and AGI. They are hiring a Chief Engineer and ML engineers. Events in Zurich. Goto https://tufalabs.ai/***TRANSCRIPT + REFS + NOTES:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p86l75y4o2ii40df5t7no/Compendium.pdf?rlkey=tukczgf3flw133sr9rgss0pnj&dl=0https://www.thecompendium.ai/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connor_Leahyhttps://www.conjecture.dev/abouthttps://substack.com/@gabecc​TOC:1. AI Intelligence and Safety Fundamentals [00:00:00] 1.1 Understanding Intelligence and AI Capabilities [00:06:20] 1.2 Emergence of Intelligence and Regulatory Challenges [00:10:18] 1.3 Human vs Animal Intelligence Debate [00:18:00] 1.4 AI Regulation and Risk Assessment Approaches [00:26:14] 1.5 Competing AI Development Ideologies2. Economic and Social Impact [00:29:10] 2.1 Labor Market Disruption and Post-Scarcity Scenarios [00:32:40] 2.2 Institutional Frameworks and Tech Power Dynamics [00:37:40] 2.3 Ethical Frameworks and AI Governance Debates [00:40:52] 2.4 AI Alignment Evolution and Technical Challenges3. Technical Governance Framework [00:55:07] 3.1 Three Levels of AI Safety: Alignment, Corrigibility, and Boundedness [00:55:30] 3.2 Challenges of AI System Corrigibility and Constitutional Models [00:57:35] 3.3 Limitations of Current Boundedness Approaches [00:59:11] 3.4 Abstract Governance Concepts and Policy Solutions4. Democratic Implementation and Coordination [00:59:20] 4.1 Governance Design and Measurement Challenges [01:00:10] 4.2 Democratic Institutions and Experimental Governance [01:14:10] 4.3 Political Engagement and AI Safety Advocacy [01:25:30] 4.4 Practical AI Safety Measures and International CoordinationCORE REFS:[00:01:45] The Compendium (2023), Leahy et al.https://pdf.thecompendium.ai/the_compendium.pdf[00:06:50] Geoffrey Hinton Leaves Google, BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65452940[00:10:00] ARC-AGI, Chollethttps://arcprize.org/arc-agi[00:13:25] A Brief History of Intelligence, Bennetthttps://www.amazon.com/Brief-History-Intelligence-Humans-Breakthroughs/dp/0063286343[00:25:35] Statement on AI Risk, Center for AI Safetyhttps://www.safe.ai/work/statement-on-ai-risk[00:26:15] Machines of Love and Grace, Amodeihttps://darioamodei.com/machines-of-loving-grace[00:26:35] The Techno-Optimist Manifesto, Andreessenhttps://a16z.com/the-techno-optimist-manifesto/[00:31:55] Techno-Feudalism, Varoufakishttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Technofeudalism-Killed-Capitalism-Yanis-Varoufakis/dp/1847927270[00:42:40] Introducing Superalignment, OpenAIhttps://openai.com/index/introducing-superalignment/[00:47:20] Three Laws of Robotics, Asimovhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Three-Laws-of-Robotics[00:50:00] Symbolic AI (GOFAI), Haugelandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_artificial_intelligence[00:52:30] Intent Alignment, Christianohttps://www.alignmentforum.org/posts/HEZgGBZTpT4Bov7nH/mapping-the-conceptual-territory-in-ai-existential-safety[00:55:10] Large Language Model Alignment: A Survey, Jiang et al.http://arxiv.org/pdf/2309.15025[00:55:40] Constitutional Checks and Balances, Bokhttps://plato.stanford.edu/entries/montesquieu/

For better or (mostly) worse, Jiang Qing left her mark on the 20th century.Even before she was married to Chairman Mao, Jiang was a charismatic actor, and her passion for culture helped her spearhead the Cultural Revolution as part of the Communist Party in China, later in life.Joining Kate for this fourth and final episode of our limited series, Real Wives of Dictators, is Linda Jaivin, author of Shortest History of China and the upcoming Bombard the Headquarters! The Cultural Revolution in China.How did she make her way to the head of the Communist Party? Why did she describe herself as "Mao's dog"? And what brought about her downfall?This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.If you'd like to get in touch with the show you can contact us at betwixt@historyhit.com.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Send us a textIn today's episode, Alex talks with Ai Jiang, the author of multiple award-winning short fiction and the highly anticipated A PALACE NEAR THE WIND (releasing April 15th). Ai is a Chinese-Canadian writer, Ignyte, Bram Stoker, and Nebula Award winner, and Hugo, Astounding, Locus, Aurora, and BFSA Award finalist from Changle, Fujian, currently residing in Toronto, Ontario. She is the recipient of Odyssey Workshop's 2022 Fresh Voices Scholarship and the author of A Palace Near the Wind, Linghun, and I AM AI.Listen as they discuss who Ai's literary heroes are, her experimental storytelling inspiration and why A PALACE NEAR THE WIND utilizes a more traditional story structure, how she challenges herself as a writer to avoid getting stuck in old habits, and how to stay true to art in a literary landscape that is favoring the use of AI and fast-fashion esque publishing models. Due to character limitations, please find a full version of the show notes with applicable content warnings and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1→  Connect with Ai on her Instagram or visit her website → Pre-order or Buy A PALACE NEAR THE WIND  HEREThe Hope Prose Podcast's InstagramAlex's Instagram Tara's Instagram

Are oxalates actually harming your health, or is this another nutrition myth? In this episode of Super Life, Darin Olien breaks down the real science behind oxalates, their connection to kidney stones, mineral absorption, and gut health, and whether you really need to avoid high-oxalate foods. There's a lot of fear-mongering around oxalates, but what does the latest research say? Should you stop eating spinach, beets, or almonds? What about meat's impact on kidney function? Darin pulls from peer-reviewed studies to cut through the noise and give you the facts so you can make the best choices for your health. If you've ever wondered whether oxalates are a real concern or just clickbait, this episode is a must-listen.     Segment 1: What Are Oxalates? Friend or Foe? Oxalates, or oxalic acid, are naturally occurring compounds found in many plant-based foods. They serve as a defense mechanism for plants but can sometimes bind with minerals like calcium and iron in the body, potentially forming kidney stones or reducing nutrient absorption.  Here's the key question: Are oxalates dangerous, or is this another health myth blown out of proportion?   Here's what the research says:  For most people, oxalates are NOT a problem. Your body naturally processes and eliminates excess oxalates through urine.  For those prone to kidney stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones (which make up about 80% of all kidney stones), consuming too many high-oxalate foods can increase the risk.  Oxalates can interfere with calcium and iron absorption, but this is only a concern for people with nutrient deficiencies.   Key takeaway: If your kidneys are healthy, your body handles oxalates just fine. But if you've had kidney stones before, you might want to pay closer attention to your oxalate intake.      Segment 2: What Does the Science Say About Oxalates?  To cut through the noise, I pulled up the latest research from 2024 and 2025. Here's what's new:    1. Gut Microbiota Can Help Protect Against Oxalates  A  2025 study in Frontiers in Nutrition found that certain gut bacteria (like Oxalobacter formigenes) actually digest oxalates, helping prevent kidney stones.  Takeaway: If you're worried about oxalates, supporting your gut microbiome with probiotics might be a natural way to reduce their impact.  Link: Read Study Here   "The presence of oxalate-degrading bacteria in the gut can significantly lower oxalate absorption and reduce kidney stone risk." – Dr. L. Wang, NHANES Study    2. Vitamin C Supplements & Oxalate Formation  Some people worry that high-dose vitamin C supplements convert into oxalates, increasing kidney stone risk.  A 2025 study in Nutrients found no significant increase in urinary oxalates from vitamin C intake.  Takeaway: If you take vitamin C in moderation, you don't have to worry about it increasing oxalates.  Link: Read Study Here "Contrary to popular belief, moderate vitamin C supplementation does not significantly raise oxalate levels in urine." – Dr. P.C. Calder, Nutrients Journal    3. Cooking & Fermentation Can Reduce Oxalates  A 2024 study on fermentation & nutrient bioavailability found that cooking reduces oxalate levels by up to 60%.  Best methods? Boiling, steaming, and fermentation lower oxalates significantly.  Takeaway: If you love spinach but worry about oxalates, just boil it first!  Link: Read Study Here      Segment 3: What About Meat? Does It Increase Kidney Stone Risk? Now, here's something you might not expect. We talk a lot about oxalates and plant-based foods, but what about meat? Could eating too much meat actually contribute to kidney stones? The research says YES—but not because of oxalates. Instead, the mechanism is uric acid and metabolic acidity. Let's break it down.   1. Red Meat & Uric Acid Stones  A 2024 study in Nature Reviews Urology found that high animal protein intake increases uric acid, which contributes to kidney stones.  Excess meat consumption makes urine more acidic, making it easier for stones to form.  Link: Read Study Here "High animal protein intake, while providing essential amino acids, also contributes to increased acid load and uric acid production, both of which are risk factors for kidney stone development." – Dr. S. Loeb, Nature Reviews Urology     2. Meat Increases Metabolic Acidity  A 2025 study from Frontiers in Endocrinology found that excessive meat consumption leads to increased acid load, calcium loss, and kidney dysfunction.  This makes it harder for the kidneys to filter out waste properly.  Link: Read Study Here "While meat consumption is essential for many, excessive intake can disrupt mineral ion homeostasis, increasing the risk of kidney stone disease." – Dr. R. Ahmad, Frontiers in Endocrinology     Segment 4: Foods High & Low in Oxalates Knowing which foods to eat or limit is key.   High-Oxalate Foods (If You're at Risk)  Spinach, Swiss chard, beet greens  Beets, rhubarb, sweet potatoes  Almonds, peanuts, cashews  Blackberries, kiwi, figs  Black tea, cocoa, coffee    Low-Oxalate Foods (Safer Choices)  Kale, mustard greens, cabbage  Cauliflower, cucumbers, zucchini  Apples, bananas, melons, grapes  Milk, yogurt (binds with oxalates)  Eggs, fish, chicken, beef (in moderation)     Segment 5: Actionable Steps to Manage Oxalate & Meat Intake If you're concerned about oxalates or meat-related kidney stones, here's what to do:   Balance Oxalates with Calcium  Eat calcium-rich foods with oxalates to prevent them from forming stones. Cook Your Vegetables  Boiling, steaming, and fermenting reduce oxalates by up to 60%!  Drink Plenty of Water  Staying hydrated flushes out excess oxalates & uric acid.  Don't Overdo Meat Consumption  Limit red meat intake and balance with alkaline foods like vegetables & fruit.  Probiotics for Gut Health  Consider probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kimchi to help break down oxalates.     Final Thoughts So, should you avoid oxalates? Should you stop eating meat? Not necessarily. The real key is BALANCE. Most people don't need to avoid oxalates entirely, and meat is fine in moderation—as long as you balance it with hydration, alkaline foods, and a gut-friendly diet.     What You'll Learn in This Episode: (00:00:00) Introduction – What are oxalates, and why is everyone talking about them? (00:02:15) The Truth About Oxalates & Kidney Stones – Are they really the cause? (00:05:10) How Oxalates Interact With Calcium & Iron – What the science actually says (00:08:08) Who Should Be Concerned About Oxalates? – The key factors to consider (00:11:30) The Role of Gut Health in Oxalate Absorption – How your microbiome protects you (00:14:00) Cooking vs. Raw: Does Preparation Matter? – The best ways to reduce oxalates (00:16:45) The Link Between Meat, Uric Acid & Kidney Stress – What studies are showing (00:19:30) The Best Foods for Kidney Health & Detoxing Oxalates – Practical dietary advice (00:21:00) Final Thoughts – Why balance & variety in your diet is key     Don't Forget... I just launched my brand new program Superlife Supermind. Visit my website https://superlife.com/ to learn more about how you can get rid of stress, improve sleep and overall health today.     Thank You to Our Sponsor: Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off     Find More From Darin: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway: "Oxalates aren't inherently dangerous—your gut health, kidney function, and overall diet determine how they impact your body."     Bibliography – Research on Oxalates, Meat Consumption & Kidney Stones   Oxalates & Kidney Stones: Wang, L., Wu, J., Jiang, Z., et al. (2025). Dietary index for gut microbiota and its protective role against kidney stones. Frontiers in Nutrition.  Read Study  Calder, P.C., Kreider, R.B., McKay, D.L. (2025). Enhanced Vitamin C Delivery & Oxalates. Nutrients.  Read Study  Zayed, A., Adly, G.M., Farag, M.A. (2025). Management of Dietary Oxalates in Foods: Metabolism & Processing. Food & Bioprocess Technology.  Read Study  Emmanuel, O.K., Aria, J., Jose, D. (2024). Fermentation & Nutrient Bioavailability: How Cooking Reduces Oxalates. ResearchGate.  Read Study  Siener, R. (2025). Tea and Kidney Stone Formation: Analyzing the Impact of Black Tea Consumption. Elsevier.  Read Study     Meat Consumption & Kidney Stones: Loeb, S., Borin, J.F., Venigalla, G., Narasimman, M. (2024). Plant-Based Diets and Urological Health: The Role of Animal Protein in Kidney Stone Risk. Nature Reviews Urology.  Read Study  Feyissa, G.D., Bidu, M.N. (2024). Dietary Determinants of Renal Stone Formation in High-Risk Populations. ResearchSquare.  Read Study  Ahmad, R., Sarraj, B., Razzaque, M.S. (2025). Vitamin D and Mineral Ion Homeostasis in Chronic Diseases: The Link Between Uric Acid, Meat & Kidney Function. Frontiers in Endocrinology.  Read Study  Sharma, S.K., Gautam, A., Bhattarai, U., Basyal, B. (2025). Environmental & Dietary Contributors to Kidney Disease: The Role of High Meat Consumption. Kidney International Reports.  Read Study  Sangolli, A., Nerli, R.B., Ghagane, S.C. (2024). Dietary Risk Factors & Trends in Kidney Stones: Analyzing Red Meat Intake Among Patients. Medical Science – ResearchGate.  Read Study  

