Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast. This is episode 1.30.

Last time, we left Zhuge Liang in a bit of a pickle. He was garrisoned inside a small town called Lu Cheng,

while his opponent, Sima Yi, had sent an army to attack the Sabre Pass, which would cut

off Zhuge Liang's path of retreat and his supply route. Meanwhile, Sima Yi was coming to

attack Lu Cheng in person. What's more, all this was happening at a time when Zhuge Liang was just about to rotate his

field army off the front lines in exchange for fresh reserves.

Zhuge Liang's advisor Yang Yi now suggested that he should keep his army right where

it was until the crisis had passed. But Zhuge Liang disagreed.

We cannot do that, he said. I have always based my authority on being a man of my words,

since I have already given the order for the men to be rotated off the front. How can I go back on it?

Besides, the men who are due to rotate off

have been looking forward to going home, and their families are eagerly awaiting them.

Even if I am facing a calamity, I will not keep them. So Zhuge Liang sent out word that the

troops were to rotate off as planned and they were to leave that day.

But when the rank and file heard what he had said, they all shouted,

Your Excellency is so kind and considerate.

We are willing to postpone our departure and put our lives on the line to crush the enemy and repay you.

Zhuge Liang tried to convince the men to leave, but they steadfastly refused and insisted on going out to fight.

So Zhuge Liang told them,

Since you insist on following me into battle, then let's set up camp outside the town.

When the enemy arrives, pounce on them before they can catch their breath. We will be

rested while they toil. The soldiers were delighted and they all grabbed their weapons and

...