Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

This is episode 42.

Last time, Cao Cao had whipped the three sons of Yuan Shao

and taken over all of their territory.

The eldest son, Yuan Tan, was killed in battle.

The two younger sons, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, had fled to seek refuge with the desert people

known as the Wu Huan.

Eager to finish the job, Cao Cao set off after them, but soon found himself in a hostile

desert, so hostile that Guo Jia, the advisor who had talked Cao Cao into going into the

desert after the Yuan's, had fallen ill on the journey.

The difficult terrain makes me want to turn back, Cao Cao said to Guo Jiang.

What do you think?

Speed is of the essence in war, Guo Jia said.

We are traveling a great distance to attack the enemy.

It is not to our advantage to travel with so much heavy equipment and supplies.

You are better off with a small force that can reach

the Wu Huan before they suspect anything, but you must have a guide who is familiar with the area.

So Cao Cao sent Guo Jia to Yi province to recuperate and began looking for a guide to lead him

through the desert.

Someone recommended Tian Chou, who used to serve under Yuan Shao.

Cao Cao summoned him and asked about the area, and Tian Chou told him,

During the summer and autumn, this area is flooded.

...