Cosmo Jiang is a General Partner at crypto hedge fund Pantera Capital. He joined me to discuss the outlook for crypto in the US and the different sectors of the crypto market.Topics:- Pantera's Approach to investing in Crypto Projects - Current Crypto market conditions and when recovery may happen - Crypto in the US - Meme Coins and Solana - DePin Projects and Outlook - Will new Altcoin ETFs be approved this year? - Stablecoin adoption and market - Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Show Sponsor - ⭐️ Learn about BitGo, one of the top crypto custodians - https://www.bitgo.com/

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Balancing Act: Jiang Li's Journey Through Duty and Desire Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-03-13-22-34-01-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 江丽坐在办公室里，窗外是盛开的樱花树。En: Jiang Li sat in the office, outside the window were blossoming sakura trees.Zh: 春天来了，空气中充满了生机。En: Spring had arrived, and the air was filled with vitality.Zh: 而她的心情却不怎么轻松。En: However, her mood was not very light.Zh: 近来，她的心思总是围绕着工作和家庭打转。En: Recently, her thoughts always revolved around work and family.Zh: 江丽是一名勤奋的员工。En: Jiang Li was a diligent employee.Zh: 最近，公司有一个升职的机会。En: Recently, there was a promotion opportunity at the company.Zh: 江丽想获得这个职位，为家人提供更好的生活。En: Jiang Li wanted to get this position to provide a better life for her family.Zh: 然而，清明节快到了，家里人希望她能回去参加祭祖活动。En: However, Qingming Festival was approaching, and her family hoped she could return to attend the ancestor worship activities.Zh: 每天，她在电脑前忙碌，心里却不停地想着家里的期待。En: Every day, she was busy in front of the computer, but her mind kept thinking about her family's expectations.Zh: 她的同事兼朋友梅晨注意到了江丽的疲惫。En: Her colleague and friend Mei Chen noticed Jiang Li's exhaustion.Zh: “丽，你看起来很累，要照顾好自己啊。”梅晨关心地说。En: "Li, you look very tired, you need to take good care of yourself," Mei Chen said with concern.Zh: 江丽叹了口气。En: Jiang Li sighed.Zh: “谢谢你，梅晨。不过我想要这次升职的机会，也不想让家里失望。”En: "Thank you, Mei Chen. But I want this promotion opportunity, and I don't want to disappoint my family."Zh: 清明节那天快到了，江丽的内心矛盾加剧。En: As the day of Qingming Festival approached, the inner conflict within Jiang Li intensified.Zh: 她想努力工作，赢得老板的认可，但心里知道不能错过和家人一起度过的重要节日。En: She wanted to work hard to earn her boss's recognition, but she knew she couldn't miss such an important festival with her family.Zh: 终于，江丽鼓起勇气，去找老板谈话。En: Finally, Jiang Li gathered the courage to talk to her boss.Zh: 她小心翼翼地说：“老板，我对工作非常认真，但我也有责任去和家人一起过清明节。”En: She cautiously said, "Boss, I am very serious about my work, but I also have a responsibility to be with my family for Qingming Festival."Zh: 老板停下手里的工作，看着她。En: The boss paused his work and looked at her.Zh: 他沉思了一会儿，然后点了点头。En: He pondered for a moment, then nodded.Zh: “我明白你的困难。家庭和工作都是重要的。En: "I understand your difficulty. Family and work are both important.Zh: 你是一个重要的团队成员，我相信你。”En: You are an important team member, and I trust you."Zh: 这次对话后，江丽感到轻松了许多。En: After this conversation, Jiang Li felt much more at ease.Zh: 她意识到，平衡工作和家庭不必是一场零和游戏。En: She realized that balancing work and family did not have to be a zero-sum game.Zh: 通过坦诚的沟通，她可以得到双方面的理解。En: Through honest communication, she could gain understanding from both sides.Zh: 在清明节后回到公司时，她的内心安宁了。En: Returning to the company after Qingming Festival, she felt peaceful inside.Zh: 她决定要更好地表达自己的需求，并找到新的方式来应对工作与家庭的双重责任。En: She decided to express her needs better and find new ways to cope with the dual responsibilities of work and family.Zh: 樱花仍在风中轻轻飘落，象征新的开始。En: The sakura still fluttered gently in the wind, symbolizing a new beginning.Zh: 江丽看着窗外，心中充满了对未来的希望。En: Jiang Li looked out the window, her heart filled with hope for the future.Zh: 她知道，不论在家庭还是在工作中，理解和沟通是最重要的。En: She knew that, whether in family or at work, understanding and communication were the most important. Vocabulary Words:blossoming: 盛开的vitality: 生机diligent: 勤奋的promotion: 升职opportunity: 机会ancestor worship: 祭祖expectations: 期待exhaustion: 疲惫concern: 关心intensified: 加剧conflict: 矛盾cautiously: 小心翼翼地pondered: 沉思recognition: 认可zero-sum: 零和communication: 沟通balanced: 平衡responsibilities: 责任fluttered: 飘落symbolizing: 象征new beginning: 新的开始express: 表达cope: 应对dual: 双重hope: 希望future: 未来inner: 内心honest: 坦诚gathered: 鼓起understanding: 理解

This week, we are chatting with Bihan Jiang, a product lead at Decagon. Decagon is reimagining customer service with AI agents. The company recently raised a $65M Series B and is trusted by companies such as Eventbrite, Substack, ClassPass, Rippling, Notion, and more. We dive into her journey starting at Scale AI after Stanford, moving to the application side of AI, LLM capabilities powering Decagon, and how customers are using Decagon to elevate their customer experience. We also dive into how Decagon is powering email, SMS, and voice and how they adhere to customers' requests for accuracy and reliability.Episode Chapters:Growing up in Texas - 1:53AI powered PM - 3:22Career progression - 6:12Customer support market - 8:58Users of Decagon - 13:13Can we automate 100%? - 16:28Moving into voice AI - 17:25Customer research - 22:22Product roadmap decisions - 26:44Joining an AI startup - 29:15Ending questions - 32:37As always, feel free to contact us at partnerpathpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear ideas for content, guests, and overall feedback.This episode is brought to you by Grata, the world's leading deal sourcing platform. Our AI-powered search, investment-grade data, and intuitive workflows give you the edge needed to find and win deals in your industry. Visit grata.com to schedule a demo today.Fresh out of Y Combinator's Summer batch, Overlap is an AI-driven app that uses LLMs to curate the best moments from podcast episodes. Imagine having a smart assistant who reads through every podcast transcript, finds the best parts or parts most relevant to your search, and strings them together to form a new curated stream of content - that is what Overlap does. Podcasts are an exponentially growing source of unique information. Make use of it! Check out Overlap 2.0 on the App Store today.

The guest this episode is Winnie Jiang, Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD. I talk with Winnie about her recent paper in AMJ that explores how entrepreneurs manage identity conflicts as they attempt to be a “boss” despite coming from humble beginnings. We discuss the emotional work necessary to become a successful entrepreneur and how policy makers and mentors can best support aspiring entrepreneurs.   Jiang, W. Y., Zhao-Ding, A., & Qi, S. 2025. Breaking Free or Locking In: How Socially Disadvantaged Individuals Achieve or Reject an Aspired Identity in an Entrepreneurial Context. Academy of Management Journal, 68(1): 162-190. https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/amj.2022.1104

In Episode 39 of Vietnam Innovators Season 6 (English Edition), we welcome Ms. Kun Jiang, Founder of The Joyful Nest, the driving force behind Vietnam's first luxury postpartum retreat.Drawing from her own postpartum experience, Ms. Kun Jiang recognized the profound challenges many new mothers encounter, particularly the lack of specialized postnatal care services. In response, she established The Joyful Nest, a sanctuary dedicated to providing comprehensive physical and emotional recovery during the crucial early weeks of motherhood.The Joyful Nest is Vietnam's first five-star postpartum retreat, designed to provide comprehensive recovery support for new mothers during the critical weeks after childbirth. Offering personalized care programs ranging from 14 to 28 days, The Joyful Nest combines luxury accommodations, private suites, and 24/7 professional care, ensuring a stress-free and restorative postpartum experience.Rooted in a philosophy that integrates traditional postpartum care practices with modern medical expertise, The Joyful Nest prioritizes not only maternal health but also nutrition, emotional well-being, and mother-baby bonding. With a holistic and thoughtful approach, it creates a seamless, nurturing environment where new mothers can heal, recharge, and fully embrace the transformative journey of motherhood. Listen to this episode on YoutubeAnd explore many amazing articles about the pioneers at: https://vietcetera.com/vn/bo-suu-tap/vietnam-innovatorFeel free to leave any questions or invitations for business cooperation at team@vietcetera.com—If you come across something intriguing, kindly consider making a donation.● Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/vietcetera● Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vietcetera

Listen to the inspiring story of 3 Appleby College studentsin Canada.  Myra Datta, Dyanne Jiang, and Ishaan Grotra have led a food waste reduction movement in their school district by implementing some unique ideas through their WasteZero Project to encourage student participation!  Enjoy our first Canadian episode of the K-12 Food Rescue Podcast.

Linghun by Ai Jiang is set in the mysterious HOME, a suburb of Toronto, where the residents live among the ghosts. Winqi, a high school senior, must navigate her new town, where grief cuts everyone off from the rest of the world.  Recommended in this episode: “The Center for Immortality Research” in Your Utopia by Bora Chung) and Mike Chen's Here and Now and Then NEWS: We have a Bookshop.org shop now! Find all of our favorite books at our shop–and help out small businesses.  UP NEXT: So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison  Buy our books here, including our newest Toil and Trouble.

This episode will be looking at another traditional Chinese formula: Gān Cǎo Gān Jiāng Fú Líng Bái Zhú Tāng or Licorice, Ginger, Poria, and White Atractylodes Decoction. This is a formula that warms the spleen and overcomes dampness and is in the sub-category of formulas that warm and transform water and dampness under the category of formulas that expel dampness. As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb formula and look at its traditional uses, and its preparation, interactions, and cautions. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we are going to talk about mandatory reporting. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us as we undertake another interesting expedition into the exciting universe of herbs exploring Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang or Licorice, Ginger, Poria, and White Atractylodes Decoction!

