Chinese Lore Podcast

Water Margin 020: Gift

Our story shifts to rural village life, which apparently includes receiving uninvited visitors from near and far, some of whom hit you up for food and wine in the middle of the night while others come bearing presents, of a sort.

Water Margin Supplemental Episode 003: Money

A quick look at currencies, income, and living expenses during the Northern Song.

Water Margin 019: Knife

It slices. It dices. It probably shouldn't be sold on a busy street in the capital. But wait, there's more!

Water Margin 018: Pledge

Lin Chong really wants to join the bandits on Liangshan, but the initiation is murder.

Water Margin 017: Water

Meet the new Lin Chong, stabber of hearts, remover of heads, and burner of old men’s beards.

Water Margin Supplemental Episode 002: Buddhism

A look at the growth of Buddhism during the Northern Song and the religion's relationship with the imperial government.

Water Margin 016: Fire

Just as Lin Chong starts to settle into his new life at the penal colony, his past pays him a visit.

Update: Videos on Three Kingdoms Warlords

I recently collaborated with the YouTube channel Invicta History on three videos about Three Kingdoms warlords. The videos were sponsored by Creative Assembly as part of the promotion for its new game Total War: Three Kingdoms. My role in the project was to provide research and record the narration for the videos. We covered Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei. It was a fun project. All three videos are out now, so have a look.

Water Margin 015: C.R.E.A.M.

Lin Chong finds out first-hand that cash really does rule everything around you, especially when you’re caught up in the ancient Chinese legal system.

Update: Appearance on ”Total War” Podcast

Back in February, I took part in a podcast conversation on the Invicta History YouTube channel with the host, Julien, and Peter Stewart, a writer from the team producing the coming “Total War: Three Kingdoms” game. We chatted for more than an hour, geeking out over the history of the Three Kingdoms period, the novel based on it, and how all of that is handled in the game. It was a fun conversation, and it was interesting for me to hear how the team worked to capture the essence of the story in the game. Have a listen.