John Zhu

Romance of the Three Kingdoms Podcast

History EN ↓ 187 episodes

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.

Author

John Zhu

Episodes

3 Kingdoms 032: O Brother, Where Art Thou? 23.03.2015 30:23

Guan Yu does a couple huge favors for Cao Cao and then discovers Liu Bei’s whereabouts.

3 Kingdoms 031: Three Is the Number Thou Shalt Count 16.03.2015 30:39

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 conditions.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 003: The Deal with the Seal 09.03.2015 15:20

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.

3 Kingdoms 030: Forgetting the First Rule of Fight Club 22.02.2015 30:48

Dong Cheng and company demonstrate how not to run a conspiracy.

3 Kingdoms 029: Cao Cao’s Nemesis 16.02.2015 30:16

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.

3 Kingdoms Supplemental Episode 002: Lü Bu, Fact and Fiction 02.02.2015 10:29

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.

3 Kingdoms 028: So Long, Sucker! 02.02.2015 29:52

Liu Bei gets out of the capital and does not look back. Yuan Shu becomes distraught after discovering the scarcity of honey.

3 Kingdoms 027: Defining “Hero” 19.01.2015 29:17

Liu Bei develops a sudden interest in horticulture, while Cao Cao wonders out loud, “Who’s a hero?”

3 Kingdoms 026: The Emperor’s Brother-in-Law’s New Clothes 12.01.2015 30:54

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.

3 Kingdoms 025: Keeping Up with the Chens 05.01.2015 30:06

While Chen Gong tries to help Lü Bu hold off Cao Cao, Chen Deng and Chen Gui run circles around them.

3 Kingdoms Announcement 2014-12-17: Holidays, Thank-Yous, and a Challenge 17.12.2014 5:04

No new episodes until the new year, but listen to this brief announcement for some important info and holiday wishes.

3 Kingdoms 024: How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways 08.12.2014 30:08

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.

3 Kingdoms 023: Dangerous Jobs 01.12.2014 30:39

Who’s more likely to lose his head in this episode: impostor emperor or granary officer? The answer may surprise you.

3 Kingdoms 022: Strange Bedfellows 24.11.2014 30:44

Cao Cao decides that he hates Lü Bu more than he hates Liu Bei, so “Liu Bei and I are like brothers.”

3 Kingdoms 021: Arrow of Diplomacy 17.11.2014 29:47

Sun Ce lifts off, Lü Bu shows off, and Yuan Shu gets ticked off.

3 Kingdoms 020: How the South Was Won 03.11.2014 28:23

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.

3 Kingdoms 019: When Tigers and Wolves Share a Den 27.10.2014 30:29

Cao Cao deploys animal-themed schemes to sow discord between Liu Bei and Lü Bu.

3 Kingdoms 018: Cao Cao’s Big Break 13.10.2014 31:34

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.

3 Kingdoms 017: Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Not Scorned 06.10.2014 30:21

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 everybody who’s anybody.

3 Kingdoms 016: Respite, Restoration, Recap 23.09.2014 26:26

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.

3 Kingdoms 015: Battle of Brain and Brawn 15.09.2014 28:41

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 ….

3 Kingdoms 014: Much Ado About Nothing 08.09.2014 29:12

Everyone gears up for a fight with Cao Cao over Xu Province, and then all of a sudden it’s the province nobody wants.

3 Kingdoms 013: How to Get A Job with Cao Cao Inc. 18.08.2014 29:00

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 man-beast who kills dozens of coworkers with your bare hands over a disagreement.

3 Kingdoms 012: But You Said They Were GOOD Omens 11.08.2014 30:20

Dong Zhuo learns that broken chariots, wild horses, and melancholy songs are, in fact, not auspicious signs.

3 Kingdoms 011: The Face That Launched A Thousand Halberds 28.07.2014 30:59

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.