Romance of the Three Kingdoms

This is the backdrop for the literary classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms,
one of the four great pillars of Chinese literature (Journey to the West, Outlaws of
the Marsh, and Dream of the Red Chamber are the others).

Fourteenth century, Luo Guanzhong, takes history and legend to create a

colorful story depicting political and social activities. Moreover, it is considered a
guide book on military strategy compared to The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

Through its pages, readers meet dozens of iconic characters from history,
and witness battles at every level. The Three Kingdoms are the core of Chinese
cultural identity.

 Chen Shou is believed to have first written Three Kingdoms History (Sanguozhi).

 This first edition had 61 chapters---26 stories of Wei, 15 stories of Shu, and 20 stories of
Wu

 70% fact, 30% fiction

 The origin of the book can be traced back to the Jin dynasty (265-316 AD); it tells the
story of the Han Dynasty in China during the 2nd and 3rd century.

 It is a romanticization of the events that occurred during the Three Kingdoms period.

Chen Shou was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer who lived during
the Three Kingdoms period and Jin dynasty of China.

Chen Shou is most known for his most celebrated work, the Records of the
Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), which records the history of the late Eastern Han
dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period.

Chen Shou wrote Sanguozhi mainly in the form of biographies of famous

people of those times. Today, Chen's Note of the Three Kingdoms is part of the
Twenty-Four History of the canon of ancient Chinese history.
  Author: Luo Guanzhong 羅 貫 中 (ca 1330-1440) Made use of Chen Shou’s Three
Kingdoms History (Sanguozhi).

 Originally: 240 sections, later combined into 120 chapters.

 The standard version nowadays was edited by Mao Zhongkong 毛宗崗 in 17th century.
He added an extensive critical commentary after the example of Jin Shengtan’ s 金聖嘆
edition of Water Margin.

 This new version became the most popular version.

“Romance of the Three Kingdoms” is a popular historical novel written by Luo

Guanzhong in the 14th Century based on some real-life historical figures. Comprised of
over 800,000 words, 1191 characters, and 120 chapters, it takes place when China was
divided into many warring and focuses on three kingdoms --- Wei, Wu and Shu.

 It tells the history of the Chinese civil wars in the period from 180-280 A.D in late Han
Dynasty.

 In 220-221, these leader and their various sons and successors set themselves up as
emperor: the Han 漢 Dynasty is followed by/divided into the three regions:
1. Wei 魏 (Cao Cao 曹操 in the North),
2. Wu 吳 (Sun Quan 孫權 in the SE), and
3. Shu-Han 蜀漢 (Liu Bei 劉備 in Sichuan).

 Unity is not restored until 280 A.D., when the Jin 晉, the successor to the Wei, which had
annexed Shu- Han in 263, succeeds in conquering Wu.

As the lords and generals gather to fight for supremacy, three great leaders
will emerge. Their names are Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan. These are men with
heavy character, genius, and deception, each eager to see his ambition fulfilled. Each
is the ruler of their respective kingdoms - Shu, Wei, and Wu, respectively - and each
seeks to unite the empire, uniting All under heaven, "they called it.

The Story of Romance of the Three Kingdom

  Despite the title, the emphasis of the book is not on the Three Kingdom period
(220-280) but on the era that led up to the tripartition.

 In contrast to the official heroes, which regard the Wei as the legitimate successor
to the Han, the novel presents Shu-Han as the true lawful heir on the grounds that Liu Bei
was supposedly, a member of the imperial family of the Han Dynasty.

Warlord Liu Bei was the founder of the Kingdom of Shu. His claim to the
throne of the empire was that he was a descendant of the Han rulers and thus could
inherit the legacy if not the dynasty. Liu is described as the most legitimate and
worthy opponent. He is high in mind and kind of heart, but lacks the resources and
raw power of his rivals. - Wei Kingdom In the Three Kingdoms, the ambitious
general Cao Cao is Liu Bei and a related rival.

 3 states:
 1. Shu-Han: headed by Liu Bei (his sworn brothers, the courageous but overly
proud Guan Yu 關羽, the heroic but impulsive and heavy-drinking Zhang Fei 張飛 ). Liu
Bei also is aided by his counselor, Zhuge Liang 諸 葛 亮 , considered as the wisest
Chinese.
2. Wei: headed by Cao cao (the strongest state)
3. Wu: headed by Sun Qun, aided by Zhou Yu (a clever man)

The most important war: Liu Bei and Sun Quan join hands against Cao Cao in the Battle
at Red Cliff 赤 壁 之 戰 , which Cao Cao’s armada sailing down the Yangzi River is
devastated by fire.
Battle at Red Cliff: The battle-boats of Cao Cao were tied together. Zhuge Liang knew
that there would be eastern wind. With the help of the wind, he sent out empty boats on
fire towards Cao Cao ’ s troops and successfully destroyed all the troops of his enemy.
Such a battle was extremely important in history, because after it, the tripatition was
established.
Subsequently, Guan Yu, overconfident and careless, is killed by Sun Quan’s men.
Liu Bei, disregarding Zhuge Liang ’s warnings, decides to go to war against Wu
(Sun Quan’s state).
Liu Bei loses his life. Zhuge Liang stays on as chancellor to Liu Bei ’ s son, but despite
his efforts to bring about the defeat of Wei, his loyalty is in vain.
 After that, both Wu & Shu-han was conquered by the state of Wei.

