Podcasts by Romance of the Three Kingdoms Podcast
A retelling of the classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms in a way that’s more accessible to a Western audience. See 3kingdomspodcast.com for more.
Further podcasts by John Zhu
Podcast on the topic Geschichte
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Announcement: ”Investiture of the Gods” Launched from 2022-10-17T04:30
Hi everyone. I want to let you know that I have posted the first episodes of Investiture of the Gods on the Chinese Lore Podcast. If you are not yet subscribed to that show, go to recent conversation with Jeremy Bai, a translator and writer focusing on Chin...
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<h5 class="card-title"><a href="/podcast/romance-of-the-three-kingdoms-podcast/announcement-may-24-live-interview/">Announcement: May 24 Live Interview</a><small> from 2022-05-14T11:45:30</small></h5>
<p class="card-text"><p>Hi everyone. I want to let you know that on May 24, I will be part of a panel of Asian podcasters on Podbean’s Storytelling Podcast Week Live show. It’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Herit...</p>
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<h5 class="card-title"><a href="/podcast/romance-of-the-three-kingdoms-podcast/announcement-interview-on-asian-fantasy-fiction-podcast/">Announcement: Interview on Asian Fantasy Fiction Podcast</a><small> from 2021-06-18T01:58:53</small></h5>
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Announcement: 2 Podcast Interviews from 2020-08-23T18:37:30
I recently did two interviews on other podcasts. The first is the Manda...
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Announcement: Ask Me Anything on Dec. 16 from 2019-11-22T00:25:52
If you have questions about the how's and why's of this podcast, or my thoughts on podcasting in general, post them at the Ask Me Anything hosted by WhatPods on December 16 at Invicta History on three videos about Three Kingdoms warlords. The videos ...
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<h5 class="card-title"><a href="/podcast/romance-of-the-three-kingdoms-podcast/update-videos-on-three-kingdoms-warlords/">Update: Videos on Three Kingdoms Warlords</a><small> from 2019-05-19T22:02:14</small></h5>
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Update: Appearance on "Total War" Podcast from 2019-05-01T22:22:41
Back in February, I took part in a podcast conversation on the Invicta History YouTube channel with the host, Julien, and Peter Stewart, a writer from the team producing the coming “Total War: T...
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Update: Water Margin Podcast Launch; Three Kingdoms Miscellany from 2019-01-07T06:00
An announcement about my new podcast project, and an update on a couple things I've been doing with the Three Kingdoms Podcast.
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3 Kingdoms 154: Looking Back, Looking Ahead from 2018-05-14T07:00
A reflection on this four-year ride, and a glimpse of things to come.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 020: Carousel of Characters from 2018-05-09T07:00
A rapid-fire look at a bunch of supporting players in the novel.
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3 Kingdoms 153: Podcasts Under Heaven … from 2018-05-07T07:00
One hundred and fifty-three episodes later, we have finally reached the “long divided, must unite” part of the novel.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 019: Food from 2018-05-02T07:00
A look at what they ate and drank during the Three Kingdoms era.
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3 Kingdoms 152: Mutual Loathing and Admiration from 2018-04-30T07:00
While their respective states are sizing each other up for conquest, the Jin and Wu commanders at the borders are getting along famously.
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3 Kingdoms 151: How Quickly They Forget from 2018-04-16T07:00
Sure I just lost my kingdom, but look at all the fun stuff they have in the Wei capital!
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 018: Sima Yi, Fact and Fiction from 2018-04-12T07:00
We look at the architect of the Sima clan's rise to power.
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3 Kingdoms 150: Ulterior Motives from 2018-04-09T07:00
Everyone has a hidden agenda, except maybe for the guy suspected of hatching an insurrection. (Note: Special guest narrator this week)
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3 Kingdoms 149: We Ain't No Fortunate Sons from 2018-04-02T07:00
A Shu commander tries to live up to his father's legacy, while a Shu prince refuses to follow his father's example.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 017: Sun Quan, Fact and Fiction from 2018-03-28T07:00
A dive into the real life of the guy who ran the family business for 50-plus years.
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3 Kingdoms 148: Ain't No Mountain High Enough from 2018-03-19T07:00
While Jiang Wei scrambles to mount a last-ditch defense, his old nemesis searches for a way to go around his roadblock.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 016: Learning to Delegate from 2018-03-14T07:00
Meet two statesmen who really mastered the art of saying, "That's not in my job description."