Am 23.02.2025 steht die Bundestagswahl an. Passend dazu, haben Sinja und Boris sich der folgenden Frage gewidmet: Was hat Achtsamkeit mit Politik zu tun? Darüber hinaus sprechen die beiden darüber, ob und wie uns die Achtsamkeit bei der Entscheidung helfen kann. Umfrage: Wie gefällt dir Verstehen, fühlen, glücklich sein? Erzähle es uns hier.Hintergründe und Studien:Pacheco, G., & Lange, T. (2010). Political participation and life satisfaction: a cross‐European analysis. International Journal of Social Economics, 37, 686-702. Link zur StudieGu, X., Luo, W., Zhao, X., Chen, Y., Zheng, Y., Zhou, J., Zeng, X., Yan, L., Chen, Y., Zhang, X., Lv, J., Lang, Y., Wang, Z., Gao, C., Jiang, Y., & Li, R. (2022). The effects of loving-kindness and compassion meditation on life satisfaction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Applied psychology. Health and well-being. Link zur StudieFang, S., Galambos, N. L., Johnson, M. D., & Krahn, H. J. (2018). Happiness is the way: Paths to civic engagement between young adulthood and midlife. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 42(4), 425-433. Link zur StudieLong, W. J., (2021). Buddha on Politics, Economics, and Statecraft. A Buddhist Approach to International Relations: Radical Interdependence, 35-50. Link zur StudieTextstellen im Pali-Kanon, in denen der Buddha politische Aussagen macht, sind z.B. Cakkavatti-Sihanada Sutta (DN 26), Kutadanta Sutta (DN 5), Mahaparinibbana Sutta (DN 16), Anguttara Nikaya (AN 10.1), Jataka (Jataka-Mala)

Jessie Jiang, founder and CEO of Basically Borrowed, joins us to share her fascinating journey from chemistry student to journalist to impact-driven entrepreneur. From her early days navigating the intense academic world of Peking University to reporting for The New York Times and Time Magazine, Jessie's career took an unexpected turn when she moved to Manila and identified a gap in sustainable fashion. This led her to create Basically Borrowed, a community-driven platform promoting circular fashion through resale, rentals, and conscious consumption. She opens up about the challenges of pivoting careers, launching a business as a solo founder, and balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. If you're an aspiring founder, a sustainability advocate, or simply someone who loves a great hustle story, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!This episode is brought to you by OneCFOFor show notes, go to Hustleshare.comHustleshare is powered by Podmachine Test https://plus.acast.com/s/hustleshare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drs. Narasimhan Jagannathan and Yandong Jiang discuss the article “Effectiveness of Ventilation via an Endotracheal Tube in Pharynx Versus a Facemask in Patients With Potentially Difficult Airway: A Randomized, Crossover, and Blind Trial” published in the February 2025 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Comparing yourself all the time? Tired of feeling like you never quite measure up...no matter how much you accomplish? It's not just YOU! Discover the sneaky specific ways self-comparison shows up for perfectionists, the difference between self-awareness + self-coaching, why self-comparison is not your fault but is your responsibility to change.  On paper, you've got it together— isn't it time you felt like it? Whether it's becoming much more DECISIVE in everything you do, stop playing out worst case scenarios in your head or becoming JOYFULLY PRESENT AMBITIOUS again, Perfectionism Optimized, private 1-1 coaching gives you the life-long skills to *finally feel* as amazing on the inside as your life looks on the outside. Get your stress-free start today at https://courtneylovegavin.com/rewireTIMESTAMPS:00:00-How you can stop comparing yourself to others02:32-The Annoying Problem with Surface-Level Self Comparison Tips03:46-Self Awareness vs. Self Coaching: What's the Difference?05:34-Dangers of DIY Approaches to Rewiring Perfectionism07:25-Why “How To Stop COmparing Yourself To Others” tips backfire for perfectionists12:10-Comparing Insides to Outsides Never Adds Up14:13-Moving the goalposts17:49-Punishment vs. Discipline: Changing Behaviors without Pain19:31-Understanding the Why Behind Your Perfectionistic TendenciesResources Mentioned In Episode 245:Perfect Start Introductory Session Single Coaching SessionBe Proud of Yourself Perfectionism Rewired Ep. 237Chasing Validation Perfectionism Rewired Ep. 236Proving Yourself At Work Perfectionism Rewired Ep. 232Citations/Sources:McCarthy, P. A., Meyer, T., Back, M. D., & Morina, N. (2023). How we compare: A new approach to assess aspects of the comparison process for appearance-based standards and their associations with individual differences in wellbeing and personality measures. PLOS ONE, 18(1), e0280072–e0280072. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280072White, J. B., Langer, E. J., Yariv, L., & Welch, J. C. (2006). Frequent Social Comparisons and Destructive Emotions and Behaviors: The Dark Side of Social Comparisons. Journal of Adult Development, 13(1), 36–44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-006-9005-0Zhou, Y., Yang, Y., Jiang, H., & Guo, C. (2025). Self-comparison versus social-comparison: The impact of imperfection on executive function in perfectionists. Personality and Individual Differences, 234, 112965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2024.112965‌‌

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Rekindling Connections: A Tea House Reunion in Beijing Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-01-22-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 在一个寒冷的冬日，北京的古老胡同里，飘散着更新鲜茶香的茶馆中，挂着红灯笼，墙上写满了书法，让整个地方显得温暖而怀旧。En: On a cold winter day, in the ancient hutong of Beijing, in a tea house filled with the aroma of fresh tea, red lanterns hung while the walls were covered with calligraphy, making the entire place feel warm and nostalgic.Zh: 在这样的氛围中，期待已久的旧友聚会终于来临。En: In this atmosphere, the long-awaited reunion of old friends finally took place.Zh: 茶馆的窗外，白雪在飘落，空气中透着春节的气息。En: Outside the tea house window, snow was falling, and the air bore the breath of the Spring Festival.Zh: 丽娜、江和美三人包了一间温馨的小雅间。En: Lina, Jiang, and Mei booked a cozy little private room.Zh: 丽娜是个内心细腻的作家，总是随身带着一个小笔记本，她希望这次重聚能给她的下一本书带来灵感。En: Lina is a sensitive writer who always carries a small notebook with her, hoping this reunion might inspire her next book.Zh: 江则是个热情的企业家，经常在工作与生活之间找不到平衡。En: Jiang is an enthusiastic entrepreneur who often struggles to find a balance between work and life.Zh: 美是一个话不多的艺术家，正在寻找自己独特的风格。En: Mei is a quiet artist seeking her unique style.Zh: 丽娜喝了一口热茶，看着久别的朋友们，她心里有些忐忑。En: Lina took a sip of hot tea and looked at her long-separated friends, feeling a bit anxious inside.Zh: 时间流逝，很多事物改变了。En: Time had passed, and many things had changed.Zh: 她想知道朋友们变得如何，又担心那些成就和隐痛可能让他们渐行渐远。En: She wanted to know how her friends had changed and feared that their achievements and unspoken pains might have driven them apart.Zh: “最近，你们都好吗？”丽娜打破沉默，轻声问道。En: "How have you all been recently?" Lina broke the silence, asking softly.Zh: 江先开口，他讲述了自己工作上的成功，如何公司蒸蒸日上。En: Jiang spoke first, sharing his work successes and how his company was prospering.Zh: 丽娜听了笑着点头，但她察觉到江眼底的一丝疲惫。En: Lina listened with a nod and smile but detected a hint of fatigue in Jiang's eyes.Zh: 美笑得温柔，却言语稀少。En: Mei smiled gently but said little.Zh: 她正在为新作品烦恼。En: She was troubled by her new work.Zh: 丽娜感受到气氛中隐隐的压力，决定率先打破僵局。En: Sensing the underlying pressure in the atmosphere, Lina decided to break the deadlock first.Zh: 她坦诚地说道：“其实，我最近也遇到了一些困难。En: She confessed, "Actually, I've encountered some difficulties lately.Zh: 写作没有灵感，我有点迷茫。”En: I've been lacking inspiration for my writing and feel a bit lost."Zh: 这番话让气氛陡然安静，En: Her words suddenly quieted the atmosphere.Zh: 江似乎犹豫着，不知如何开口。En: Jiang seemed hesitant, unsure of how to speak.Zh: 忽然，美开口，她说：“我也是，经常怀疑自己的画，是否真的有自己的风格。”En: Suddenly, Mei spoke up, saying, "Me too, I often doubt whether my paintings really have my own style."Zh: 美的声音虽然轻，却坚定。En: Mei's voice was light but firm.Zh: 丽娜欣慰地笑了，这种真实的分享让她感到温暖。En: Lina smiled reassuringly, feeling warmed by this honest sharing.Zh: 江终于放下了伪装，叹了口气，说：“我有时候觉得，我可能忽视了生活中更多重要的事情。”En: Jiang finally dropped his facade and sighed, saying, "Sometimes I feel like I might be neglecting more important things in life."Zh: 他们三人互相对视，熟悉的友谊重新被点燃。En: The three exchanged looks, rekindling their familiar friendship.Zh: 茶馆里，红灯笼映出温暖的光，他们再一次找回了当初的默契和信任。En: In the tea house, the red lanterns cast a warm glow as they rediscovered the mutual understanding and trust they once had.Zh: 丽娜心中一片明亮，她明白，真正打动人的故事源自真实的情感。En: Lina's heart felt bright, understanding that truly moving stories stem from genuine emotions.Zh: 聚会结束时，三人带着重新建立的联系走出茶馆。En: When the gathering ended, the three left the tea house with rebuilt connections.Zh: 每个人都受到鼓舞，准备好追求自己的目标。En: Each was encouraged and ready to pursue their goals.Zh: 丽娜找到了写作的热情，她知道，现在的她比以往任何时候都更具有灵感，因为她懂得了何为真实与深刻的朋友情谊。En: Lina rediscovered her passion for writing, realizing that she was more inspired than ever because she understood what true and profound friendship meant. Vocabulary Words:hutong: 胡同aroma: 香气nostalgic: 怀旧reunion: 聚会lantern: 灯笼calligraphy: 书法prospering: 蒸蒸日上facade: 伪装rekindling: 重新点燃genuine: 真实ancient: 古老embrace: 拥抱anxious: 忐忑fatigue: 疲惫hesitant: 犹豫inspiration: 灵感deadened: 陡然安静firm: 坚定reassuringly: 欣慰地mutual: 互相enthusiastic: 热情balance: 平衡style: 风格subtle: 细腻pressure: 压力deadlock: 僵局pains: 隐痛encountered: 遇到neglecting: 忽视profound: 深刻

Kevin Jiang of Mangusta Capital joins Nick to discuss Investing in xAI, Wiz, and Flexport; Masayoshi Son's Superpower; How Elon Will Win the LLM War; and Whether AI Is an Extinction-Level Event for SaaS. In this episode we cover: Choosing Early-Stage Investing Over Growth Investing Masayoshi and SoftBank's Investment Decisions X AI and Elon Musk's Vision for AI Vertical AI and Industry-Specific Solutions Scalability and Expansion in Vertical AI Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption Guest Links: Kevin Jiang's LinkedIn Company's LinkedIn Company's Website Kevin Jiang's Twitter/X The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter. Are you a founder looking for your next investor? Visit our free tool VC-Rank and we'll send a list of potential investors right to your inbox!

