The Cleaver and the Butterfly

Love Story: (1930s Wuxia Version)

A teacher falls in love with his student; a court case ensues; a great saga begins.

Nov 18 • 

Andrew Leonard

6

October 2025

When Fantasy Becomes Flesh

A story about the assassination of a warlord, with an extended cameo from KPop Demon Hunters. Climbing Mount Emei, Part IV.

Oct 8 • 

Andrew Leonard

9

2

2

September 2025

Leg Rub Transcendence

Cool footnote, massaging Mt. Emei edition.

Sep 24 • 

Andrew Leonard

10

No Ordinary Woman

Princess Pingyang and the brave politics of steppe nomad cross-fertilization. Part III of Climbing Emei Mountain.

Sep 23 • 

Andrew Leonard

12

9

1

July 2025

A Poem Turned Into a Sword

A Mobius strip of Chinese women warriors, from my living room to the Spring and Autumn Annals and back again. Climbing Emei Mountain, Part II.

Jul 11 • 

Andrew Leonard

7

3

2

June 2025

"In the Darkness, I Pour Wine"

The distance between a civilization’s peak and its collapse can be as short as a single love affair gone wrong. Climbing Emei Mountain, Part I

Jun 1 • 

Andrew Leonard

9

3

2

May 2025

Robot Invaders Are Coming For Your Sichuan Food

What could be spicer than the "industrial production" of Sichuan cuisine?

May 4 • 

Andrew Leonard

8

1

April 2025

Sichuan Pepper Tariff Trouble

So I thought this was going to be diverting.

Apr 17 • 

Andrew Leonard

16

1

3

The Dao is a Gigantic Glass of Beer

At a fraught moment, let us honor those who show us the way

Apr 7 • 

Andrew Leonard

8

4

A Lesson from the Kangxi Emperor for Robert Kennedy Jr.

In his resignation letter dated March 28, 2025, prior to lambasting FDA director Robert Kennedy Jr.

Apr 3 • 

Andrew Leonard

8

March 2025

"A Daoist ran a wine shop in Chengdu"

A footnote about everybody's favorite drunken Tang dynasty "highest level of immortal" poet

Mar 24 • 

Andrew Leonard

8

1

1

How the Internet became the Book of Changes

The conclusion of The Universal Commerce of Light

Mar 21 • 

Andrew Leonard

8

2

1