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3 Kingdoms 147: The Empire Strikes Back from 2018-03-12T07:00
Tired of Shu's perpetual encroachment on its borders, Wei decides to take the fight to its nemesis.
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3 Kingdoms 146: Pyrrhic Victory from 2018-03-05T06:00
Jiang Wei finally gets the better of Deng Ai, but even that ends up backfiring.
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3 Kingdoms 145: Even More Chaos at Court from 2018-02-19T06:00
Discord between lord and vassal simmers in the court of Shu, while things boil over in the court of Wei.
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3 Kingdoms 144: Chaos at Court from 2018-02-12T06:00
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.
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3 Kingdoms 143: How the Southeast Was Won, Again from 2018-02-05T06:00
Sima Zhao takes the emperor on a buddy road trip to put down another insurgence in a particularly troublesome part of the kingdom.
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3 Kingdoms 142: Mildly Wild West from 2018-01-22T06:00
Oh look: Another Northern campaign by the kingdom of Shu. Yawn.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 015: Zhuge Liang, Fact and Fiction from 2018-01-17T06:00
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.
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3 Kingdoms 141: I Would Give My Left Eye for Google Maps! from 2018-01-15T06:00
A couple generals down South stir up trouble for Sima Shi. Now if only their forces knew the way to his camp ....
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3 Kingdoms 140: A Familiar Script from 2018-01-08T06:00
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 imperial puppets who don't know their place.
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3 Kingdoms 139: Chaos in the South from 2017-12-25T06:00
Things go well for the kingdom of Wu and its political leader ... until they bite off more than they can chew.
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3 Kingdoms 138: North by Northwest from 2017-12-18T06:00
Aided by an unexpected defection, Jiang Wei restarts the Northern campaigns by setting his sights first on the Northwest.
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3 Kingdoms 137: Coups Are Back in Vogue from 2017-12-11T06:00
It's been a while since someone made a play to seize power from within. That changes this week.
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3 Kingdoms 136: King in the North from 2017-11-27T06:00
A new threat emerges on Wei's northeastern borders, and he is just as bad at battle strategy as Jon Snow.
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3 Kingdoms 135: Pursuit of Immortality from 2017-11-20T06:00
While Zhuge Liang sails off into eternal fame, the Wei emperor Cao Rui goes in search of eternal youth.
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3 Kingdoms 134: The Shu Hits the Fan from 2017-11-13T06:00
The death of its indispensable man is just the start of the Riverlands' troubles.
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3 Kingdoms 133: When It Rains ... from 2017-10-30T07:00
A stunning turn of events in the showdown between Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi.
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3 Kingdoms 132: Intellectual Property Theft Does Not Pay from 2017-10-23T07:00
Again and again, Sima Yi is made to rue the day he stole Zhuge Liang's invention.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 014: It's Just A Flesh Wound from 2017-10-18T07:00
We delve into the story of the one-armed assassin and the guy who kicked his butt AFTER being assassinated.
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3 Kingdoms 131: Wooden Oxens, Gliding Horses, and Copycats from 2017-10-16T07:00
Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi match wits over the latest in wheelbarro
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3 Kingdoms 130: Goin' Down the Only Road I've Ever Known from 2017-10-02T07:00
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 up his mind and he ain't wasting no more time...
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3 Kingdoms 129: You Called Me Back for This?!! from 2017-09-25T07:00
Just as he was getting into a groove, Zhuge Liang is rudely interrupted in the field by an urgent dispatch from his emperor.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 013: Getting Sneaky from 2017-09-20T07:00
A brief explanation of the story behind the most famous secret crossing in Chinese history.
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3 Kingdoms 128: Smackdowns and Smack Talk from 2017-09-18T07:00
You've seen Zhuge Liang kill someone with just his tongue. Now watch him kill someone with the written word.
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3 Kingdoms 127: A Familiar Script from 2017-09-04T07:00
Zhuge Liang's third Northern expedition gets off to a promising start, but what else is new?
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3 Kingdoms 126: Putting the "Three" in Three Kingdoms from 2017-08-28T07:00
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.
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3 Kingdoms 125: Smoke and Mirrors from 2017-08-21T07:00
Zhuge Liang toys with Cao Zhen time and again on his second Northern expedition.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 012: Liu Bei, Fact and Fiction from 2017-08-09T07:00
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 as virtuous as the novel made Liu Bei out t...