Kevin Jiang is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Mangusta Capital, a venture capital firm investing in Consumer and Vertical AI businesses shaping the future. Prior to starting Mangusta Capital, Kevin was part of the founding investment team at Softbank Vision Fund, leading the coverage of Software and Logistics growth equity investments in North America. In this episode we talk about - - Kevin's story and why he started Mangusta Capital - Why he chose to focus on vertical AI startups - How he got connected with the Del Vecchio family which then made the $50M anchor LP commitment in Mangusta Capital fund 1 - How will AI change the world we live in? - Is AI a threat to knowledge workers? - What qualities make founders win big? & lots more Links: ⭐ Sponsored by Podcast10x - Podcasting agency for VCs - https://podcast10x.com Mangusta Capital website - https://www.mangustacap.com/ Kevin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiangkevin

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: A Riverscape Reunion: Celebrating Family Bonds over Festivity Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-01-09-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 天气清冷，漓江的水面上浮动着薄薄的雾气。En: The weather was chilly, and a thin mist lay over the surface of the Li River.Zh: 远处的喀斯特山峰高耸，形成了一幅优美的图画。En: In the distance, the karst peaks stood tall, creating a beautiful picture.Zh: 江边的村子正为即将到来的元宵节忙碌着，灯笼高高挂起，五彩缤纷。En: The village by the river was busy preparing for the upcoming Lantern Festival, with colorful lanterns hanging high.Zh: 明宇、丽莹和江兄弟三人站在江边。En: Mingyu, Liying, and Jiang, three siblings, stood by the river.Zh: 明宇是一位中年父亲，非常重视家庭。En: Mingyu is a middle-aged father who values family very much.Zh: 他希望这个春节能给家人带来美好的回忆。En: He hoped that this Spring Festival would bring beautiful memories to his family.Zh: 丽莹是他的女儿，青春活泼，对新事物充满好奇。En: Liying is his daughter, youthful and lively, full of curiosity about new things.Zh: 而江，明宇的弟弟，总是乐观、活泼，常常化解兄妹之间的小矛盾。En: And Jiang, Mingyu's brother, is always optimistic and cheerful, often resolving small disputes between the siblings.Zh: 他们计划在漓江边迎接元宵节的到来。En: They planned to welcome the Lantern Festival by the Li River.Zh: 可是，旅途中，丽莹突然觉得很不舒服，她额头发热，脸色苍白。En: However, during the journey, Liying suddenly felt very unwell, her forehead hot, and her face pale.Zh: 明宇心里一沉，看着女儿虚弱的样子，他感到很无助。En: Mingyu's heart sank as he looked at his daughter's weak state, feeling helpless.Zh: 他一直担心无法让一家人在春节期间尽兴，现在这个顾虑似乎成了现实。En: He had always worried about not being able to let the family fully enjoy the Spring Festival, and now this concern seemed to become a reality.Zh: 江试着缓和气氛，他说：“别担心，我们可以先找个地方休息，让丽莹好好养病，庆祝活动以后还有机会。En: Jiang tried to lighten the mood by saying, "Don't worry, we can first find a place to rest and let Liying recuperate; there will be other opportunities for the celebrations."Zh: ”但明宇心里纠结不已，究竟是继续前往灯会，还是该回家为女儿的健康着想呢？En: Yet, Mingyu was torn inside, wondering whether to continue to the lantern festival or to go home for his daughter's health.Zh: 经过一番思考，明宇做出了一个重要的决定。En: After some thought, Mingyu made an important decision.Zh: 他明白，女儿的健康比所有的庆祝都重要。En: He realized that his daughter's health was more important than any celebration.Zh: 他告诉江，“我们先给丽莹找个医生，不然她的病可能会加重。En: He told Jiang, "We should first find a doctor for Liying, or her illness might worsen."Zh: ”江赞同地点头，并迅速向江边的村民询问哪里可以找到医生或治疗师。En: Jiang nodded in agreement and quickly asked the villagers where they could find a doctor or healer.Zh: 不久，他们打听到村里有位经验丰富的医者，住在漓江旁的小木屋里。En: Soon, they learned that there was an experienced healer living in a small wooden house by the Li River.Zh: 他们急忙赶往那户人家，医者是一位和蔼的老者，听说丽莹的情况后，立刻带他们进了小屋。En: They hurried to the healer's home; the healer was a kind old man who, after hearing about Liying's condition, immediately brought them into his cottage.Zh: 老者的药方很快起了作用，丽莹的高烧在几个小时内退了下来。En: The old man's remedy took effect quickly, and Liying's fever subsided within a few hours.Zh: 不久，夜幕降临，漓江畔灯火通明。En: As night fell, the banks of the Li River were bright with lights.Zh: 虽然没有喧闹的花灯庆典，但一家人坐在村屋的暖和火炉旁，心里格外温暖。En: Although there were no bustling lantern festivals, the family sat by the warm furnace of the village house, feeling especially warm at heart.Zh: 丽莹精神好了很多，她微笑着对父亲说：“爸爸，这样的春节也很特别。En: Liying felt much better and smiled at her father, saying, "Dad, this kind of Spring Festival is special too."Zh: ”明宇看着女儿的笑容，顿时觉得一切辛劳都是值得的。En: Seeing his daughter's smile, Mingyu suddenly felt that all the hard work was worthwhile.Zh: 他明白，节日的真正意义，不在于多么华丽的庆祝，而在于家人的健康与团聚。En: He understood that the true meaning of the festival lies not in grand celebrations but in the health and togetherness of the family.Zh: 在这个特别的夜晚，他们围坐在一起，说着彼此的愿望，耳边传来漓江水的轻轻流淌声，那是这个新年最美的乐章。En: On this special night, they sat together, sharing their wishes, with the gentle flow of the Li River in their ears, composing the most beautiful symphony of the new year. Vocabulary Words:chilly: 清冷mist: 雾气surface: 水面karst: 喀斯特peaks: 山峰upcoming: 即将到来siblings: 兄弟youthful: 青春lively: 活泼curiosity: 好奇optimistic: 乐观disputes: 矛盾recuperate: 养病torn: 纠结worsen: 加重healer: 治疗师remedy: 药方subsided: 退了下来furnace: 火炉bustling: 喧闹togetherness: 团聚sympathy: 同情thinking: 思考helpful: 有用decided: 决定experienced: 经验丰富cottage: 小屋flow: 流淌gentle: 轻轻symphony: 乐章

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Finding Family: A Winter Quest in Beijing's Panjiayuan Market Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-01-02-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 魏站在北京潘家园的入口，微冷的冬风裹着他的围巾。En: Wei stood at the entrance of Beijing Panjiayuan, his scarf wrapped tight against the chilly winter breeze.Zh: 他深吸一口气，感受空气中的热闹。En: He took a deep breath, savoring the lively atmosphere in the air.Zh: 在他的眼前，琳琅满目的摊位仿佛是另一个世界。En: In front of him, the dazzling array of stalls felt like another world.Zh: "我要找到特别的。"魏对自己说。En: "I need to find something special," Wei said to himself.Zh: 他需要一个家族传统的特别象征，他决心不辜负这个任务。En: He was looking for a unique symbol of his family's tradition, determined not to disappoint in his quest.Zh: 与此同时，他有些紧张，担心自己会在这么多选择中迷失。En: At the same time, he felt a bit anxious, worried he might get lost among the many choices.Zh: 莉莉和江也在这里，他们是魏的朋友。En: Lily and Jiang were there too; they were Wei's friends.Zh: 莉莉总是很乐观，她笑着对魏说：“别担心，跟着你的感觉走就好。”En: Lily was always optimistic, and she smiled at Wei, saying, "Don't worry, just follow your instincts."Zh: 潘家园人来人往，热闹非凡。En: Panjiayuan was bustling with people, lively and vibrant.Zh: 各种各样的古董和年节装饰品展示着它们的魅力。En: All sorts of antiques and New Year decorations showcased their charm.Zh: 小巧玲珑的玉佩，长长的红灯笼，还有充满中国元素的年画。En: Delicate jade pendants, long red lanterns, and New Year paintings brimming with Chinese elements were on display.Zh: 浓烈的街头小吃香味弥漫在空气中。En: The rich aroma from street food stalls filled the air.Zh: 有时候，寺庙的香烟味道会不时飘过来，引发魏对故乡的眷恋。En: Sometimes, the scent of incense from a temple would drift over, stirring Wei's longing for his hometown.Zh: 魏走入市场，一路仰头四顾。En: Wei entered the market, looking around as he walked.Zh: 他渴望寻找一件蕴含家族传统的古物。En: He was eager to find an antique containing his family's traditions.Zh: 形形色色的展品让他目不暇接。En: The diverse exhibits overwhelmed him.Zh: 他突然觉得有些困惑，不知该从何入手。En: Suddenly, he felt a bit perplexed, unsure where to start.Zh: “我们去那边看看吧。”莉莉指着一处角落，那里似乎没什么人。En: “Let's check over there,” Lily pointed to a corner that seemed less crowded.Zh: 魏点点头，跟着莉莉和江走过去。En: Wei nodded and followed Lily and Jiang over.Zh: 角落的一个摊位上，一座老虎木雕吸引了魏的注意。En: At a stall in the corner, a wooden tiger carving caught Wei's attention.Zh: 木雕细致且充满力量，仿佛栩栩如生。En: The carving was detailed and powerful, almost lifelike.Zh: 这就是他一直在寻找的东西。En: This was what he had been searching for.Zh: “这座虎雕太美了。”魏轻声说道，他感受到一种内心的共鸣。En: "This tiger carving is so beautiful," Wei said softly, feeling a resonance within himself.Zh: 它象征着今年的虎年，正合适。En: It symbolized the Year of the Tiger, making it just right.Zh: “它会带来好运的。”En: "It will bring good luck."Zh: 摊主是一个和蔼的老人，他微笑着说：“这座雕像代表勇敢和保护，是个好兆头。”En: The stall owner, a kindly old man, smiled and said, "This statue represents courage and protection, a good omen."Zh: 魏毫不犹豫地购买了这座木雕。En: Without hesitation, Wei purchased the wooden carving.Zh: 手握木雕，他心中充满了坚定。En: Holding it, his heart filled with determination.Zh: 他知道他找到了正确的东西，不仅是因为它的美丽，更因为它触动了他心底的某种情感。En: He knew he had found the right piece, not only because of its beauty but because it touched something deep within his heart.Zh: 从市场出来的时候，魏的脚步轻松了许多。En: Leaving the market, Wei walked with a much lighter step.Zh: 带着木雕，他看到了未来的光明，期待着春节的团聚。En: With the carving in hand, he saw the bright future ahead and looked forward to the reunion during the Spring Festival.Zh: 莉莉笑着拍拍他的肩：“看吧，我就说相信自己的直觉没错的。”En: Lily smiled and patted his shoulder: "See, I told you trusting your instincts wouldn't be wrong."Zh: 魏笑了，内心更加自信。En: Wei smiled back, feeling more confident than ever.Zh: 他明白，家族传统不仅仅是物品的象征，而是他心底的连接。En: He realized that family tradition was more than just a symbolic object; it was a connection deep within him.Zh: 选择相信和倾听自己的内心，他确实做对了。En: By choosing to believe and listen to his heart, he had indeed made the right decision.Zh: 在这个冬日的北京，魏发现他不再迷惘。En: On this winter day in Beijing, Wei found that he was no longer lost.Zh: 他带着找到的答案，步入新年，迎接未来的一切可能。En: With the answers he found, he stepped into the new year, ready to embrace all the possibilities the future held. Vocabulary Words:entrance: 入口chilly: 微冷savoring: 感受dazzling: 琳琅满目array: 摊位unique: 特别symbol: 象征determined: 决心anxious: 紧张bustling: 热闹非凡antiques: 古董displays: 展示overwhelmed: 目不暇接perplexed: 困惑crowded: 没什么人carving: 雕detailed: 细致lifelike: 栩栩如生resonance: 共鸣protection: 保护hesitation: 毫不犹豫determination: 坚定reunion: 团聚instincts: 直觉connection: 连接listening: 倾听possibilities: 可能entrance: 入口vibrant: 魅力incense: 香烟

