Chinese Lore Podcast
Episodes
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: Itās 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: Goinā Down the Only Road Iāve 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 āThreeā 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 Iām 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, Letās 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 LiangĀ sendsĀ a 70-something generalĀ 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 moreĀ 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 Doesnāt Kill You Around Here?
01 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Zhuge Liang's army marches deeper into the heart of darkness andĀ 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: Canāt 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 warhorsesĀ 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, LĆ¼ 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 YuĀ bearing down on a couple of his key cities, Cao Cao dispatches a general who pledges his life to victory andĀ 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 Didnāt 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 Caoās River of Woe
03 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Cao Cao can't even get a good night's sleep as heĀ 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 toĀ 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 inĀ 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 everyoneĀ 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,Ā 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 Knifeās 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 ChaoĀ collide in a battle for the ages.
Announcement 2016-06-29: 100th Episode
29 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
I'm planning toĀ make the 100th episode a Q&A session, so send in your questions toĀ [email protected]Ā 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 pauseĀ 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 discoversĀ thatĀ all you need to do to get the Riverlands' finestĀ to switch sides is to say please.
3 Kingdoms 079: Shouldāve Heeded the Warning Signs
06 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Just as numerous omens portended, disaster strikes Liu Bei'sĀ 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 CaoĀ 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, overflowingĀ brotherly affection is expressed through deception in the East and sword dances in the West.
3 Kingdoms 075: Treason: Itās 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 Caoās latest victory triggers a chain reactionĀ 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 inĀ Ma Chaoās inner circle.
3 Kingdoms 072: A Close Shave for Cao Cao
05 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Cao Caoās openingĀ rounds against Ma Chao get a little hairy.
3 Kingdoms 071: Loose Lips and Loose Women
22 Mar 2016
Contributed by Lukas
AnotherĀ 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 devisesĀ yet again schemeĀ to take Jing Province, because heās a glutton for punishment.
3 Kingdoms 068: Escape from Dongwu
23 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Liu Bei and his new wife try to fleeĀ 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 becomesĀ real.
3 Kingdoms 066: One Wedding and Three Funerals
09 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
ROTK goes in search of higher TV ratings: SeveralĀ role players get killed off, and we haveĀ a surpriseĀ marriage proposal.
3 Kingdoms 065: Oldie but Goodie
26 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
After seeing his colleagues each conquerĀ a county, Guan Yu wants in on the action, but an āold pawnāĀ 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 hisĀ haggard troopsĀ 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: Whoās Laughing Now?
22 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The Battle of Red Cliffs goesĀ badly for Cao Cao, butĀ he still finds reasons to feel smug, much to his menās chagrin.
3 Kingdoms 060: Blowinā in the Wind
15 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
After Zhuge Liang moves heaven and earth, Zhou Yu and Liu Bei move theirĀ troops into position for the coming battle.
3 Kingdoms 059: Cao Cao the Poet
01 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Delighted by his invincible fleet and moved by the scenery, Cao Cao shows off his literary chops ā¦ until someone decided to play critic.
3 Kingdoms 058: Defections and Deceptions
24 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Zhou Yu and a coupleĀ other wise men of Dongwu spin an elaborate ruseĀ for Cao Cao to faceplantĀ into.
3 Kingdoms 057: Strawman Solution
17 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Zhou Yu presentsĀ Zhuge Liang with an invented problem. Zhuge Liang delivers an outside-the-box answer.
3 Kingdoms 056: To Have Friends Coming In from Afar, How Delightful
03 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Zhou Yu gets visits from Liu Bei and an old school chum, and he cannotĀ not be happier to see them.
3 Kingdoms 055: The Best of Frenemies
27 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Sun Quan formally declares war on Cao Cao, while his commander Zhou Yu secretly declares war on theirĀ supposed allies.
3 Kingdoms 054: A Bridge Too Far
20 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Zhuge Liang has a little homonymical fun with Zhou Yu as they discuss whether the Southlands should fight or submit to Cao Cao.
3 Kingdoms 053: I Find Your Argument Illogical!
06 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
When Zhuge Liang finds himself in the same room as theĀ Southlandsā foremost academics, the gloves come off and jabs fly. Verbal jabs, of course.
3 Kingdoms 052: Zhang Feiās Killer Bluff
29 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Zhang Feiās cunning isĀ the only things standing between Liu Bei and Cao Caoās army. Well, thatĀ and his really loud, really deadlyĀ voice.
3 Kingdoms 051: Zhao Yun Kicks Butt
22 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
All hell breaks loose as Cao Caoās troops catch up toĀ Liu Bei. Out of this hell ridesĀ his general Zhao Yun, with a precious package strapped to hi...
3 Kingdoms 050: Itās Just A Flesh Wound
08 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Zhuge Liang burns another detachment of Cao Caoās troops, but there are plenty more where thatĀ came from.