Chinese Lore Podcast

3 Kingdoms 146: Pyrrhic Victory

05 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Jiang Wei finally gets the better of Deng Ai, but even that ends up backfiring.

3 Kingdoms 145: Even More Chaos at Court

19 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Discord between lord and vassal simmers in the court of Shu, while things boil over in the court of Wei.

3 Kingdoms 144: Chaos at Court

12 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

While the Shu and Wei continue to slug it out in the West, the kingdom of Wu deals with internal unrest at the highest level.

3 Kingdoms 143: How the Southeast Was Won, Again

05 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sima Zhao takes the emperor on a buddy road trip to put down another insurgence in a particularly troublesome part of the kingdom.

3 Kingdoms 142: Mildly Wild West

22 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Oh look: Another Northern campaign by the kingdom of Shu. Yawn.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 015: Zhuge Liang, Fact and Fiction

17 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We say so long to the novel's pivotal player and wonder if he was really the genius the book made him out to be.

3 Kingdoms 141: I Would Give My Left Eye for Google Maps!

15 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A couple generals down South stir up trouble for Sima Shi. Now if only their forces knew the way to his camp ....

3 Kingdoms 140: A Familiar Script

08 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Jiang Wei's Northern invasion meets the same fate as Zhuge Liang's, while Sima Shi borrows a few pages from Cao Cao's playbook for how to deal with im...

3 Kingdoms 139: Chaos in the South

25 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Things go well for the kingdom of Wu and its political leader ... until they bite off more than they can chew.

3 Kingdoms 138: North by Northwest

18 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Aided by an unexpected defection, Jiang Wei restarts the Northern campaigns by setting his sights first on the Northwest.

3 Kingdoms 137: Coups Are Back in Vogue

11 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a while since someone made a play to seize power from within. That changes this week.

3 Kingdoms 136: King in the North

27 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A new threat emerges on Wei's northeastern borders, and he is just as bad at battle strategy as Jon Snow.

3 Kingdoms 135: Pursuit of Immortality

20 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

While Zhuge Liang sails off into eternal fame, the Wei emperor Cao Rui goes in search of eternal youth.

3 Kingdoms 134: The Shu Hits the Fan

13 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The death of its indispensable man is just the start of the Riverlands' troubles.

3 Kingdoms 133: When It Rains ...

30 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A stunning turn of events in the showdown between Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi.

3 Kingdoms 132: Intellectual Property Theft Does Not Pay

23 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Again and again, Sima Yi is made to rue the day he stole Zhuge Liang's invention.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 014: It’s Just A Flesh Wound

18 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We delve into the story of the one-armed assassin and the guy who kicked his butt AFTER being assassinated.

3 Kingdoms 131: Wooden Oxens, Gliding Horses, and Copycats

16 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi match wits over the latest in wheelbarro

3 Kingdoms 130: Goin’ Down the Only Road I’ve Ever Known

02 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

After another promising Northern campaign gets short-circuited, Zhuge Liang prays to his former lord for the strength to carry on, because he's made u...

3 Kingdoms 129: You Called Me Back for This?!!

25 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Just as he was getting into a groove, Zhuge Liang is rudely interrupted in the field by an urgent dispatch from his emperor.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 013: Getting Sneaky

20 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A brief explanation of the story behind the most famous secret crossing in Chinese history.

3 Kingdoms 128: Smackdowns and Smack Talk

18 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

You've seen Zhuge Liang kill someone with just his tongue. Now watch him kill someone with the written word.

3 Kingdoms 127: A Familiar Script

04 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang's third Northern expedition gets off to a promising start, but what else is new?

3 Kingdoms 126: Putting the ”Three” in Three Kingdoms

28 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that we had actually been rolling with just two official kingdoms all this time? Well, Sun Quan will fix that this week.

3 Kingdoms 125: Smoke and Mirrors

21 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang toys with Cao Zhen time and again on his second Northern expedition.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 012: Liu Bei, Fact and Fiction

09 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We delve into the life and career of the real Liu Bei to see if he is really as virtuous as the novel made him out to be (spoiler alert: No one can be...