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: A Holiday Gamble: Triumph at the Lisboa Casino Showdown Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2024-12-27-23-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 澳门的圣诞季节，灯火辉煌的葡京赌场里，一场紧张的德州扑克比赛正在进行。En: In Aomen, during the Christmas season, in the brightly lit Lisboa Casino, a tense poker game of Texas Hold'em is underway.Zh: 房间里播放着温暖的圣诞音乐，挂满了红色绿色的节日装饰。En: The room is filled with warm Christmas music and decorated extensively with red and green holiday ornaments.Zh: 桌边坐着三个关键人物：雷，江，和梅。En: Seated at the table are three key figures: Lei, Jiang, and Mei.Zh: 紧张的气氛中，只有扑克牌的声音和筹码的碰撞声。En: Amidst the tense atmosphere, only the sound of cards shuffling and the clinking of chips can be heard.Zh: 雷，坐在主桌旁，满脸专注。En: Lei, sitting at the main table, is deeply focused.Zh: 他心里清楚，这不是寻常的游戏。En: He is well aware that this isn't just any ordinary game.Zh: 一盘定输赢，他背负巨大债务，期望用这次胜利重新开始。En: The outcome of this game will determine everything for him.Zh: 江是他的对手，一个精明而神秘的人物。En: Jiang is his opponent, a shrewd and mysterious figure.Zh: 此时，江脸上挂着一抹浅浅的微笑，仿佛对结局胸有成竹。En: At this moment, Jiang wears a faint smile, as if he is confident about the outcome.Zh: 梅静静地站在雷的身后。En: Mei stands quietly behind Lei.Zh: 她并不参与游戏，但她的支持始终如一。En: She is not participating in the game, but her support remains steadfast.Zh: 每当雷低下头，梅就给他一个鼓励的眼神。En: Every time Lei lowers his head, Mei gives him an encouraging look.Zh: 她知道雷面临的困难，也知道他需要这场胜利。En: She knows the difficulties Lei is facing and understands that he needs this win.Zh: 当牌桌上最后一手牌展开的时候，雷的手心渗出细密的汗珠。En: As the last hand at the poker table unfolds, Lei's palms are sweaty.Zh: 幸运女神似乎不在他的这一边，不少扑克高手都已被他淘汰，但这最后一局，是最艰难也是最关键的一局。En: Lady Luck doesn't seem to be on his side; several poker experts have already been eliminated by him, but this last round is the toughest and most crucial.Zh: 雷面临选择。En: Lei faces a choice.Zh: 他可以选择放弃，承认失败，避开更大的损失。En: He can choose to fold, admit defeat, and avoid greater losses.Zh: 或者，他可以孤注一掷，赌上所有。En: Or he can go all in, betting everything he has.Zh: 他的心跳加快，耳边是自己急促的呼吸声和梅的祈祷。En: His heartbeat quickens, his ears hear his own rapid breaths and Mei's silent prayers.Zh: 最终，雷大声喊出：“全押！”他的筹码全部推到桌面中央。En: Finally, Lei shouts out, "All in!" He pushes all his chips to the center of the table.Zh: 对面的江微微一笑，跟着压上自己的筹码。En: Across from him, Jiang smiles slightly and follows by placing his own chips.Zh: 这一刻，时间似乎停止，空气变得凝重。En: At that moment, time seems to stop, and the air grows heavy.Zh: 荷官缓缓翻开最后的一张牌。En: The dealer slowly reveals the last card.Zh: 雷屏住了呼吸。En: Lei holds his breath.Zh: 是一张红桃，正合他需要的同花顺。En: It's a heart, completing the flush he needs.Zh: “赢了！”雷忍不住低声欢呼。En: "Won!" Lei can't help but cheer softly.Zh: 他赢下这局，解决了债务危机，也感受到了重生的希望。En: He wins the hand, resolving his debt crisis and feeling a renewed sense of hope.Zh: 江微微点头，显然对这样的结果不意外，但脸上依然是那个神秘莫测的表情。En: Jiang nods slightly, apparently not surprised by the result, but still wearing that enigmatic expression.Zh: 梅激动地握住雷的手：“我就知道你可以的！”En: Mei, excitedly gripping Lei's hand, exclaims, "I knew you could do it!"Zh: 雷露出感激的微笑。En: Lei smiles gratefully.Zh: 他不仅得到经济上的救赎，还在这场冬季的圣诞之夜中获得了更深的人生启示。En: Not only has he achieved financial relief, but on this winter Christmas night, he also gained a deeper life insight.Zh: 他明白，未来还要靠自己更加谨慎踏实地走下去。En: He realizes that the future relies on him to walk more cautiously and steadily.Zh: 在这豪华的澳门赌场里，随着夜色渐深，节日的气氛愈发浓烈，雷心中对未来充满了新的期待和信心。En: In this luxurious Aomen casino, as the night deepens, the festive atmosphere becomes even more intense, filling Lei's heart with new hope and confidence for the future. Vocabulary Words:tense: 紧张的poker: 扑克牌extensively: 广泛地ornaments: 装饰opponent: 对手shrewd: 精明的mysterious: 神秘的steadfast: 坚定的eliminated: 淘汰fold: 放弃defeat: 失败bet: 赌heartbeat: 心跳rapid: 急促的silently: 默默地prayers: 祈祷crucial: 关键的reveal: 翻开flush: 同花顺crisis: 危机enigmatic: 神秘莫测的insight: 启示cautiously: 谨慎地steadily: 踏实地luxurious: 豪华的confidence: 信心intense: 浓烈的deepen: 渐深atmosphere: 气氛renewed: 重生的

Leo Jiang is a staff engineer with Amplitude. Amplitude is a digital analytics product that allows you to see how your customers drop off on your website. Number one tip: For people who want to get into software engineering, go make your own website and use amplitude to see how users are using your website.   Contact info: www.amplitude.com   https://www.engineeringcareeraccelerator.com/engineeringentrepreneur The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at info@caddesignhelp.com

Jared and Jiang are Core Contributors at Neutral Trade. In this episode of Yield Talks, we explore Neutral Trade, a protocol bringing hedge fund strategies onchain for anyone to access permissionlessly. Learn how their JLP-powered strategies have delivered sustainable double-digit real yields on assets such as USDC, SOL, ETH, and wBTC, and what's next for the protocol. ------

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Mei's Winter Journey: Finding Strength in Friendship Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2024-12-07-08-38-19-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 寒冬的圣托里尼，白色建筑在蓝色爱琴海的映衬下格外醒目。En: In the chilly winter of Santorini, the white buildings are especially striking against the blue Aegean Sea.Zh: 此时，游客稀少，空气中弥漫着清爽的冷意。En: At this time, there are few tourists, and the air is filled with a refreshing chill.Zh: 夜空中，圣诞灯饰点缀着小岛，增添了一丝温暖的氛围。En: In the night sky, Christmas lights adorn the small island, adding a touch of warmth to the atmosphere.Zh: 梅，三十多岁，坚毅而充满决心。En: Mei, a woman in her thirties, is resolute and determined.Zh: 她最近做了膝盖手术，但心中依然怀念那片熟悉的风景。En: She recently had knee surgery, but her heart still longs for the familiar scenery.Zh: 那是一处陡峭的小路，通往圣托里尼岛上她最爱的观景台。En: It is a steep path leading to her favorite viewpoint on Santorini Island.Zh: 从那里，可以看到整片岛屿与海洋的壮丽。En: From there, one can see the magnificent view of the entire island and the ocean.Zh: 梅站在小路的起点，膝盖还有些许疼痛，但她心如刀割地想到，或许再也无法像以前那样自由地走动。En: Mei stands at the start of the path, her knee still slightly painful, but her heart aches at the thought that she may never be able to move freely as she once did.Zh: 她暗下决心，要再一次挑战自己。En: She is determined to challenge herself once more.Zh: 此刻，与她同行的朋友江和刘并不知道她计划的艰辛。En: At this moment, her friends Jiang and Liu, who are traveling with her, have no idea of the hardship she is planning.Zh: "我可以做到的。"梅轻声对自己说。En: "I can do it," Mei softly tells herself.Zh: 她开始缓缓前行，每一步都在考验她的耐心和毅力。En: She begins to move forward slowly, each step testing her patience and perseverance.Zh: 没多久，膝盖的疼痛开始加剧，心中的不安也随着上升。En: Soon, the pain in her knee begins to intensify, and the unease in her heart rises with it.Zh: 江和刘注意到了梅的艰难。En: Jiang and Liu notice Mei's struggle.Zh: 他们走近，说：“让我们帮你吧，梅。”En: They come closer and say, "Let us help you, Mei."Zh: 但是，梅摇摇头，倔强地拒绝了。En: However, Mei shakes her head, stubbornly refusing.Zh: 小路越来越陡峭，梅的步伐逐渐放慢。En: The path becomes steeper, and Mei's pace gradually slows.Zh: 疼痛让她几乎无法忍受。En: The pain makes it almost unbearable for her.Zh: 就在她几乎要放弃的时候，江和刘再次出现在她的身旁。En: Just when she is about to give up, Jiang and Liu appear by her side once again.Zh: “不是所有的冒险都需要独自完成。”刘温和地说，伸出了手。En: "Not all adventures need to be completed alone," Liu says gently, extending a hand.Zh: 这一次，梅接受了。En: This time, Mei accepts.Zh: 扶着江和刘的臂膀，她一步一步，终于到达了观景台。En: Holding onto Jiang and Liu's arms, she progresses, step by step, until finally reaching the viewpoint.Zh: 眼前的景色依旧壮丽，但在那一刻，梅看到了比风景更美好的东西。En: The scenery before her remains magnificent, but in that moment, Mei sees something more beautiful than the view.Zh: “谢谢你们。”梅微笑着说，心中暖流涌动。En: "Thank you," Mei says with a smile, warmth filling her heart.Zh: 在朋友的陪伴下，她的心情变得轻松。En: In the company of friends, her mood lightens.Zh: 她明白了，冒险并不一定是孤独的征途。En: She understands that adventure does not necessarily have to be a solitary journey.Zh: 分享，不仅提升了旅途的乐趣，也充实了人生。En: Sharing not only enhances the joy of the trip but also enriches life.Zh: 站在这风景如画的地方，梅意识到，自己的冒险精神从未消失。En: Standing in this picturesque place, Mei realizes her adventurous spirit has never disappeared.Zh: 反而，依靠友情，它变得更加丰富和深刻。En: On the contrary, with the support of friendship, it has become richer and deeper.Zh: 对于未来，即使前路依旧崎岖，她也不再惧怕，因为她知道不再是一个人。En: As for the future, even if the road ahead remains rugged, she no longer fears, because she knows she is not alone. Vocabulary Words:chilly: 寒冷的striking: 醒目的refreshing: 清爽的adorn: 点缀resolute: 坚毅的determined: 充满决心的scenery: 风景steep: 陡峭的magnificent: 壮丽的ache: 疼痛challenge: 挑战patience: 耐心perseverance: 毅力intensify: 加剧unease: 不安struggle: 艰难stubbornly: 倔强地unbearable: 无法忍受的adventure: 冒险solitary: 孤独的enhance: 提升enrich: 充实picturesque: 风景如画的spirited: 精神振奋的rugged: 崎岖的composure: 镇定embark: 启程resolve: 决心accompany: 陪伴scenic: 风景的

This episode features "Ancestor Code Error" by Ai Jiang (©2024 by Ai Jiang), and "The Ones Who Come At Last" by P.H. Lee (©2024 by P.H. Lee), both read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if rejection wasn't the end, but the beginning of something greater? On the heels of his fascinating conversation with Jin Jiang, Paul dives deeper into the concept of rejection therapy. Jiang's bold 100-day experiment, which inspired a viral TED Talk with over 11 million views, turned countless "no's" into powerful lessons on resilience. From asking strangers for $100 to hilariously requesting burger refills, Jiang's journey proves that rejection can be a stepping stone to growth.Paul unpacks the transformative power of asking “how” when faced with rejection. How can we shift the narrative from failure to possibility? How can we turn obstacles into opportunities? With themes of ambition, discipline, and resilience, this episode offers insights to help you tackle life's challenges head-on. Key TakeawaysThe concept of "rejection therapy" and its benefits.The universal experience of rejection in various life areas (business, relationships, career).Personal anecdotes illustrating unconventional challenges related to rejection.The importance of reframing rejection as an opportunity for growth.Strategies for turning a "no" into a "yes."The role of ambition, discipline, and resilience in achieving success.The significance of maintaining a positive mindset towards rejection.Encouragement to engage in problem-solving after facing rejection.The motivational message of using rejection as a stepping stone to success. In This Episode:[00:06] Introduction to rejection therapy[01:09] Examples of rejection[02:06] Transforming rejection into growth[02:25] The power of "how"[04:31] Controlling factors in life[05:28] Building resilience through rejection Notable Quotes[00:06] "We have all faced rejection in our business, in our lives, in our career, in our relationships in so many ways I lose count." – Paul[03:25] "Instead of walking away with our tails between our legs or feeling embarrassed or feeling small or feeling less than, think of those negative emotions, but what if rejection no longer had to be a negative thing?" – Paul[05:28] "The next time you get rejected, how do we get to a yes? How can this be possible? How can we partner to turn this no into a yes?" – Paul Resource and LinksPaul EpsteinJoin the Win Monday Community: https://www.paulepsteinspeaks.com/win-mondayTake the Confidence Quiz: https://www.paulepsteinspeaks.com/confidence-quizhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/paulepsteinspeaks/https://www.paulepsteinspeaks.com/MentionedWhat I learned from 100 days of rejection | Jia Jiang | TED

