Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

This is episode 84.

Last time, after Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang gave Dongwu another runaround over Jing province, Sun Quan said

enough was enough and demanded that his top commander, Lu Su, do something.

Lu Su decided to invite Guan Yu, the guardian of Jing province, to a banquet on Dongwu's side

of the river, where Lu Su would press for the return of the province,

and if Guan Yu refused, Lu Su would unleash an ambush to kill him.

Guan Yu was not blind, he knew this was a trap, but perhaps blinded by pride, he decided not

only to attend the banquet, but to only take a handful of men with him.

On the morning of the feast, Lu Su's men spotted a single boat, manned by just a few people,

coming toward them in the distance. The boat bore a red flag that flapped in the wind,

and the flag displayed a giant character

for Guan.

As the boat drew closer, they saw Guan Yu sitting on board, dressed in a green battle robe,

and sporting a blue-green headscarf.

Next to him, with his faithful follower, Zhou Cang, who carried his green dragon saber.

Behind them stood eight or nine stout men, each wearing a broad sword around his waist.

Lu Su was taken aback, partly by Guan Yu's awesome appearance, and partly by how few men he had

brought with him.

I mean, I know this guy's not dumb.

He knows he's walking into a trap, right?

In any case, Lu Su welcomed Guan Yu into the banquet hall,

...