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3 Kingdoms 124: Losing An Arm and A Pillar from 2017-08-07T07:00
Zhuge Liang prepares to take another shot at Wei, but one old friend will not be joining him.
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3 Kingdoms 123: The Price of Ignoring Good Advice from 2017-07-31T07:00
While Zhuge Liang picks up the pieces after his aborted Northern campaign, a Wei commander falls for a trick from the South.
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3 Kingdoms 122: If You Know that I Know that You Know that I'm Bluffing ... from 2017-07-24T07:00
When his campaign takes a drastic turn for the worse, Zhuge Liang is forced to resort to a desperate gamble.
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3 Kingdoms 121: The Worst-Kept Secret from 2017-07-10T07:00
Meng Da totally misses the point of a SECRET rebellion. Can Zhuge Liang's advice help him pull it off anyway?
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3 Kingdoms 120: The Enemy Within from 2017-07-03T07:00
While the Wei forces have their hands full with Zhuge Liang along the border, a new threat lurks deep inside their territory
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3 Kingdoms 119: Gluttons for Punishment from 2017-06-26T07:00
Wei forces sent to stop Zhuge Liang first try to out-talk him, and then try again to outsmart him.
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3 Kingdoms 118: Yes, Let's Try to Outsmart Zhuge Liang from 2017-06-12T07:00
Matching wits with Zhuge Liang sounds like a horrible idea, but that won't stop multiple Wei officers from trying.
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3 Kingdoms 117: Go North, Old Man from 2017-06-05T07:00
Zhuge Liang sends a 70-something general and a tax collector to lead the way for his Northern expedition.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 011: Zhang Fei, Fact and Fiction from 2017-05-31T07:00
We dive into the differences between the fictional and real-life Zhang Fei and ask, "Who really whipped that corrupt bribe-seeking government official?"
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3 Kingdoms 116: Haute Cuisine with Zhuge Liang from 2017-05-29T07:00
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, apparently.
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3 Kingdoms 115: Stop ... Being ... So ... Nice! from 2017-05-15T07:00
After a couple more displays of over-the-top kindness, imperial subjugation is starting to look kind of decent after all for Meng Huo.
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3 Kingdoms 114: Homewreckers from 2017-05-08T07:00
Zhuge Liang strolls into Meng Huo's house and makes himself at home.
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3 Kingdoms 113: So What Doesn't Kill You Around Here? from 2017-05-01T07:00
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.
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3 Kingdoms 112: Gift-Wrapped Victories from 2017-04-17T07:00
Zhuge Liang catches Meng Huo twice more with hardly any effort.
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3 Kingdoms 111: Catch and Release from 2017-04-10T07:00
Zhuge Liang continues his campaign to win not only battles, but also barbarian hearts and minds.
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3 Kingdoms 110: That Was Easy from 2017-04-03T07:00
Zhuge Liang barely breaks a sweat while cruising through level 1 of his Southwestern quest.
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3 Kingdoms 109: Troublesome Neighbors from 2017-03-20T07:00
While Shu and Wu become best buds again, trouble pops up from the North and the Southwest.
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3 Kingdoms 108: Battle of the Nerds from 2017-03-13T07:00
An episode that starts with five armies bearing down on Shu somehow ends with nothing more than a showdown between pedants at a banquet.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 010: Cao Cao, Fact and Fiction from 2017-03-08T06:00
A huge episode where we bid farewell to our favorite villain by delving into his real-life counterpart's life, career, and legacy.
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3 Kingdoms 107: Doleful, Doh-ful, and Du Fu from 2017-03-06T06:00
Liu Bei gets sad, Cao Pi botches an invasion, and we read a poem by one of China's greatest poets.
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3 Kingdoms 106: Do I Smell Smoke? from 2017-02-20T06:00
The tide of battle -- and history -- turns in the span of one night.
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3 Kingdoms 105: Can't Get No Respect from 2017-02-13T06:00
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?
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3 Kingdoms 104: Out with the Old, In with the New from 2017-02-06T06:00
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 Kaiser Kuo, host of the Sinica Podcast.
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3 Kingdoms 103: See, What Happened Was ... from 2017-01-23T06:00
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. We swear!
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3 Kingdoms 102: Oh Great, Who Died Now? from 2017-01-16T06:00
No, not him, too!! Another major character bites the dust.
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3 Kingdoms 101: The Most Boring Episode from 2017-01-09T06:00
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, and an unusually strong gust of wind.
