Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

This is episode 106.

Before we pick up where we left off, I want to let you know that last week,

I was interviewed about the podcast by

Ink and Quill, a program on China Radio International. So go check that out. Just look for

ink and quill in your podcast app, or go to the link that I have posted with this episode

on our website, Three Kingdomspodcast.com, spelled with the number three.

And now back to the show.

Last time, after maintaining a long stalemate against Liu Bei,

the Dongwu commander Lu Xun was preparing to go on the offensive.

It was now the sixth month of the year 222, a year after

Liu Bei had initiated his campaign for vengeance. Liu Bei had built 40-some interconnected camps

spanning more than 200 miles, and all the camps were placed near woods for easy access to water sources.

Liu Bei thought this deployment pattern was just the bee's knees,

but one of his advisors, Ma Liang, took it upon himself to draw up a map of the camps

and bring it to show Zhuge Liang.

When Zhuge Liang saw this, he told Ma Liang that Liu Bei was headed for

disaster, and that if Ma Liang did not get back quickly enough to prevent that disaster,

then Liu Bei should seek refuge in the city of Bai Di. While Ma Liang raced off to warn

Liu Bei, Lu Xun was busy wheeling and dealing in the Dongwu camp.

He assembled all his officers and told them,

Since I took command, I have yet to engage the enemy in battle.

...