3 Kingdoms 124: Losing An Arm and A Pillar

07 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang prepares to take another shot at Wei, but one old friend will not be joining him.

3 Kingdoms 123: The Price of Ignoring Good Advice

31 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

While Zhuge Liang picks up the pieces after his aborted Northern campaign, a Wei commander falls for a trick from the South.

3 Kingdoms 122: If You Know that I Know that You Know that I’m Bluffing ...

24 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

When his campaign takes a drastic turn for the worse, Zhuge Liang is forced to resort to a desperate gamble.

3 Kingdoms 121: The Worst-Kept Secret

10 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Meng Da totally misses the point of a SECRET rebellion. Can Zhuge Liang's advice help him pull it off anyway?

3 Kingdoms 120: The Enemy Within

03 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

While the Wei forces have their hands full with Zhuge Liang along the border, a new threat lurks deep inside their territory

3 Kingdoms 119: Gluttons for Punishment

26 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Wei forces sent to stop Zhuge Liang first try to out-talk him, and then try again to outsmart him.

3 Kingdoms 118: Yes, Let’s Try to Outsmart Zhuge Liang

12 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Matching wits with Zhuge Liang sounds like a horrible idea, but that won't stop multiple Wei officers from trying.

3 Kingdoms 117: Go North, Old Man

05 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang sends a 70-something general and a tax collector to lead the way for his Northern expedition.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 011: Zhang Fei, Fact and Fiction

31 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We dive into the differences between the fictional and real-life Zhang Fei and ask, "Who really whipped that corrupt bribe-seeking government official...

3 Kingdoms 116: Haute Cuisine with Zhuge Liang

29 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

How do you appease the angry souls of the damned? Feed them buns that look like human heads and tell them death is no escape from imperial subjugation...

3 Kingdoms 115: Stop ... Being ... So ... Nice!

15 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

After a couple more displays of over-the-top kindness, imperial subjugation is starting to look kind of decent after all for Meng Huo.

3 Kingdoms 114: Homewreckers

08 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang strolls into Meng Huo's house and makes himself at home.

3 Kingdoms 113: So What Doesn’t Kill You Around Here?

01 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang's army marches deeper into the heart of darkness and forgets to read the part in the travel guide about bringing bottled water.

3 Kingdoms 112: Gift-Wrapped Victories

17 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang catches Meng Huo twice more with hardly any effort.

3 Kingdoms 111: Catch and Release

10 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang continues his campaign to win not only battles, but also barbarian hearts and minds.

3 Kingdoms 110: That Was Easy

03 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang barely breaks a sweat while cruising through level 1 of his Southwestern quest.

3 Kingdoms 109: Troublesome Neighbors

20 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

While Shu and Wu become best buds again, trouble pops up from the North and the Southwest.

3 Kingdoms 108: Battle of the Nerds

13 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

An episode that starts with five armies bearing down on Shu somehow ends with nothing more than a showdown between pedants at a banquet.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 010: Cao Cao, Fact and Fiction

08 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A huge episode where we bid farewell to our favorite villain by delving into his real-life counterpart's life, career, and legacy.

3 Kingdoms 107: Doleful, Doh-ful, and Du Fu

06 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Liu Bei gets sad, Cao Pi botches an invasion, and we read a poem by one of China's greatest poets.

3 Kingdoms 106: Do I Smell Smoke?

20 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The tide of battle -- and history -- turns in the span of one night.

3 Kingdoms 105: Can’t Get No Respect

13 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In his most desperate hour, Sun Quan puts his faith in Lu Xun, but will his officers obey orders from a man they see as a pedant and a coward?

3 Kingdoms 104: Out with the Old, In with the New

06 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Liu Bei's team of old warhorses takes another hit, but two young stallions are waiting in the wings. This episode is brought to you by special guest ...

3 Kingdoms 103: See, What Happened Was ...

23 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

With Liu Bei bearing down on them, the Southlands try to tell him that they didn't really mean to kill Guan Yu; it was all a simple misunderstanding. ...

3 Kingdoms 102: Oh Great, Who Died Now?

16 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

No, not him, too!! Another major character bites the dust.