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3 Kingdoms 100: Cao Zhi and the Beanstalk from 2016-12-26T06:00
Cao Cao's third son finds out what passes for brotherly love in his family.
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3 Kingdoms 099: Tears for a Villain from 2016-12-19T06:00
Cao Cao grapples with mortality and legacy.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 009: Guan Yu, Fact and Fiction from 2016-12-14T06:00
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.
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3 Kingdoms 098: Back from the Dead from 2016-12-12T06:00
Guan Yu's ghost finds inner peace ... and then starts killing and spooking people.
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3 Kingdoms 097: War of Attrition from 2016-11-28T06:00
Defeated and leaking troops by the minute, Guan Yu makes a desperate dash for safety.
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3 Kingdoms 096: Sneak Attacks from 2016-11-21T06:00
While Guan Yu is busy fighting Cao Cao's forces, Lü Meng and Dongwu try to catch him unawares.
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3 Kingdoms 095: Anesthesia Is for Wusses from 2016-11-14T06:00
After an arrow causes a festering wound, Guan Yu signs up for a bleeding-edge surgical operation.
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3 Kingdoms 094: Bringing a Coffin to a Knife Fight from 2016-10-31T07:00
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.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental 008: Hands Off My Shortbread from 2016-10-27T07:00
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.
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3 Kingdoms 093: The Man Who Didn't Want to Be King from 2016-10-24T07:00
After punching Cao Cao in the mouth, Liu Bei tries his best to keep his men from declaring him king, to no avail.
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3 Kingdoms 100th Episode Q&A from 2016-10-17T07:00
We've made it to 100 episodes! So let's throw it open to some questions.
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3 Kingdoms 092: Cao Cao's River of Woe from 2016-10-03T07:00
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.
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3 Kingdoms 091: Mighty Man of Power from 2016-09-26T07:00
Huang Zhong performs more heroic deeds, then Zhao Yun says to Cao Cao, "Hey, remember me?"
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3 Kingdoms 090: Take That, Young Punks! from 2016-09-19T07:00
With the battle for Hanzhong in full swing, Liu Bei sends a senior citizen to chase off some rowdy kids.
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3 Kingdoms 089: They Chose ... Poorly from 2016-09-05T07:00
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 home. What would you say?
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3 Kingdoms 088: Digression and Prognostications from 2016-08-29T07:00
We make virtually no progress in the narrative this week as we get tangled up in mysticism, superstition, and oh yeah, another conspiracy to overthrow Cao Cao.
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3 Kingdoms 087: Cuts Like A Knife ... and Many Other Weapons from 2016-08-22T07:00
After a general risks life and limb to save him, Sun Quan makes sure everyone appreciates the sacrifice.
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3 Kingdoms 086: You Killed My Father, Prepare to ... Deal with My Butthurt Tantrums from 2016-08-08T07:00
Sun Quan tries to wrestle some territory away from Cao Cao, while at the same time playing peacemaker between two of his own officers.
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3 Kingdoms 085: Another One Bites the Dust from 2016-08-01T07:00
Another foe bows to Cao Cao's might.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 007: Zhou Yu, Fact and Fiction from 2016-07-27T07:00
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 novel tells it.
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3 Kingdoms 084: On A Knife's Edge from 2016-07-25T07:00
Guan Yu brings a really big knife to a land dispute.
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3 Kingdoms 083: I.O.U.; I.O.U. Not from 2016-07-11T07:00
Liu Bei comes into some new possessions, and then tries to wiggle out of having to pay back his creditors in Dongwu.
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3 Kingdoms 082: Dueling Tigers from 2016-07-04T07:00
Zhang Fei and Ma Chao collide in a battle for the ages.
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Announcement 2016-06-29: 100th Episode from 2016-06-29T10:00
I'm planning to make the 100th episode a Q&A session, so send in your questions to 3kingdomspodcast@gmail.com by September 30, 2016.
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3 Kingdoms 081: Honorable Men Slaughtering Women and Children from 2016-06-27T10:00
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.
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3 Kingdoms 080: Never Surrender! ... Until They Ask Nicely from 2016-06-13T10:00
Zhang Fei discovers that all you need to do to get the Riverlands' finest to switch sides is to say please.
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3 Kingdoms 079: Should've Heeded the Warning Signs from 2016-06-06T10:00
Just as numerous omens portended, disaster strikes Liu Bei's campaign in the Riverlands.
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3 Kingdoms 078: The Die Is Cast from 2016-05-30T16:44:31
Having passed the point of no return, Liu Bei goes a-conquerin' in the Riverlands.
