Chinese Lore Podcast

Gods 032: Changes of Heart

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Grand Tutor Wen sends an army West to teach Jiang Ziya and company a lesson about offering sanctuary to rebels.

Gods 031: Finding A Perch

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Flying Tiger and company continue the worst family road trip ever.

Gods 030: Daddy Issues

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Flying Tiger faces his most daunting foe yet on his flight West: his father.

Gods 029: Revived, Reunited

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s focus more on who rescued whom and less on who kidnapped whose baby, said the Daoist master.

Gods 028: Rage and Regret

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Grand Tutor Wen returns from another campaign and asks King Zhou, "Oh what the heck did  you do now?!"

Gods 027: Family Feud

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A character faces a tough choice: Tick off his ancestors, or tick off everyone else.

Gods 026: Law and Disorder

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Grand Tutor Wen makes some progress on restoring order at court. Let's see how long that lasts.

Gods 025: Heart to Heart

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

King Zhou sinks further into depravity, until the party comes to a screeching halt.

Gods 024: Cloak and Dagger

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

King Zhou gets a new pleasure terrace, a party with gods, and a comfy new article of clothing.

Gods 023: Cribbing from the Classics

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ji Chang and his ministers come perilously close to plagiarism in their search for a capable adviser.

Gods 022: Flying Bear

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ji Chang undertakes a monumental construction project of his own and dreams about airborne mythical creatures.

Gods 021: Bringing the Thunder

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ji Chang gets his own X-man escort while trying to evade the king’s henchies.

Gods 020: Flashback

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We find out how Ji Chang's freedom was won, or bought.

Gods 019: Monkey Business

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An alleged simian assassination attempt is only a minor part of the insanity at court this week.

Gods 018: Hand-Eye Coordination

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another Shang official discovers the price of offering loyal advice to the king.

Gods 017: Serpents’ Lair

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?

Gods 016: Outrageous Fortunes

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Jiang Ziya finally discovers something he's good at, and of course it lands him in trouble.

Gods 015: Going into Industry

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A major character explores a career change after 40 years cultivating his Dao.

Gods 014: Family Feud

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nezha "returns his flesh and blood" to his parents, in the most literal way.

Gods 013: Slings and Arrows

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Li Jing gets another visit from an angry neighbor about his troublesome son.

Gods 012: Sea of Trouble

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A dragon king tells the neighbor's punk kid to turn it down, with unforeseen consequences.

Gods 011: Superstition

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ji Chang makes the trouble he predicted for himself come true by predicting trouble for others.

Gods 010: T.G.I.F

26 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The ministers at the Shang court wrap up a rather intense work week, and King Zhou is still just getting started.

Gods 009: Fugitives

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Left alone by their rescuers, the two princes set out on their quest to raise armies to avenge their mother.

Gods 008: Broken Nest

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The death of the queen proves to be just the start of the day's drama.

Gods 007: A Poke in the Eye

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hell hath no fury like a fox demon scorned.

Gods 006: Creative Cruelty

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The tension between court ministers and the king's new lover comes to a boil.

Gods 005: Foxy Lady

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Daji makes quite the first impression on the king, much to his ministers' chagrin.

Gods 004: Father of the Year

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With the enemy at his gates, Su Hu decides to lay the blame where it belongs -- on the teenage daughter who has not even appeared in the story yet.

Gods 003: Rivers of Blood

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The upstart marquis Su Hu braces for the king’s wrath.

Gods 002: Too Hot to Trot

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our story opens with a lesson in governing 101: Do not ogle creation goddesses through poem.

Gods 001: Introduction

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A brief overview of the next novel I’m covering, a leading work in the genre of gods and demons fiction.

Water Margin 135: Next

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Wrapping up the Water Margin Podcast and revealing my next project.

Water Margin 134: Epilogue

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our heroes go their separate ways, and then gather again … sort of.

Water Margin 133: Parting

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Song Jiang continues his journey back to the capital, but how many of his brothers are coming with him?

Water Margin 132: Tides

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fang La makes a desperate last stand against the Song forces.

Water Margin 131: Pincer

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With the end of the campaign within reach, Song Jiang’s forces converge on the rebels’ palace.

Water Margin 130: Dragon

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eager to avenge more slain comrades, Song Jiang charges headlong into trouble.

Water Margin 129: Exposed

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Song Jiang suffers setbacks on land and water, but his enemy isn’t doing any better.

Water Margin 128: Possessed

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Song Jiang gets a heaven-sent opportunity, while the rebel emperor gets some help of his own.

Water Margin 127: Losses

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Song Jiang gets another mixed bag of heartbreaks and victories.

Water Margin 126: Lake

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the naval chieftains undertakes a dangerous nighttime mission.

Water Margin 125: Outlaws

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A few of our heroes run into some guys who remind them of how they used to be.

Water Margin 124: Grief

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Song Jiang encounters more victories and more losses as his army pushes south.

Water Margin 123: Crossing

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A fortuitous encounter on the river sets up a cunning plan by Song Jiang.

Water Margin 122: Rebels

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To occupy his gang’s minds with something other than rebellion, Song Jiang volunteers to go put down a rebellion.

Water Margin 121: Geese

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lu Zhishen revisits his old haunts, while Song Jiang waxes poetic about the most Confucian birds.

Water Margin 120: Peace

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Middle Kingdom overfloweth with Sinocentrism as Song Jiang and company bring to heel the barbarians who reside in the desolate desert outpost of [...

Water Margin 119: Zodiac

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On the brink of total victory, Song Jiang runs into a string of unexpected setbacks.

Water Margin 118: Formations

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Song Jiang and the Liao commander’s son engage in a battle of the nerds.

Water Margin Supplemental Episode 006: Travel

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A look at the who, what, where, why, and how of Song Dynasty travel.