3 Kingdoms 101: The Most Boring Episode

09 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

You would think the end of a 400-year dynasty would have more action than this, but it's all just decrees, counter-decrees, speeches, humble brags, an...

3 Kingdoms 100: Cao Zhi and the Beanstalk

26 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Cao Cao's third son finds out what passes for brotherly love in his family.

3 Kingdoms 099: Tears for a Villain

19 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Cao Cao grapples with mortality and legacy.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 009: Guan Yu, Fact and Fiction

14 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We bid farewell to the Lord of the Beautiful Beard and talk about that time when Cao Cao stole the woman Guan Yu was going to steal from someone else.

3 Kingdoms 098: Back from the Dead

12 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Guan Yu's ghost finds inner peace ... and then starts killing and spooking people.

3 Kingdoms 097: War of Attrition

28 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Defeated and leaking troops by the minute, Guan Yu makes a desperate dash for safety.

3 Kingdoms 096: Sneak Attacks

21 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

While Guan Yu is busy fighting Cao Cao's forces, Lü Meng and Dongwu try to catch him unawares.

3 Kingdoms 095: Anesthesia Is for Wusses

14 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After an arrow causes a festering wound, Guan Yu signs up for a bleeding-edge surgical operation.

3 Kingdoms 094: Bringing a Coffin to a Knife Fight

31 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

With Guan Yu bearing down on a couple of his key cities, Cao Cao dispatches a general who pledges his life to victory and shows he means it.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental 008: Hands Off My Shortbread

27 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We delve into the relationship between Cao Cao and his secretary Yang Xiu, a man with a keen understanding of his boss's mind ... and a death wish.

3 Kingdoms 093: The Man Who Didn’t Want to Be King

24 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After punching Cao Cao in the mouth, Liu Bei tries his best to keep his men from declaring him king, to no avail.

3 Kingdoms 100th Episode Q&A

17 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We've made it to 100 episodes! So let's throw it open to some questions.

3 Kingdoms 092: Cao Cao’s River of Woe

03 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Cao Cao can't even get a good night's sleep as he tries to dislodge Liu Bei from the banks of the Han River.

3 Kingdoms 091: Mighty Man of Power

26 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Huang Zhong performs more heroic deeds, then Zhao Yun says to Cao Cao, "Hey, remember me?"

3 Kingdoms 090: Take That, Young Punks!

19 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

With the battle for Hanzhong in full swing, Liu Bei sends a senior citizen to chase off some rowdy kids.

3 Kingdoms 089: They Chose ... Poorly

05 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

You are a court official. Cao Cao just put down a coup, and now he's asking whether you helped put out the fire started by the rebels or just stayed h...

3 Kingdoms 088: Digression and Prognostications

29 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We make virtually no progress in the narrative this week as we get tangled up in mysticism, superstition, and oh yeah, another conspiracy to overthro...

3 Kingdoms 087: Cuts Like A Knife ... and Many Other Weapons

22 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After a general risks life and limb to save him, Sun Quan makes sure everyone appreciates the sacrifice.

3 Kingdoms 086: You Killed My Father, Prepare to ... Deal with My Butthurt Tantrums

08 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Sun Quan tries to wrestle some territory away from Cao Cao, while at the same time playing peacemaker between two of his own officers.

3 Kingdoms 085: Another One Bites the Dust

01 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Another foe bows to Cao Cao's might.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 007: Zhou Yu, Fact and Fiction

27 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A long overdue farewell to Dongwu's military genius, who had the misfortune of being alive in the time of Zhuge Liang. Or at least, that's how the nov...

3 Kingdoms 084: On A Knife’s Edge

25 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Guan Yu brings a really big knife to a land dispute.

3 Kingdoms 083: I.O.U.; I.O.U. Not

11 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Liu Bei comes into some new possessions, and then tries to wiggle out of having to pay back his creditors in Dongwu.

3 Kingdoms 082: Dueling Tigers

04 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Zhang Fei and Ma Chao collide in a battle for the ages.

Announcement 2016-06-29: 100th Episode

29 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I'm planning to make the 100th episode a Q&A session, so send in your questions to [email protected] by September 30, 2016.