What if facing rejection head-on could actually transform your life? Most of us shy away from rejection, fearing the discomfort and self-doubt that tag along. But imagine if your greatest personal growth was waiting just past that fear.In this episode, host Paul chats with Jia Jiang, bestselling author and global speaker behind the viral TEDx talk, What I Learned from 100 Days of Rejection. Through his “rejection therapy” journey, where he actively sought rejection for 100 days, Jia reshaped his perspective, turning rejection into an opportunity for growth and discovery. Together, they dive into the power of ambition, discipline, and resilience, encouraging you to step boldly toward your dreams—regardless of potential setbacks.Ready to transform rejection from a roadblock into a stepping stone? Tune in and find out how. Key TakeawaysOvercoming the fear of rejection through a project called "rejection therapy."Personal journey and experiences related to seeking rejection for 100 consecutive days.The impact of rejection on personal and professional aspirations.The importance of asking questions and engaging with others after facing rejection.The role of ambition, discipline, and resilience in achieving personal goals.Transformative experiences that led to unexpected opportunities.The significance of sharing personal stories to inspire others.Practical examples of turning rejection into collaborative problem-solving.Encouragement to take actionable steps toward personal growth and opportunities.Viewing rejection as a stepping stone toward success rather than a failure. In This Episode:[00:03] Introduction to rejection[00:20] Welcoming Jia Jiang[01:14] Jiang's origin story[02:18] The start of rejection therapy[03:03] Creative rejection attempts[03:43] Lessons learned from rejection[04:04] Current feelings about rejection[05:06] Understanding reactions to rejection[06:59] Engaging after rejection[13:45] Toastmasters experience[15:34] Recognition from Toastmasters[16:01] Transition to ambition discussion[16:48] Memorable rejection therapy moments[17:11] Krispy Kreme Olympic rings[19:35] The dream of teaching[20:14] Overcoming barriers to teaching[21:03] Taking initiative to teach[22:04] The impact of guest lecturing[23:20] Ambition and flaws[24:42] The power of ambition[25:21] Three controllable factors for success[26:25] The role of ridiculous ambition[27:11] Ambition as a guiding force[28:25] The journey of ambition[29:37] Encouragement to think bigger[30:16] Finding Jiang online[30:44] Actionable tip for winning Monday Notable Quotes[00:04:04] "Rejection today is like my friend or almost like my other life partner. I still quarrel with it sometimes. I still have fear with it, but it's so much different than my relationship with rejection a long time ago." — Jia Jiang[00:18:27] "How many donut moments have I missed in my life just because I thought there's no way I would get it? We reject ourselves way too many times before we even try because we fear potential embarrassment and impossibility." — Jia Jiang[00:27:11] "When I was in the darkest time, I didn't give up and never lost sight and never lost my faith in myself and in what I was trying to accomplish." — Jia Jiang[00:28:44] "Even for somebody like me that has been called ambitious and has leaned into ambition, you have made me more ambitious. I don't care if it's crazy to everybody else in the world; we're going to attack it." — Paul Our GuestJia Jiang is an entrepreneur, TED speaker, and author known for his transformative journey through "Rejection Therapy," a project he adopted after seeking 100 rejections in 100 days. His experience with rejection has shaped his mission to help others face their fears and embrace rejection as a stepping stone to personal growth. Jia advocates for turning rejection into opportunity, using it to fuel ambition and resilience. His work includes speaking engagements, workshops, and products designed to help people overcome fear and unlock their potential. Resource & LinksMonday Momentum Emails (sign up here)Monday MomentumWin Monday Community (join here)Win Monday CommunityPaul EpsteinConfidence QuizWebsiteLinkedInInstagramJia JiangWebsiteLinkedInMentionedTEDx Talk: What I Learned from 100 Days of RejectionRejection Proof10x Is Easier than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less

Did you know there is someone who published a MIS Quarterly paper in its inaugural issue in 1977 and has another one forthcoming in 2024? Hard to fathom but has published at least one paper in our top journal in every decade of its existence. Izak has been doing IS scholarship for almost fifty years, which makes him the perfect researcher to talk to about how the field has changed, where it is going, whether we are progressing well, and whether we maintain the optimal balance between social and technical, internal and external views of IS phenomena in our research. References Benbasat, I., & Schroeder, R. G. (1977). An Experimental Investigation of Some MIS Design Variables. MIS Quarterly, 1(1), 37-49. Jussupow, E., Benbasat, I., & Heinzl, A. (2024). An Integrative Perspective on Algorithm Aversion and Appreciation in Decision-Making. MIS Quarterly, . Benbasat, I., & Zmud, R. W. (2003). The Identity Crisis Within The IS Discipline: Defining and Communicating The Discipline's Core Properties. MIS Quarterly, 27(2), 183-194. Gregor, S., & Benbasat, I. (1999). Explanations from Intelligent Systems: Theoretical Foundations and Implications for Practice. MIS Quarterly, 23(4), 497-530. Berente, N., Gu, B., Recker, J., & Santhanam, R. (2021). Managing Artificial Intelligence. MIS Quarterly, 45(3), 1433-1450. Lyytinen, K., & King, J. L. (2004). Nothing At The Center? Academic Legitimacy in the Information Systems Field. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 5(6), 220-246. Sarker, S., Chatterjee, S., Xiao, X., & Elbanna, A. R. (2019). The Sociotechnical Axis of Cohesion for the IS Discipline: Its Historical Legacy and its Continued Relevance. MIS Quarterly, 43(3), 695-719. Wand, Y., & Weber, R. (1995). On the Deep Structure of Information Systems. Information Systems Journal, 5(3), 203-223. Banville, C., & Landry, M. (1989). Can the Field of MIS be Disciplined? Communications of the ACM, 32(1), 48-60. Benbasat, I., & Wang, W. (2005). Trust In and Adoption of Online Recommendation Agents. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 6(3), 72-101. Benbasat, I., & Barki, H. (2007). Quo Vadis TAM? Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 8(4), 211-218. Toulmin, S. E. (1958). The Uses of Argument. Cambridge University Press. Kim, D., & Benbasat, I. (2006). The Effects of Trust-Assuring Arguments on Consumer Trust in Internet Stores: Application of Toulmin's Model of Argumentation. Information Systems Research, 17(3), 286-300. Qiu, L., & Benbasat, I. (2009). Evaluating Anthropomorphic Product Recommendation Agents: A Social Relationship Perspective to Designing Information Systems. Journal of Management Information Systems, 25(4), 145-182. Applegate, L., & King, J. L. (1999). Rigor and Relevance: Careers on the Line. MIS Quarterly, 23(1), 17-18. Mason, R. O., Mason, F. M., & Culnan, M. J. (1995). Ethics of Information Management. Sage. Mason, R. O. (2022). On the Evolution to PAPA. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 51(2), 7-22. Keen, P. G. W., & Scott Morton, M. S. (1978). Decision Support Systems: An Organizational Perspective. Addison-Wesley. Davis, G. B. (1974). Management Information Systems: Conceptual Foundations, Structure and Development. McGraw-Hill. Alaimo, C., & Kallinikos, J. (2024). Data Rules: Reinventing the Market Economy. MIT Press. Burton-Jones, A., Butler, B. S., Scott, S. V., & Xu, S. X. (2021). Next-Generation Information Systems Theorizing: A Call to Action. MIS Quarterly, 45(1), 301-314. Leidner, D. E., & Tona, O. (2021). The CARE Theory of Dignity Amid Personal Data Digitalization. MIS Quarterly, 45(1), 343-370. Parker, G., Van Alstyne, M., & Jiang, X. (2017). Platform Ecosystems: How Developers Invert the Firm. MIS Quarterly, 41(1), 255-266. Pujol Priego, L., & Wareham, J. (2023). From Bits to Atoms: White Rabbit at CERN. MIS Quarterly, 47(2), 639-668. Yoo, Y., Henfridsson, O., & Lyytinen, K. (2010). The New Organizing Logic of Digital Innovation: An Agenda for Information Systems Research. Information Systems Research, 21(4), 724-735. Moore, G. C., & Benbasat, I. (1991). Development of an Instrument to Measure the Perceptions of Adopting an Information Technology Innovation. Information Systems Research, 2(3), 192-222. 

This week on Sinica, in a show recorded in Beijing, I speak with Liu Yang and Jiang Jiang, the authors of two excellent newsletters — The China Channel and Ginger River Review, respectively — and two of the guys behind the YouTube show "Got China." They're making a great effort to bridge Chinese journalism with Anglophone reporting on China with perspectives and insights from within the Chinese state media system.4:24 – How Jiang Jiang and Liu Yang became journalists 11:42 – How Liu Yang and Jiang Jiang decided to launch their newsletters, and the advantages of being tǐzhì nèi 体制内20:29 – Jiang Jiang and Liu Yang's Got China show 25:46 – Liu Yang's and Jiang Jiang's empathy for American perspectives 29:53 – The negative American discourse on the Chinese economy and “China collapse theory” 37:21 The recent press conferences on monetary and policies, and the response in the realty market in Beijing 46:17 What's next for Got China Recommendations:Liu Yang: Modern Chinese Government and Politics 《当代中国政府与政治?》, a Chinese-language textbookJiang Jiang: The Chinese podcast Bié de diànbō 别的电波; and Shan Weijian's Out of the Gobi: My Story of China and AmericaKaiser: The album The Last Will and Testament by Swedish metal band Opeth; and the Provincial Cuisine Club in Beijing, for trying food from different parts of ChinaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Tianyi Jiang (TJ) co-founded AvePoint in 2001 and has served as the organization's Chief Executive Officer since 2005. A recipient of Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award in New Jersey in 2010, TJ received both B.S. and Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University, and a Master of Philosophy and Ph.D. in Data Mining from the Department of Information Systems, Operations Management, and Statistics, Stern School of Business, New York University. About AvePoint A five-time winner of the Microsoft Partner of the Year award, AvePoint offers the only full suite of SaaS solutions to migrate, manage and protect data in Microsoft 365. More than 8 million cloud users rely on our solutions to make organizations more productive, compliant and secure. Our SaaS solutions are also available to managed service providers, so they can better support and manage their small and mid-sized business customers. Our multi-tenant solutions are available from over a dozen distributors in more than 100 cloud marketplaces worldwide. In 2001, our founders were busy preparing to bring our first product to market — a backup solution for Microsoft's email service, Exchange. Shortly after, their focus quickly turned to providing a backup solution for a new Microsoft product that offered site-based collaboration: SharePoint 2001. Today, our full suite of data management solutions for Microsoft 365 is hosted across 13 global datacenters for unmatched scalability, and to support data sovereignty requirements. Our cloud platform is certified against leading security accreditations and boasts one of the largest SaaS userbases in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. We have pushed the boundaries of enterprise digital collaboration with first-to-market technologies for two decades. More than half of our workforce – including our senior leadership team – are technologists.