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3 Kingdoms 077: Land of the Rising Sun from 2016-05-16T10:00
Cao Cao gets a promotion, nine very nice pieces of swag, and a hint about Sun Quan's imperial destiny.
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3 Kingdoms 076: Thanks Bro from 2016-05-09T10:00
This week, overflowing brotherly affection is expressed through deception in the East and sword dances in the West.
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3 Kingdoms 075: Treason: It’s the Honorable Thing to Do from 2016-05-02T23:22:55
Zhang Song and his friend decide that honor and ethics demand that they betray their master and give his land to Liu Bei.
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3 Kingdoms 074: Going West from 2016-04-18T23:22
Cao Cao’s latest victory triggers a chain reaction in the western reaches of empire.
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3 Kingdoms 073: The Brush Is Mightier Than the Sword from 2016-04-11T23:21
With a few strokes of his brush, Cao Cao sows dissent in Ma Chao’s inner circle.
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3 Kingdoms 072: A Close Shave for Cao Cao from 2016-04-04T23:21
Cao Cao’s opening rounds against Ma Chao get a little hairy.
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3 Kingdoms 071: Loose Lips and Loose Women from 2016-03-21T23:21
Another week, another conspiracy against Cao Cao, and another evil-woman trope.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 006: Red Cliff, Fact and Fiction from 2016-03-17T23:20
A look at the most legendary battle of the novel and how the fictional account differs from the real showdown.
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3 Kingdoms 070: Weeping Dragon, Drunken Phoenix from 2016-03-14T23:19
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.
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3 Kingdoms 069: Try, Try, and Try Again from 2016-03-07T22:19
Zhou Yu devises yet again scheme to take Jing Province, because he’s a glutton for punishment.
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3 Kingdoms 068: Escape from Dongwu from 2016-02-22T22:18
Liu Bei and his new wife try to flee from the murderously angry clutches of Sun Quan and Zhou Yu.
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3 Kingdoms 067: Welcome to the Family from 2016-02-15T22:18
Sun Quan and Liu Bei are now brothers-in-law as the fake wedding becomes real.
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3 Kingdoms 066: One Wedding and Three Funerals from 2016-02-08T22:17
ROTK goes in search of higher TV ratings: Several role players get killed off, and we have a surprise marriage proposal.
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3 Kingdoms 065: Oldie but Goodie from 2016-01-25T22:17
After seeing his colleagues each conquer a county, Guan Yu wants in on the action, but an “old pawn” stands in his way.
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3 Kingdoms 064: Liu Bei Builds His Base from 2016-01-18T22:16
While Dongwu and Cao Cao are busy fighting each other, Liu Bei expands his sphere of influence.
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3 Kingdoms 063: Circle of Lies from 2016-01-11T22:16
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.
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3 Kingdoms 062: Close Encounters of the Guan Yu Kind from 2015-12-28T22:15
Routed and trapped, Cao Cao and his haggard troops throw themselves at the mercy of the man blocking their path.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 005: Legendary Advisers from 2015-12-25T22:15
A little Christmas morning stocking stuffer: A look at some of the guys that Zhuge Liang keeps getting compared to.
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3 Kingdoms 061: Who’s Laughing Now? from 2015-12-21T22:14
The Battle of Red Cliffs goes badly for Cao Cao, but he still finds reasons to feel smug, much to his men’s chagrin.
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3 Kingdoms 060: Blowin’ in the Wind from 2015-12-14T22:14
After Zhuge Liang moves heaven and earth, Zhou Yu and Liu Bei move their troops into position for the coming battle.
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3 Kingdoms 059: Cao Cao the Poet from 2015-11-30T22:12
Delighted by his invincible fleet and moved by the scenery, Cao Cao shows off his literary chops … until someone decided to play critic.
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3 Kingdoms 058: Defections and Deceptions from 2015-11-23T22:12
Zhou Yu and a couple other wise men of Dongwu spin an elaborate ruse for Cao Cao to faceplant into.
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3 Kingdoms 057: Strawman Solution from 2015-11-16T22:11
Zhou Yu presents Zhuge Liang with an invented problem. Zhuge Liang delivers an outside-the-box answer.
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3 Kingdoms 056: To Have Friends Coming In from Afar, How Delightful from 2015-11-02T22:11
Zhou Yu gets visits from Liu Bei and an old school chum, and he cannot not be happier to see them.