3 Kingdoms 081: Honorable Men Slaughtering Women and Children

27 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Liu Zhang looks for outside help to deal with the last outside help he brought in, while we hit pause to catch up with Ma Chao and his misadventures.

3 Kingdoms 080: Never Surrender! ... Until They Ask Nicely

13 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Zhang Fei discovers that all you need to do to get the Riverlands' finest to switch sides is to say please.

3 Kingdoms 079: Should’ve Heeded the Warning Signs

06 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Just as numerous omens portended, disaster strikes Liu Bei's campaign in the Riverlands.

3 Kingdoms 078: The Die Is Cast

30 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Having passed the point of no return, Liu Bei goes a-conquerin' in the Riverlands.

3 Kingdoms 077: Land of the Rising Sun

16 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Cao Cao gets a promotion, nine very nice pieces of swag, and a hint about Sun Quan's imperial destiny.

3 Kingdoms 076: Thanks Bro

09 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, overflowing brotherly affection is expressed through deception in the East and sword dances in the West.

3 Kingdoms 075: Treason: It’s the Honorable Thing to Do

03 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Zhang Song and his friend decide that honor and ethics demand that they betray their master and give his land to Liu Bei.

3 Kingdoms 074: Going West

19 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Cao Cao’s latest victory triggers a chain reaction in the western reaches of empire.

3 Kingdoms 073: The Brush Is Mightier Than the Sword

12 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

With a few strokes of his brush, Cao Cao sows dissent in Ma Chao’s inner circle.

3 Kingdoms 072: A Close Shave for Cao Cao

05 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Cao Cao’s opening rounds against Ma Chao get a little hairy.

3 Kingdoms 071: Loose Lips and Loose Women

22 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Another week, another conspiracy against Cao Cao, and another evil-woman trope.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 006: Red Cliff, Fact and Fiction

18 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A look at the most legendary battle of the novel and how the fictional account differs from the real showdown.

3 Kingdoms 070: Weeping Dragon, Drunken Phoenix

15 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Zhuge Liang delivers a heartfelt eulogy for a dearly departed friend, while Pang Tong shows how to advance your career by not doing your job.

3 Kingdoms 069: Try, Try, and Try Again

08 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Zhou Yu devises yet again scheme to take Jing Province, because he’s a glutton for punishment.

3 Kingdoms 068: Escape from Dongwu

23 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Liu Bei and his new wife try to flee from the murderously angry clutches of Sun Quan and Zhou Yu.

3 Kingdoms 067: Welcome to the Family

16 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Sun Quan and Liu Bei are now brothers-in-law as the fake wedding becomes real.

3 Kingdoms 066: One Wedding and Three Funerals

09 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

ROTK goes in search of higher TV ratings: Several role players get killed off, and we have a surprise marriage proposal.

3 Kingdoms 065: Oldie but Goodie

26 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After seeing his colleagues each conquer a county, Guan Yu wants in on the action, but an “old pawn” stands in his way.

3 Kingdoms 064: Liu Bei Builds His Base

19 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

While Dongwu and Cao Cao are busy fighting each other, Liu Bei expands his sphere of influence.

3 Kingdoms 063: Circle of Lies

12 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Zhou Yu fools Cao Ren; Cao Ren fools Zhou Yu; Zhou Yu fools Cao Ren again; Zhuge Liang fools everyone; Zhou Yu bursts a blood vessel.

3 Kingdoms 062: Close Encounters of the Guan Yu Kind

29 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Routed and trapped, Cao Cao and his haggard troops throw themselves at the mercy of the man blocking their path.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 005: Legendary Advisers

26 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A little Christmas morning stocking stuffer: A look at some of the guys that Zhuge Liang keeps getting compared to.

3 Kingdoms 061: Who’s Laughing Now?

22 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

The Battle of Red Cliffs goes badly for Cao Cao, but he still finds reasons to feel smug, much to his men’s chagrin.

3 Kingdoms 060: Blowin’ in the Wind

15 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

After Zhuge Liang moves heaven and earth, Zhou Yu and Liu Bei move their troops into position for the coming battle.