Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

This is episode 59.

Before we pick up where we left off, since I have not done this for a while,

I would like to remind those of you who haven't given the show a rating in iTunes to consider taking just a second and doing that, it will help people discover the show. Thanks.

So last time, Pang Tong, aka Young Phoenix, had just convinced Cao Cao that in order to prevent his troops from getting sick,

he should tie all his ships together. Cao Cao was ecstatic at this wonderful idea,

so ecstatic that he overlooked the fact that this also made his fleet that much more susceptible to a fire attack.

But Pang Tong was not finished doing favors for Cao Cao just yet.

He told Cao Cao, in my opinion, many of the talented men from Dong Wu are mad at Zhou Yu.

I can go persuade them to defect to your excellency.

That would leave Zhou Yu isolated and helpless,

and you will capture him for sure. Once Zhou Yu is defeated, Liu Bei would be powerless.

If you can do that, sir, then I will report your merits to the emperor and have you appointed

to one of the top ministerial posts at court,

Cao Cao said happily.

I am not doing this for money, Pang Tong said.

I am trying to save civilian lives.

When your excellency crosses the river, please do not harm them.

I act on behalf of heaven, so how can I bear to harm the people? Cao Cao said.

Pang Tong, however, asked for this assurance in writing so as to have something to protect his

clan, which he told Cao Cao was living on the riverbank.

Cao Cao happily consented and wrote an official edict,

...