1 Coin = 4 Teslas? China's "Dragon Lady": The Empress Who Scammed an Empire.

Did you think Elon Musk was the ultimate flexer? Think again. 🚗🚀

Meet Empress Dowager Cixi. She didn't just throw a birthday party; she turned a celebration into a weapon that forced an entire empire to its knees. 👑

In this episode, He (the history geek) and Cash (the skeptical CFO) uncover the secret behind the "Wan Shou Wu Jiang" coin—a piece of metal worth 4 Teslas that couldn't buy a single dumpling.

From "Shadow Boss" politics to her "Cottagecore" aesthetic that ruled the Qing Dynasty Instagram , we break down how Cixi hacked the system to rule from behind the curtain.

👇 What we cover:

Why Cixi was the original "Influencer" of the Forbidden City.

The coin that acted as the worst credit card in history.

How art became a political loyalty test.

"Sometimes power doesn’t look like a sword. Sometimes, it looks like silk, jade… and a birthday party."

1. 0:00 Intro:What’s the most baller birthday gift you can imagine?
2. 0:59 Four Teslas for one Coin.
3. 1:42 The "Useless" Coin: Worst Credit Card in History?
4. 2:10 Cixi's 60th Birthday: A National Power Check.
5. 2:30 The Political Hack: Ruling From Behind the Curtain
6. 6:20 "Da Ya Zhai": Cixi’s Secret Cottagecore Aesthetic
Footage Disclaimer:
Some images and video clips in this episode are used under Fair Use for the purposes of education, commentary, historical analysis, and criticism, in accordance with Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.

All visual materials are used to enhance historical understanding and do not intend to infringe on original rights holders.

Copyright Disclaimer & Sources: This video is created for educational and critical commentary purposes. All footage and images used fall under Fair Use laws (Section 107 of the Copyright Act).

Footage & Image Credits:

Historical archives: [The Palace Museum/Wikimedia Commons]

Movie clips:
《The Firmament Of The Pleiades》
《Curse of the Golden Flower》
《 Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace》

AI Usage Disclosure:
This video uses AI-assisted tools for visual reconstruction, voice styling, and creative storytelling elements.
All historical research, scripting, and editorial decisions are conducted by the creators. AI is used solely as a production tool to enhance presentation.

Channel Disclosure:
This channel is independently operated, scripted, and edited by adults.
While the on-screen host may appear young, all editorial decisions, research, production, and monetization activities are managed by adults.
This channel is created for a general audience interested in history, culture, and political storytelling — not for children.

If you’re interested in Chinese history, imperial power, or cultural relics, leave a comment or check out the next episode.
New long-form videos and shorts coming soon.