Water Margin 117: Canyon

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lu Junyi finds himself stuck between a rock and more rocks.

Water Margin 116: Defection

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An envoy from the Liao tries to convince Song Jiang and his men to join the Great Resignation.

Water Margin 115: Conquest

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Despite a few hiccups, our heroes stay on the offensive against the Liao.

Water Margin 114: Merit

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After their untimely run-in with an embezzling government representative, Song Jiang and company are under pressure to deliver some quick results in t...

Water Margin 113: Sale

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The bandits begin their new life as law-abiding subjects by selling off their loot.

Water Margin 112: Amnesty

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The imperial court hopes the third time is the charm when it comes to making nice with the bandits.

Water Margin 111: Audience

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yan Qing offers a little eye candy to the emperor’s mistress in exchange for her help.

Water Margin 110: VIP

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The bandits roll out the red carpet, and you won’t believe who’s coming to dinner.

Water Margin 109: Deceit

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Prospects of peace ride on the all-important question: Is that a comma or a period?

Water Margin 108: Burned

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

YOU SUNK MY BATTLESHIP! (And torched my fleet and killed my generals and burned my camp and …)

Water Margin 107: Coverup

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You just lost 60,000 men on your campaign? What are you going to tell the emperor? Wait … not telling him is actually an option?

Water Margin 106: War

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The hawks at court get their way, as a huge imperial force descends on Liangshan.

Water Margin Supplemental Episode 005: Monastery

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A dive into the minutiae of monastic life.

Water Margin 105: Wine

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We secretly replaced our heroes’ imperial wine with swamp water. Let’s see if they … oh crap they totally noticed!

Water Margin 104: Wrestling

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After delivering justice on heaven’s behalf in his usual manner at the fair, Li Kui dabbles in a more comical delivery of justice at a nearby county...

Water Margin 103: Heads

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Li Kui and Song Jiang wagered heads, and heads they shall have.

Water Margin 102: Ghosts

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On his way home after spreading holiday cheers in the capital, Li Kui decides to do some good deeds for civilians.

Water Margin 101: Capital

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Song Jiang goes to the capital to partake in the holiday festivities, and a little extracurricular activity.

Water Margin 100: Prayer

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our heroes pray to heaven for a sign, and heaven answers in the most literal way possible.

Water Margin 099: Stoned

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Liangshan sets its sights on another town that was just minding its own business, but a local general gives the bandits a literal bloody nose.

Water Margin 098: Spears

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From attacking innocent towns to abducting women whose family you just slaughtered, it’s another honor-filled adventure for the heroes of Liangshan....

Water Margin 097: Truce

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The bandits and their despised foes parley for peace.

Water Margin 096: Nemesis

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our heroes get back to settling old scores and unfinished business.

Water Margin 095: Aftermath

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The imperial court prepares a retaliatory strike against Liangshan, while Li Kui goes rogue.

Water Margin 094: Festival

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The bandits try one more time to spring Lu Junyi from jail, aided by some galaxy-brain holiday planning from the authorities.

Water Margin 093: Healer

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To have friends come from afar, is it not a joy? If your friend is here to recruit you to Liangshan, then no.

Water Margin 092: Snow

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Winter is coming again for Daming Prefecture.

Water Margin 091: Saber

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The bandits find themselves in trouble when a descendant of the god of war comes knocking on their door.

Water Margin 090: Solo

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A daring rescue runs into the obstacle of not having Google Maps.

Water Margin 089: Haggle

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lu Junyi’s jailer discovers that there IS such a thing as having too much money shoved in your face.

Water Margin 088: Betrayal

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lu Junyi discovers that there IS such a thing as too much feasting.

Water Margin 087: Trap

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lu Junyi decides to take a road trip, and everyone’s got a bad feeling about it, except him.

Water Margin 086: Fate

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Big changes are afoot on Liangshan.

Water Margin 085: Disrespect

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No sooner had our heroes put down one group of upstarts did they discover another group that’s just asking for it.

Water Margin 084: Loan

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Song Jiang flags down a passing court official and very nicely asks for a favor.

Water Margin 083: United

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Huyan Zhuo gets another crack at the Liangshan bandits, and a whole gaggle of other outlaws.

Water Margin 082: Assemble

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Huyan Zhuo’s simple quest for revenge turns into three side quests against leveled-up enemies.

Water Margin 081: Search

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Xu Ning chases after his lost property and actually catches up with the thief.

Water Margin 080: Armor

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The outlaws run up against a formidable foe and decide they need to “recruit” some more help.

Water Margin 079: Well

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After a successful siege, the bandits go in search of the man they had come to save.

Water Margin Supplemental Episode 004: Food

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A look at food and drinks during the Northern Song.

Water Margin 078: Sorcerers

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Li Kui gets put in timeout and learns a lesson about messing with Daoist priests.

Water Margin 077: Magic

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Li Kui finds himself up to his neck in Daoist shenanigans.

Water Margin 076: Immunity

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As it turns out, iron-pledge guarantees from long-dead emperors do not count for as much as everyone thought.

Water Margin 075: Child

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The outlaws return to their tried-and-true recruitment tactics, and take it maybe just a step too far.

Water Margin 074: Punished

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In a shocking twist, the ancient Chinese legal system delivers some semblance of justice and punishes constable violence, and all it took was sleeping...

Water Margin 073: Sack

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Xie brothers’ relatives mount their jail break, and then we rejoin the Liangshan outlaws outside the Zhu Family Manor.

Water Margin 072: Family

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Some relatives embarrass you at weddings, some get into political arguments at the holiday dinner table, and some threaten to fight you to the death i...

Water Margin 071: Rematch

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After getting a bloody nose in their initial attack, the Liangshan forces take another crack at razing the Zhu Family Manor.