Last time we spoke about the Guangzhou, Gansu and Red Spear Uprisings. During China's Warlord Era, the CCP faced many challenges as they sought to implement land revolutions and armed uprisings. Following the Nanchang and Autumn Harvest uprisings, the CCP held an emergency meeting criticizing Chen Duxiu for his appeasement of the KMT right wing. With strong encouragement from Soviet advisors, the CCP planned a major uprising to seize control of Guangdong province. In November 1927, the CCP saw an opportunity as petty warlords in Guangdong and Guangxi engaged in conflict. Zhang Fakui's troops, vulnerable and demoralized, were targeted by the CCP. Mobilizing workers and peasants, the CCP initiated the Guangzhou Uprising. The uprising was ultimately suppressed by superior NRA troops, resulting in heavy CCP casualties and brutal reprisals. The failed uprisings, though unable to achieve immediate goals, ignited a persistent revolutionary spirit within the CCP, marking the beginning of a prolonged civil conflict that would shape China's future.   #121 The Sino-Soviet Conflict of 1929 Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. All the way back in 1919, the brand new Soviet government's assistance Commissar of foreign affairs, Lev Karakhan, issued a manifesto to the Beiyang government, promising the return of the Chinese Eastern Railway at zero financial cost. That statement was made in late July and alongside the railway, he also mentioned relinquishing a lot of rights the former Russian Empire had acquired from unequal treaties, such as the Boxer Protocol. This all became known as the Karakhan Manifesto, and it was formed in a time when the Soviets were fighting the Russian Civil War, advancing east into Siberia. In order to secure the war in Siberia the Soviets had to establish good relations with the Chinese. Yet six months after the july manifesto, Karakhan personally handed over a second version of said manifesto, one that did not influence the rather nice deal of handing over the Chinese eastern railway for free. The Soviets official statement was that they had accidentally promised the deal prior. The truth of the matter was some real politik work at play. The Soviets had been trying to secure a Sino-Soviet alliance against the Japanese, but it looked to them it would never come to be so they simply took the deal off the table.  Henceforth the issue cause a lot of friction. In March of 1920 the Fengtian forces disarmed White Russian Troops along the railway and seized control over its operations. In February of 1922 China and the USSR signed a agreement stipulating the Beiyang government would set up a special agency to manage the railway. Then in November the Chinese announced an area within 11 km along the railway would be designated a Eastern Province special district. In December the Soviet Union officially formed and by May the two nations agreed to settle a list of issues. The Soviets agreed to abolish all the unequal treaties formed by the Russian Empire handing over all the leased territories, consular jurisdiction, extraterritoriality, Boxer payments and such, but the Chinese Eastern Railway would be jointly managed by China and the USSR. Now since the railway sat in the area that Zhang Zuolin came to control, in September of 1924 the Soviets signed an agreement with the Fengtian clique. In this agreement, the Soviets lessened the 80 year lease over the railway to 60 years. The Soviets also promised to hand full control to Chinese administrators, but had a trick up their sleeve. The Soviets let the Chinese think they were adding workers and officials loyal to them, in reality the Soviets were creating more jobs on the railway while hiring Soviet workers. In the end the Soviets controlled roughly 67% of the key positions. When Zhang Zuolin went to war with Feng Yuxiang's Guominjun this changed things considerably. In December of 1925, Zhang Zuolin's army owed the Chinese eastern railway some 14 million rubles, prompting the Soviet administrator over the railway, Ivanov to prohibit Zhang Zuolin's army from using it. Fengtian commander Zhang Huanxiang simply arrested Ivanov disregarding his ban. The Soviets then sent an ultimatum to the Beiyang government demanding his release. So Zhang Zuolin ran to the Japanese to mediate. Things smoothed over until 1928 when the Huanggutun incident saw Zhang Zuolin assassinated. As we saw at the end of the northern expedition, his son Zhang Xueliang responded by raising the KMT flag on December 29th of 1928, joining Chiang Kai-Shek. The next day Zhang Xueliang was made commander in chief of the Northeast.  Now Chiang Kai-Shek's government had broken diplomatic relations with the USSR after the Shanghai massacre purge. Thus Zhang Xueliang felt the old treaties signed by his father with the Soviets were null and void and looked upon the Chinese Eastern Railway enviously. To give some context outside of China. At this point in time, the USSR was implementing rural collectivization, ie; the confiscation of land and foodstuffs. This led to wide scale conflict with peasants, famines broke out, I would say the most well known one being the Holodmor in Ukraine. Hundreds of millions of people starved to death. The USSR was also still not being recognized by many western powers. Thus from the perspective of Zhang Xueliang, it looked like the USSR were fraught with internal and external difficulties, they had pretty much no friends, so taking the railway would probably be a walk in the park.  Zhang Xueliang began diplomatically, but negotiations were going nowhere, so he got tougher. He ordered his officials to take back control over the Chinese Eastern Railway zone police, municipal administration, taxation, land, everything. He instructed Zhang Jinghui, the governor of Harbin's special administrative zone to dispatch military police to search the Soviet embassy in Harbin and arrest the consul general. Zhang Jinghui did so and closed the Soviet consulates in Harbin, Qiqihar and Hailar. All of this of course pissed off the Soviets who responded by protesting the new Nanjing government, demanding the release of their people, while increasing troops to the border of Manchuria. The Soviets announced they were willing to reduce their control over the railway as a concession. This entire situation became known as the May 27th incident and unleashed a tit for tat situation. On July 13th, the Soviets sent an ultimatum giving three days for a response "If a satisfactory answer is not obtained, the Soviet government will be forced to resort to other means to defend all the rights of the Soviet Union." On the 17th the Soviets recalled their officials, cut off the railway traffic between China and the USSR, ejected Chinese envoys from the USSR and cut off diplomatic relations with China. In the background Joseph Stalin was initially hesitating to perform any military actions, not wanting to antagonize the Japanese in Manchuria. However the Soviet consul in Tokyo, sent back word that Japan was completely willing to stay out of any conflict if the Soviets limited it to just northern Manchuria. Thus Stalin decided to act. On August 6th, Stalin formed the Special Red Banner Far Eastern Army under the command of General Vasily Blyukher. It was composed of three infantry divisions; the 1st Pacific Infantry Division, the 2nd Amur Infantry Division, and the 35th Trans-Baikal Infantry Division), one cavalry brigade (the 5th Kuban Cavalry Brigade), and the addition of the Buryat Mongolian Independent Cavalry Battalion. The total force was said to be as many as 30,000 with their headquarters located in Khabarovsk. Blyukher also had the support of the Far Eastern Fleet, roughly 14 shallow water heavy gunboats, a minesweeper detachment, an aviation detachment with 14 aircraft, and a marine battalion commanded by Yakov Ozolin. Blyukher had served during the civil war and was a military advisor in China attached to Chiang Kai-SHek's HQ. He had a large hand to play in the northern expedition, and was one of the select Soviets Chiang Kai-Shek intentionally made sure got home safe during the purge. Blyukher would exercises a unusual amount of autonomy with his far east command, based out of Khabarovsk. For the upcoming operation a 5th of the entire Red Army was mobilized to assist. On the other side Zhang Xueliang mobilized as many troops as he could, including many White Russians hiding out in Manchuria. His total strength on paper was 270,000, but only 100,000 would be actively facing the Soviets as the rest were needed to maintain public order and to defend southern Manchuria. The person in charge of the Eastern Line of the Chinese Eastern Railway was the brigade commander of the Jilin Army, Ding Chao, and the western line was the brigade commander of the Heilongjiang Army, Liang Zhongjia, and the chief of staff was Zhang Wenqing. Wang Shuchang led the First Army to guard the eastern line, and Hu Yukun led the Second Army to guard the western line. The Soviet army also had a quality advantage in equipment. In terms of artillery, the Soviet army had about 200 artillery pieces, including more than a dozen heavy artillery pieces, while the Chinese army had only 135 infantry artillery pieces and no heavy artillery. At the same time, the Soviet army also had a quality advantage in machine guns because it was equipped with 294 heavy machine guns and 268 highly mobile light machine guns. The Chinese army was equipped with only 99 heavy machine guns. In terms of air force, the Chinese army had 5 aircraft that were combat effective. On July 26th the Soviets bombarded Manzhouli from three directions along the western end of the Chinese Eastern Railway. Two days later a Soviet infantry regiment, 3 armored vehicles and 4 artillery pieces advanced to Shibali station, cutting the lines to Manzhouli. They then ordered the Chinese military and police to withdraw as they captured Manzhouli. Then on the 29th the began bombarding Dangbi. On August 8th, 100 Soviet troops carrying two artillery pieces and 3 machine guns engaged Chinese forces outside the south gate of Oupu County street, casualties were heavy for both sides. 5 Soviet aircraft circled over Suifenhe City firing 200 rounds and dropping bombs over the Dongshan Army defense post and Sandaodongzi. The next day 40 Soviet soldiers established two checkpoints at Guzhan blocking traffic and they even began kidnapping civilians. That same day 300 Soviet soldiers and two gunboats occupied the Hujiazhao factory. On the 12th, Sanjianfang, Zhongxing and Lijia's Oil Mill were occupied by over 2000 Soviet troops. Meanwhile 80 Soviets amphibiously assaulted Liuhetun using 8 small boats, killing its defenders before returning to the other side. The next day two Soviet gunboats, 300 marines and 2 aircraft attacked Suidong county in Heilongjiang province while another force attacked Oupu county with artillery. On the morning of the 14th both counties fell. In response the Nanjing government dispatched Liu Guang, the chief of the military department to inspect the Northeast front. On the 15th Zhang Xueliang issued mobilization orders against the USSR, seeing his standing front line forces bolstered to 100,000. On the 15th the foreign minister of the Nanjing government, Wang Zhengting reported to Chiang Kai-Shek negotiations were going nowhere, the Soviets were adamant about getting their rights returned over the Chinese Eastern Railways. The next day, Wang Zhenting told reporters that if the Soviets attacked anymore China would declare war. The next day Zhang Xueliang was interviewed by the Chicago Daily News and had this to say. "The Soviet Union disregarded international trust, trampled on the non-war pact, and rashly sent troops to invade our country. We respect the non-war pact and have repeatedly made concessions to show our responsibility for provoking the provocation. If the Russian side continues to advance, we will be willing to be the leader of the war, so we have prepared everything and will do our best to fight to the death."  On the 16th two Soviet infantry companies and one cavalry company attacked Zhalannur from Abagaitu along the border. The two sides fought for 2 hours until the Soviets stormed the Zhalannur station. After another 5 hours of combat the Soviets pulled back over the border. By this point enough was enough. China declared war on August 17th escalating what was an incident around the Chinese Eastern Railway zone into a full blown war.  Blyukher had developed a plan for an offensive consisting of two rapid operations. The first would be against the Chinese naval forces and the second against the ground forces via a large encirclement. After the war was declared on the 17th, the Soviet Army advanced into Manchuria from the western end of the Chinese Eastern Railway. The Red Banner Special Far Eastern Army initially dispatched a total of 6,091 infantrymen and 1,599 artillerymen in front of Manchuria, equipped with 88 artillery pieces of 76.2 mm or above, excluding artillery belonging to infantry regiments, 32 combat aircraft, 3 armored trains, and 9 T-18 light tanks . The army units included: the 35th and 36th Infantry Divisions of the 18th Infantry Army; the 5th Cavalry Brigade; the Buryat Mongolian Cavalry Battalion; an independent tank company equipped with T-18 tanks, the 6th Aviation Detachment, the 25th Aviation Detachment, the 26th Bomber Squadron, the 18th Army Artillery Battalion, the 18th Engineering Battalion, and a Railway Battalion.  The first battle broke out around Manzhouli. Liang Zhongjia, the brigade commander stationed in Manzhouli, reported this to his superiors of the engagement “of the battle situation, the 38th and 43rd regiments under my command fought with a regiment of Soviet infantry and cavalry for 4 hours in the afternoon and are still in a standoff. The Soviet army has more than one division of troops near Abagaitu”. At 10:30 p.m. on the 18th, the Soviets began to attack the positions of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 43rd Regiment of the Northeastern Army in Zhalannur. At 1 p.m. on August 19, the Soviets added about 600 to 700 troops opposite the positions of the 43rd Regiment of Zhalannur. At 5 a.m the Soviets dispatched five aircraft from Abagaitu to Shibali Station. On the 19th, the Soviets captured Suibin County with ease. At 6 a.m. on the 20th, the Soviets used armored trains to transport more than 200 troops to attack the 10th Cavalry Regiment of Liang Zhongjia's troops. After fighting for about an hour, the Soviets retreated. On the 23rd a battle broke out in Mishan and on the 25th 400 Soviet cavalry began building fortifications roughly a kilometer near the Chinese 43rd regiment at Zhalannur. Zhang Xueliang spoke again to the Chinese and foreign press on the 25th stating this. "Foreigners have many misunderstandings about the Eastern Province's actions this time, thinking that it is to take back the Eastern Route and violate the treaty. In fact, we have no intention of violating the 1924 Sino-Russian Agreement or the Agreement with Russia, because China has signed it and has no intention of violating it. China has no intention of taking back the route at all. What it wants is to remove the Russian personnel who are involved in the communist movement. Moreover, in this matter, the Eastern Route is a very small issue. The real point is that the Russians use China as a base for communism, and we have to take measures in self-defense." Between the 28th to the 30th an intense battle broke out at Wangqing.  On the 31st, Soviet gunboats bombarded three garrisons around  Heihe. On September 4th, the Soviet army bombarded the right wing of the 43rd and 38th Regiments stationed in Lannur. At 4 pm on the 9th, a single regiment of the Soviet army, under the cover of artillery, launched a fierce attack on the Chinese army at Manzhouli Station from the Shibali Station, but by 8:30 pm, they pulled back. At 4 pm, 8 Soviet aircraft bombed Suifenhe Station, causing over 50 Chinese casualties and injured a regimental commander. On the night of the 16th, more than 100 Soviet troops attacked the Kukdoboka checkpoint in Lubin County and burned down the checkpoint. On the 18th, the Soviet government announced to the ambassadors of various countries that they had always advocated for a peaceful solution to the issue of the Chinese Eastern Railway, while China's attitude was hypocritical and insincere. It was believed that future negotiations were hopeless, and all previous negotiations mediated by Germany were terminated. From now on, they stated quote “the Soviet Union would not bear any responsibility for any ominous incidents caused on the Sino-Russian border”. With negotiations completely broken down, Blyukher was given the greenlight to launch a fatal blow.  On October 2, more than a thousand Soviet infantryman, supported by aircraft and artillery stormed the positions of the 3rd Battalion of the 38th Regiment in Manzhouli. The two sides fought until the morning of the 3rd. On the 4th Zhang Xueiliang drafted the “national volunteer army organization regulations letter” trying to embolden the population stating "when the foreigners invade the border, the first thing to do is to resist. All citizens or groups who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the country on the battlefield will be volunteers or volunteer soldiers." The new regulations stipulated that volunteers of this new group would be named as the National Volunteer Army. On October the 10th, 30,000 Soviet forces on the Baikal side advanced through the northeastern border of China. At this time, the brigade responsible for defending Liang Zhongjia had been fighting with the Soviet troops for dozens of days. There was no backup and they were in urgent need of help. According to Chinese observations, the Soviets deployed nearly 80,000 troops by land, sea and air on the Sino-Soviet border. Along the eastern front, the Soviets capture in succession Sanjiangkou, Tongjiang and Fujin. Meanwhile at 5am on the 12th the Far Eastern Fleet commanded engaged in a firefight with the Songhua River Defense Fleet, near Sanjiangkou. According to Chinese reconnaissance, the Soviet warships participating in the battle included: the flagship "Sverdlov" a shallow-water heavy gunboat led by Sgassk, the shallow-water heavy gunboat "Sun Yat-sen", the shallow-water heavy gunboat "Red East", the shallow-water heavy gunboat "Lenin", the inland gunboat "Red Flag", and the inland gunboat "Proletariat", with a total of 4 152mm cannons, 26 120mm cannons, 6 85mm anti-aircraft guns, 8 37mm anti-aircraft guns, and more than ten aircraft for support. The Chinese forces were led by Yin Zuogan who commanded six shallow-water gunboats, including the "Lijie" (flagship), "Lisui", "Jiangping", "Jiang'an", and "Jiangtai", and the "Dongyi" armed barge as a towed artillery platform. Except for the "Jiangheng" of 550 tons and the "Liji" of 360 tons, the rest were all below 200 tons, and the entire fleet had 5 120mm guns. In the ensuing battle the Jiangping, Jiang'an, Jiangtai, Lijie, and Dongyi, were sunk, and the Lisui ship was seriously injured and forced to flee back to Fujin.The Chinese side claimed that they damaged two Soviet ships, sunk one, and shot down two fighter planes; but according to Soviet records, five Soviet soldiers were killed and 24 were injured.  At the same time as the naval battle around Sanjiangkou, two Soviet gunboats covered four armed ships, the Labor, Karl Marx, Mark Varyakin, and Pavel Zhuravlev, carrying a battalion of more than 400 people from the 2nd Infantry Division Volochaev Regiment, landing about 5 kilometers east of Tongjiang County and attacking the Chinese military station there. The Northeast Marine Battalion guarding the area and the Meng Zhaolin Battalion of the 9th Army Brigade jointly resisted and repelled the Soviet's initial attack. The Chinese suffered heavy losses, with more than 500 officers and soldiers killed and wounded, and more than 70 people including the Marine Battalion Captain Li Runqing captured.  On the 14th, the Chinese sank 6 tugboats, 2 merchant ships and 2 warships in the waterway 14 kilometers downstream of Fujin, forming a blockade line; and set up solid artillery positions and a 13-kilometer-long bunker line nearby, destroying all bridges on the road from Tongjiang to Fujin. A battle broke out at Tongjiang and according to the the report of Shen Honglie “the Northeast Navy suffered more than 500 casualties (including marines), 4 warships were sunk, 1 was seriously damaged, and the "Haijun" gunboat (45 tons) was captured by the Soviet army and renamed "Pobieda"; 17 officers including the battalion commander Meng Zhaolin and 350 soldiers of the army were killed; the Chinese side announced that 2 Soviet planes were shot down (some sources say 1), 3 Soviet warships were sunk, 4 were damaged, and more than 300 casualties”. On the 18th, the Soviets completely withdrew from the Tongjiang, allowing the two regiments of Lu Yongcai and Zhang Zuochen of the 9th Brigade to recapture it. On the 30th, Admiral Ozolin led some Soviet land forces in a major attack in the Fujian area. He organized the troops under his jurisdiction into two groups. He led the first group personally, who were supported by heavy gunboats Red East, Sun Yat-Sen and gunboats Red Flag, Proletarian, Buryat, minelayer Powerful and the armored boat Bars. Their mission was to annihilate the remnants of the river defense fleet anchored in Fujin. The second group was commanded by Onufryev, the commander of the Soviet 2nd infantry division. His group consisted of the shallow-water heavy gunboat Serdlov, gunboat Pauper and the transport fleets steam carrying the Volochaev Regiment and the 5th Amur regiment who landed at Fujin.  On the other side the Chinese had concentrated two infantry brigades, 3 cavalry regiments and a team of police with the support of the gunboats Jiangheng,  Lisui, Liji and the tugboat Lichuan. At 9 am on the 31st, the 7 Soviet ships suddenly destroyed the river blocking ropes and entered the Fujin River bank, bombarding the Chinese army, as cavalry landed. The Chinese ships "Lisui" and "Lichuan" sank successively, and only the "Jiangheng" managed to participate in the battle, but soon sank after firing only three shots. At 7 pm 21 Soviet ships sailed up the Songhua River, as part of the cavalry landed at Tuziyuan, advancing step by step towards Fujin. At 9 pm 7 Soviet ships approached the Fujin River bank, with roughly 700 infantry, cavalry and artillery soldiers of the 2nd Amur Infantry Division landed. The Chinese army collapsed without a fight, retreating to Huachuan, and by11am, Fujin county was occupied. Chinese sources reported “the Soviet army burned down the civil and military institutions separately and destroyed all the communication institutions. They distributed all the flour from the Jinchang Fire Mill to the poor, and plundered all the weapons, ammunition and military supplies." On the evening of November 1, the Soviet infantry, cavalry and artillery withdrew from the east gate. On the morning of the 2nd, the Soviet ships withdrew one after another. According to Soviet records, nearly 300 Chinese soldiers were killed in this battle, with thousands captured, while the Soviet army only lost 3 people and injured 11 people . The Chinese Songhua River fleet was completely destroyed, and 9 merchant ships were captured. In early November, the weather in the north became freezing cold, leading the rivers to freeze. Soviet warships retreated back to Khabarovsk, and their infantry and cavalry also returned by land. The war on the Eastern Front was basically over.  As for the western front, the main battlefields revolved around Manzhouli and Zhalannur. Since August 1929, conflicts here continued, a lot of back and forth stuff. The soviets would storm the areas and pull out. Yet in November, the war in the west escalated.  The commander of the Soviet Trans-Baikal Group, was Stepan Vostrezov, wielding the 21st, 35th and 36th infantry divisions, the 5th Cavalry Brigade, 331 heavy machine guns, 166 light machine guns, 32 combat aircraft, 3 armored trains, 58 light artillery, 30 heavy artillery, 9 T-18 ultra-light tanks, amongst other tanks. The Chinese side had about 16,000 people. There would be three major battles : the Battle of Zhallanur, the Battle of Manzhouli, and the Battle of Hailar. On November the 16th, the Soviets unleashed a large-scale offensive, tossing  nearly 40,000 troops, 400 artillery pieces, 40 tanks and 30 aircraft against the western front. At 11pm the Soviets crossed over the border. At 3am on the 17th the 5th Kuban Cavalry Brigade set out from Abagaitui, followed by the 35th Infantry Division who crossed the frozen surface of the Argun River, hooking around the rear of the Chinese garrison in Zhalannur along the east bank of the Argun River. At 7am Soviet aircraft began bombing the western front. The Chinese garrison headquarters, tram house, 38th Regiment building, and military police station were all bombed, and the radio station was also damaged. At noon, the Binzhou Railway was cut off 10-12 kilometers east of the city, and Zhalannur was attacked. Supported by 8 T-18 tanks and fighter planes, they attacked Zhalannur several times. On the morning of the 18th, the Soviet 5th Cavalry Brigade launched an attack against the 7,000-man 17th Brigade of the Chinese Army guarding Zhalannur. At 1pm on the 18th the Zhalannur Station and the Coal Mine was occupied by the Soviet army. The Chinese defenders, Brigadier Han Guangdi and Commander Zhang Linyu, were killed in action. More than half of the brigade officers and soldiers were killed and more than a thousand were captured. After capturing Zhalannur the Soviets concentrated their forces against Manzhouli. On the 19th, 7 T-18s supported the 108th Infantry Regiment of the Soviet 36th Division to attack Manzhouli from the east and west. Artillery pounded the city, before it was stormed. The 15th Brigade of the Chinese Army guarding the area was quickly surrounded by the Soviet army. Brigade Commander Liang Zhongjia and Chief of Staff Zhang Wenqing, alongside nearly 250 officers, fled to the Japanese consulate and surrendered to the Soviet army on the 20th. According to Soviet records, in the battles of Zhalannur and Manzhouli, over 1,500 Chinese soldiers were killed and more than 9,000 were captured, while the Soviet side lost 143 people, 665 were wounded and 4 were missing. Additionally 30 Chinese artillery pieces and 2 armored trains were captured by the Soviet army. The Soviets claimed that Chinese troops from Lake Khinkai were attacking Iman, modern day Dalnerechensk. In the name of self-defense, the Soviets began bombing Mishan on November 17 and mobilized  the Soviet Primorsky State Army and the 1st Pacific Rifle Infantry Division. The 1st Pacific Division and the 9th Independent Cavalry Brigade advanced towards Mishan, 40 kilometers from the border. Soviet records showed that during this battle the Chinese army suffered more than 1,500 casualties and 135 prisoners. The Soviets seized 6 machine guns, 6 mortars, 500 horses, 6 mortars, 200 horses and a large number of confidential documents. On November 23rd, 12 Soviet aircraft bombed Hailar, before capturing the city the next day.  By late November the Chinese had suffered something in the ballpark of 10,000 casualties along various fronts and an enormous amount of their equipment was taken by the Soviets. The Chinese officially reported 2000 deaths, 1000 wounded with more than 8000 captured. The Soviets reported 812 deaths, 665 wounded with under 100 missing. The Japanese had actually been quite the thorn for the Chinese during the war. They had intentionally barred Chinese forces from advancing north through their South Manchurian Railway zone, a large hindrance. Likewise the Kwantung army stationed in Liaoning were mobilizing, giving the impression they would exploit the situation at any moment.  In the face of quite a catastrophic and clear defeat, Nanjing's ministry of foreign affairs tossed a cease fire demand asking for foreign mediation. By December 3rd, Britain, France and the US asked both sides to stop the war so they could mediate a peace. The USSR rejected the participation of a third nation and suggested they could negotiate with China mono e mono. Zhang Xueliang accepted the proposal, dispatching Cai Yunsheng quickly to Shuangchengzi who signed an armistice with the Soviet representative Smanovsky. On the 16th real negotiations began and on the 22nd a draft agreement was signed. The draft stipulated both nations would re-cooperate over the Chinese Eastern Railway and that the Red Army would pull out of Manchuria as soon as both sides exchanged prisoners and officials. Thus the entire incident was resolved after humiliating China. While this all seemed completely needless, perhaps not significant, don't forget, the Japanese were watching it all happen in real time, taking notes, because they had their own ideas about Manchuria.  I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. And so the Soviets and brand new Nationalist Republic of China went to war over, honestly a petty squabble involving railway rights and earnings. It was a drop in the bucket for such a war torn nation and only further embarrassed it on the world stage. Yet the Soviets might not be the foreign nation China should be looking out for. 