Important Characters:
Ts'ao Ts'ao (C á o Cāo) (155 – March 15, 220 C.E.) was a regional warlord and the last
Chancellor of Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the last years of the
Eastern Han Dynasty in ancient China.
Although often portrayed as a cruel and merciless tyrant, Ts'ao Ts'ao has also been
praised as a brilliant ruler and military
Romance of the Three Kingdoms gave Ts'ao Ts'ao a certain degree of dramatic make-up
to make him appear as a cruel and suspicious character.
On several occasions, Luo Guanzhong even made up fictional or semi-fictional events
involving Ts'ao Ts'ao.

I. Cao Cao 曹操
The prime minister of late Han Dynasty.
He did not claim to be king, yet he controlled the King and became the most powerful
person in the empire.
Personality: tough, strong, as cunning as a fox, a good warrior, a clever leader.
His famous statement: “ I would treat the whole world unfairly and badly instead of
being cheated by any person! ”
When he was young, once he knew that his uncle (whom did not like him) was going to
complain to his father about his misbehavior, he fainted immediately. His father went to
see him and found out that he was healthy. After this incident, his father did not trust his
uncle again.
Once he was chased by others but hided himself in his sword- brother (Lui) ’ s place.
Lui ordered his servants to kill a pig and went out to buy wine. Cao heard people were
discussing about tie-up and the kill, he immediately killed the whole family 98 persons).
Then he found out that there was a pig tied in the kitchen. He rushed off and met Lui on
his way. Cao told Lui that there was someone behind him. Lui turned around and was
killed. When Cao ’ s follower commented Cao was wrong, Cao admitted and said his
famous statement.
Cao Cao did not entitled himself as King because he knew that it would be easier to use
the King’s name to place his order, empower his ambition, and expand the border.
He was proud of his “loyalty.” He wanted to leave himself a good reputation in history.
 A smart ruler of the kingdom: A state could be strong only when the common people
(farmers) were well taken care of. Once he stopped a war because it was harvest time. He
ordered that his army should not rob or kill any farmer.
Later Han became weaker and weaker in the hands of Cao cao.
Cao’s power was further strengthen when her daughter was crowned as the queen. Cao
was then entitled as the head of Wei (in the north).
From the very beginning, he knew that he needed the help of wise people. He attracted a
number of good civil and military officials by wealth and status.
E.g. He cried for and personally attended the funeral of a warrior whom died for
him.
After this, his officials were all willing to sacrifice for him. He quickly noticed who were
good and intelligent people, and tried his best to keep them.
He could see the big picture instead of being narrow-minded, noticing only minute
details.
E.g. After he won a certain battle in ch.30, he found some letters sent between his
warriors and his enemy, Yuan. He decided to burn all the letters without taking a look. His
explanation: Yuan was so strong that they had to protect themselves.
Cao cao was always the final decision-maker, as his inferiors were either civil/military.
He was both the warrior of his army and policy-maker for the kingdom.

II. Zhuge Liang 諸葛亮 / Kung Ming

K’ung-ming (Zhuge Liang) (181 - 234 C.E.)
- was one of the greatest Chinese strategists of the Three Kingdoms era,
A statesman, engineer, scholar, and inventor.
His name has become synonymous with intelligence, wisdom, and wit in Chinese
culture.
believed to be the inventor of the Chinese steamed bun, the landmine and the
wheelbarrow in China.
The most important person from ch.38 to 104 (his death). He was probably the most
respectable and successfully written person in the book.
The most intelligent person, with knowledge in every aspect, a “god-liked” figure. He
was the final decision-maker for the state of Shu-Han.
 When he was only 26, he refused to meet Liu Bei until the 3 rd visit (ch.38). He asked
Liu a number of questions to test whether Liu could be a good ruler.
He chose a superior with great care so that he could work for the well-being of the
world.
 Since then, he was whole-heartedly loyal to Shu-Han.
Important Characters:
II. Zhuge Liang: Battle at Red Cliff
 Zhuge Liang's vision when he first met Liu Bei (he's only 26):
 to base in Sichuan
 to join hand with Wu
 to rule the state well, i.e. to take care of the common people so as to strengthen
the state.
 to wait for an appropriate opportunity to fight against Cao cao and unify China.

Zhuge Liang: Battle at Red Cliff

 When he was only 27 there was the most important war, the Battle at Red

 Before the war, the kingdom was divided among different powers. After the war, the
tripatition of Wei Shu-Han, Wu was formed.

 Ch.43-44: diplomatic struggle: to persuade Sun Quan of the state of Wu to fight

against Cao cao with Liu Bei.