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3 Kingdoms 055: The Best of Frenemies from 2015-10-26T23:10
Sun Quan formally declares war on Cao Cao, while his commander Zhou Yu secretly declares war on their supposed allies.
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3 Kingdoms 054: A Bridge Too Far from 2015-10-19T23:10
Zhuge Liang has a little homonymical fun with Zhou Yu as they discuss whether the Southlands should fight or submit to Cao Cao.
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3 Kingdoms 053: I Find Your Argument Illogical! from 2015-10-05T23:09
When Zhuge Liang finds himself in the same room as the Southlands’ foremost academics, the gloves come off and jabs fly. Verbal jabs, of course.
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3 Kingdoms 052: Zhang Fei’s Killer Bluff from 2015-09-28T23:09
Zhang Fei’s cunning is the only things standing between Liu Bei and Cao Cao’s army. Well, that and his really loud, really deadly voice.
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3 Kingdoms 051: Zhao Yun Kicks Butt from 2015-09-21T23:08
All hell breaks loose as Cao Cao’s troops catch up to Liu Bei. Out of this hell rides his general Zhao Yun, with a precious package strapped to his chest.
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3 Kingdoms 050: It’s Just A Flesh Wound from 2015-09-07T22:56
Zhuge Liang burns another detachment of Cao Cao’s troops, but there are plenty more where that came from.
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3 Kingdoms 049: Is It Getting Hot in Here? from 2015-08-31T22:56
Zhuge Liang blazes to victory in his first battle, but Cao Cao turns up the heat on Jing Province.
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3 Kingdoms 048: Prelude to Wars from 2015-08-24T22:54
While Sun Quan prepares for a retaliatory strike from Liu Biao, Liu Biao and Liu Bei brace for an invasion by Cao Cao.
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3 Kingdoms 047: Meanwhile, In the Southlands from 2015-08-10T22:54
We leave Liu Bei with his new sage and check in on what the Sun clan has been up to.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 004: Yuan Shao and Yu Rang from 2015-08-05T22:53
We bid goodbye to the once-mighty warlord of the North and delve into the story of a determined assassin.
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3 Kingdoms 046: Elusive Recluse from 2015-08-03T22:53
Liu Bei’s strategy for finding Zhuge Liang: Go up to anyone in Nanyang who can rub two words together and ask, “Are you Sleeping Dragon?”
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3 Kingdoms 045: Parting Is Such Sweet Sor … Wait, Zhuge Who? from 2015-07-27T22:52
Liu Bei gets really broken up about Xu Shu’s departure, until he learns there’s someone much smarter.
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3 Kingdoms 044: How to Get A Job with Liu Bei Inc. from 2015-07-13T22:51
Approach Liu Bei on the street, sing a song, get invited to his office, advise him to give his horse to an enemy, get C-suite job.
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3 Kingdoms 043: Party Foul from 2015-07-03T22:50
Liu Bei gets invited to a feast, but Lady Cai and her brother ruin the fun when they try to kill him.
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3 Kingdoms 042: Breaches in Etiquette from 2015-06-29T22:49
The surviving Yuan brothers get a cold reception from their host up north, and Liu Bei commits a dinner-table faux pas down south.
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3 Kingdoms 041: How the North Was Won from 2015-06-15T21:32
Riding a wave of inevitability, Cao Cao sweeps the Yuan brothers out of their territories.
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3 Kingdoms 040: With Brothers Like These, Who Needs Enemies? from 2015-06-08T09:20
The eldest and youngest sons of Yuan Shao take on their most hated foe — each other.
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3 Kingdoms 039: My Three No-Good Sons from 2015-06-01T09:20
Yuan Shao finally has enough of Cao Cao, and now it’s his sons’ turn to get stomped.
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3 Kingdoms 038: Cao Cao Triumphant from 2015-05-18T09:19
Cao Cao puts a couple more smackdowns on Yuan Shao, but then gets distracted by a pesky old foe.
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3 Kingdoms 037: Battles of Guandu from 2015-05-11T09:18
Night raids, catapults, tunnels, fires. All these and more in a CG-packed episode and one of the most important clashes in the novel.
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3 Kingdoms 036: An Unhealthy Obsession from 2015-05-04T09:17
Sun Ce starts seeing his favorite Daoist priest here, there, and everywhere.
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3 Kingdoms 035: Getting the Band Back Together from 2015-04-20T09:16
Liu Bei and his gang of loyal followers meet up for a reunion tour, with a few new faces in the mix.
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3 Kingdoms 034: O Brother, There Thou Art! from 2015-04-12T09:15
Guan Yu unexpectedly discovers a lost brother, who gives him a surprising welcome.
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3 Kingdoms 033: Organizational Communication Problems from 2015-04-05T09:14
Guan Yu leaves Xuchang with Cao Cao’s blessings. If only Cao Cao had bothered to tell the men guarding the checkpoints along the way ….
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3 Kingdoms 032: O Brother, Where Art Thou? from 2015-03-23T08:01
Guan Yu does a couple huge favors for Cao Cao and then discovers Liu Bei’s whereabouts.
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3 Kingdoms 031: Three Is the Number Thou Shalt Count from 2015-03-16T08:01
As Guan Yu prepares to fight to the death against Cao Cao, an old friend gives him three reasons why that is a bad idea and three reasons for surrendering instead. Guan Yu responds with three co...
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 003: The Deal with the Seal from 2015-03-09T08:00
We take a look at the history of the more-trouble-than-it’s-worth imperial hereditary seal that everyone wants and everyone seems to regret getting.
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3 Kingdoms 030: Forgetting the First Rule of Fight Club from 2015-02-22T01:03
Dong Cheng and company demonstrate how not to run a conspiracy.
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3 Kingdoms 029: Cao Cao’s Nemesis from 2015-02-16T01:02
While one of Cao Cao’s old enemies submit, he gets trolled by a new thorn in his side who just won’t shut up.
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 002: Lü Bu, Fact and Fiction from 2015-02-02T01:01
We saw Lü Bu exit stage left a couple episodes back. In this supplemental episode, we take a look at the historical Lü Bu versus his fictional counterpart.
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3 Kingdoms 028: So Long, Sucker! from 2015-02-02T00:58
Liu Bei gets out of the capital and does not look back. Yuan Shu becomes distraught after discovering the scarcity of honey.
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3 Kingdoms 027: Defining “Hero” from 2015-01-19T00:58
Liu Bei develops a sudden interest in horticulture, while Cao Cao wonders out loud, “Who’s a hero?”
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3 Kingdoms 026: The Emperor’s Brother-in-Law’s New Clothes from 2015-01-12T00:57
With Cao Cao baring his imperial ambitions for all to see, the emperor does the only thing he can — give his brother-in-law a spiffy outfit.
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3 Kingdoms 025: Keeping Up with the Chens from 2015-01-05T00:56
While Chen Gong tries to help Lü Bu hold off Cao Cao, Chen Deng and Chen Gui run circles around them.
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3 Kingdoms Announcement 2014-12-17: Holidays, Thank-Yous, and a Challenge from 2014-12-17T00:56
No new episodes until the new year, but listen to this brief announcement for some important info and holiday wishes.
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3 Kingdoms 024: How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways from 2014-12-08T00:50
Cao Cao’s awesomeness draws much fawning from his adviser Guo Jia, while the people of Xu Province express their love for Liu Bei through cannibalism.
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3 Kingdoms 023: Dangerous Jobs from 2014-12-01T00:49
Who’s more likely to lose his head in this episode: impostor emperor or granary officer? The answer may surprise you.
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3 Kingdoms 022: Strange Bedfellows from 2014-11-24T00:49
Cao Cao decides that he hates Lü Bu more than he hates Liu Bei, so “Liu Bei and I are like brothers.”
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3 Kingdoms 021: Arrow of Diplomacy from 2014-11-17T00:48
Sun Ce lifts off, Lü Bu shows off, and Yuan Shu gets ticked off.
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3 Kingdoms 020: How the South Was Won from 2014-11-03T00:47
Priceless imperial heirloom as collateral? Check. An old pal as your strategist? Check. Ability to kill by the mere sound of your voice? Check, check, and check.
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3 Kingdoms 019: When Tigers and Wolves Share a Den from 2014-10-27T01:47
Cao Cao deploys animal-themed schemes to sow discord between Liu Bei and Lü Bu.
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3 Kingdoms 018: Cao Cao’s Big Break from 2014-10-13T01:46
The Han court hits rock bottom, at which point Cao Cao is all too happy to ride in and … umm … defend the honor and dignity of the throne. Yeah, that’s it.
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3 Kingdoms 017: Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Not Scorned from 2014-10-06T01:45
Someone’s wife gets the wrong impression that her husband is cheating on her, and the next thing you know, we’re poisoning household pets, ingesting waste, burning palaces, and abducting everybo...
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3 Kingdoms 016: Respite, Restoration, Recap from 2014-09-23T01:44
After spending his down time picking off some ragtag rebels, Cao Cao moves to reclaim his territory, which brings us to a good point to look back at what we have covered so far.
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3 Kingdoms 015: Battle of Brain and Brawn from 2014-09-15T01:44
Cao Cao and Lü Bu face off for control of Yan Province in a back-and-forth attempt to out-trick and outfight each other. And then the locusts came ….
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3 Kingdoms 014: Much Ado About Nothing from 2014-09-08T01:43
Everyone gears up for a fight with Cao Cao over Xu Province, and then all of a sudden it’s the province nobody wants.
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3 Kingdoms 013: How to Get A Job with Cao Cao Inc. from 2014-08-18T01:42
Our old friend Cao Cao is expanding his operation. Want to join? You just need to either be a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of someone who already works there, or be a m...
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3 Kingdoms 012: But You Said They Were GOOD Omens from 2014-08-11T01:41
Dong Zhuo learns that broken chariots, wild horses, and melancholy songs are, in fact, not auspicious signs.
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3 Kingdoms 011: The Face That Launched A Thousand Halberds from 2014-07-28T01:39
Expertly manipulated by Diao Chan, Lü Bu and Dong Zhuo come to blows over who gets to go to bed with a 16-year-old.
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3 Kingdoms 010: Thanks A Lot, Dad! from 2014-07-21T01:38
Sun Jian leaves his son in charge, while Dong Zhuo leaves his son out in the cold for a pretty face.
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3 Kingdoms 009: Everywhere is War from 2014-07-05T01:36
Now that they are not fighting Dong Zhuo anymore, the former coalition leaders have to do something to occupy their time. What better way is there to avoid idleness than waging war against each ...
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3 Kingdoms 008: So That’s Where I Put That Seal from 2014-06-25T01:35
Dong Zhuo moves the capital and turns the journey into a traveling horror show as only Dong Zhuo can, while the coalition becomes distracted when it discovers the one thing of value that Dong Zh...
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3 Kingdoms 007: A Brawl for the Ages from 2014-06-13T01:33
The coalition forces are marching for the capital, but first, they will have to get past Dong Zhuo’s top generals. The result is two of the most famous battlefield encounters in Chinese lore.
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3 Kingdoms 006: Ethics Lessons from Cao Cao from 2014-06-05T01:32
It’s a busy episode for Cao Cao. He gets out of a sticky situation, screws himself out of a delicious pork dinner, drops some life wisdom on his traveling companion, and then stirs up a whole lo...
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3 Kingdoms 005: Dude, Check Out This Cool Knife I Got You from 2014-05-26T01:30
As Dong Zhuo rises to power, he bestows endless kindness on all mankind. He’s doing such a great job, in fact, that someone decides to give him a beautiful, bejeweled knife with a razor-sharp ed...
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3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 001: Yi Yin, Chef and Kingmaker from 2014-05-19T01:28
“Only with Yi Yin’s talent can you act like Yi Yin.” So who is this Yi Yin? We dive into the story behind one line of dialogue from episode 4.
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3 Kingdoms 004: Enter the Fat Man; AKA the Novel Really Starts from 2014-05-12T01:26
We’ve had rebellions, palace intrigue, a deadly power struggle, and a bloodbath at the imperial residence. But all of that was just the warm-up act. We are finally getting into the meat of the s...
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3 Kingdoms 003: Oh C’mon! Kill Them Already! from 2014-05-05T01:25
He Jin makes his officers bang their heads against walls with his pathological inability to dispose of the eunuchs. Meanwhile, a bit character from episode 1, Dong Zhuo, drops by the capital wit...
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3 Kingdoms 002: Trials and Tribulations of Chinese Officialdom from 2014-04-21T01:17
Liu Bei discovers that landing a government job in the Han court takes connections, patience, and a lot of dead rebels. And that’s BEFORE the leeches start ransoming you for a bribe. Fortunately...
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3 Kingdoms 001: Bromance of the Three Warriors from 2014-04-11T02:09
The first episode finds the empire in turmoil and three men of valor vowing to do something about it.
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3 Kingdoms 000: Who Are You? What Are You Doing Here? from 2014-04-09T01:07
A quick overview of what I’ll attempt to do with this podcast. You can also read this explanation instead.
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