Mother whispered to us about the beings on Earth she regretted creating; the ones whose only merits are their minds, but their minds rot so easily. | © 2024 by Ai Jiang. Read by Stefan Rudnicki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's a reading of an article recently published in the South China Morning Post, written by travel writer David Leffman. On his most recent trip to Yunnan to work on his upcoming book on the 1875 Margary Affair, David had a chance encounter with a taxi driver who was a sixth-generation descendent of Jiang Zonghan, someone closely related to the little-known but rather consequential event that took place in February 1875 along the Yunnan-Myanmar border. Here's a link to the article. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3272812/who-built-first-bridge-over-yangtze-river-unlikely-tale-chinese-slave-soldier-and-tycoon-jiang Website: https://www.davidleffman.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's a reading of an article recently published in the South China Morning Post, written by travel writer David Leffman. On his most recent trip to Yunnan to work on his upcoming book on the 1875 Margary Affair, David had a chance encounter with a taxi driver who was a sixth-generation descendent of Jiang Zonghan, someone closely related to the little-known but rather consequential event that took place in February 1875 along the Yunnan-Myanmar border. Here's a link to the article. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3272812/who-built-first-bridge-over-yangtze-river-unlikely-tale-chinese-slave-soldier-and-tycoon-jiang Website: https://www.davidleffman.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices