Author: John Zhu

A quick look at the ancient Chinese game of football that allowed Gao Qiu to break into government service.

Wang Jin turns a one-night farm stay into a nice little gig by knocking his host’s son on his butt.

How do you rise up to be the future ruler’s right-hand man? Certainly not through brilliance or hard work.

The capital is facing a crisis, and the only hope is basically the 12th-century Chinese equivalent of Anakin Skywalker from “The Phantom Menace.” Ugh.

An overview of the podcast and an introduction to the Water Margin, aka Outlaws of the Marsh, one of China’s great classic literary works.

A reflection on this four-year ride, and a glimpse of things to come.

A rapid-fire look at a bunch of supporting players in the novel.

One hundred and fifty-three episodes later, we have finally reached the “long divided, must unite” part of the novel.

A look at what they ate and drank during the Three Kingdoms era.

While their respective states are sizing each other up for conquest, the Jin and Wu commanders at the borders are getting along famously.