 Zhuge exaggerated the power of Cao cao to Sun Quan, and even proposed that Sun
should surrender; because he understood the personality of Sun very well, he could
not beg or invite Sun to fight.

 Sun Quan was indecisive and he asked his advisor, Zhou Yue.

 Zhuge told Zhou Yu that he should surrender: first to keep his wife and second, to
keep his wealth and status.

 Zhuge added that the reason for Cao cao's invasion was for the two most beautiful
females in the state of Wu, Zhuge pretended that he did not know one of them was
Zhou's wife.

 Zhou gone mad! He highly recommended Sun Quan to go to war with Cao cao.
  Ch.45: Cao cao claimed to have 1 million soldiers (in fact, more than 830,000) vs.
100,000-150,000 soldiers of Wu & Shu-Han.

 Cao cao knew that he did not have a commander to fight on sea and he decided to
place trust on two surrendered leaders, Zhoi & Chang.

 Zhou Yu was surprised that Cao cao's army was good to fight on sea. He then
arranged a banquet for his men (old friends of Zhoi and Zhang) and the two leaders
—for he knew that Cao cao was paranoid.

 Cao cao later found out such a meeting and killed both Zhoi and Zhang. This was the
very first and biggest mistake of Cao in this battle.

 Cao cao did not know that he was in danger, for he was drown in his dream of
winning the battle. On the other hand, Zhou Yue was alert and he personality led the
army to fight.
 After numerous tricks played by Zhou Yue’s men, Cao cao decided to chain up his
battle-boats together.

 Zhuge Liang was knowledgeable even in astronomy: he knew that there would be
east wind. Then it was time to set fire on Cao’s s battle-boats.

Zhuge Liang: The Strategy of An Empty Clty

 Zhuge Liang was once with very little soldiers in a city, yet facing 110,000 soldiers of
Cao cao.
 He opened the gate widely, then asked his men to pretend to be ordinary people, walking
around in leisure and cleaning the streets.
 He understood the opposite leader, Zima Yee very well: being a careful and well-planned
person, he would afraid that it would be a trap.
 After Guan Yue's death, Liu Bei ignored Zhuge Gang's advice and had war with Sun
Qua, the state of Wu.

Zhuge Liang: After the death of Liu Bei

 Liu lost life and Zhuge assisted the young king.
 Zhuge had no choice but to go to war with Cao cao. He knew that Cao cao would invade
them soon. Instead of waiting from Cao cao’s invasion, he decided to play an active role.
 Zhuge knew that he had to end such a war quickly, because his army traveled a long way
(to the state of Wei) for the war.
 However, the military leaders under Cao Cao also knew the weakness of Zhuge Liang's
army. They decided to keep the gate closed and refuse to start any fight.
 For 6 times, Zhuge Liang had to go back home without any real fight, because of the
shortage of food after waiting for several months.
 He died on his last way back home.

Liu Bei

 He is probably the most lovable king among 3, for he is not a king in the palace, but one
who lives with the common people.

 Surrounded by a number of good officials. He treated them as brothers, not just superior-
inferior relationship.
 He followed their opinions (except after his swore-brother Guan Yue's death, he decided
to break up with Sun Quan — the biggest mistake in his life, which led to his death).

Zhou Yu

 Chou Yu (Zhou Yu) (175 - 210 CE.) was a famous militarist and strategist of Eastern Wu
during the Three Kingdoms period of China.
 Portrayed as a jealous & narrow-minded man who relentlessly tried and failed - to outwit
K'ung-ming.
 His famous statement, "If there is a Zhou Yu, why is there a Kung Ming (Zhuge Liang)?"
 An important adviser in the state of Wu (Sun Quan always listens to him)
 Three Important Wars in Romance of the Three Kingdom

 All ended by fire & the weaker side won

1. Fire on food storage
 food for the army, grass for horses
2. Fire on army area.
3. Battle at Red Cliff
 fire on battle-ships
 The weaker party won because the leaders were more clever. They knew the weaknesses
of their enemy and used tricks to manipulate the situation.
 A great deal of war-tactics & tricks throughout the

Analysis of Romance of the Three Kingdom

 A unifying motif is that of lasting conflict

 conflict between Liu Bei (Shu-Han) and Cao Cao (Wei), and also the moral conflict
between yi (the code of governing the behavior of sworn brothers) and zhong (loyalty between
ruler and minister).

 Characters: people of high status and importance

 E.g. kings, generals, chancellors, and concubines; their great deeds are described in epic
terms.

 Language: simple classical style

 includes a few elements of the spoken language

 the dialog ranges from purely literary to unadulterated vernacular.

The author bases the facts in official history book, but expands, elaborates and plays
around history with popular drama, storytellers' stories and imagination.

In order to write an interesting and popular book, he wants to highlight the consistency
Of personalities for his characters, he deliberately re-places certain stories in other
characters. E.g. in history: Liu Bei once lost temper and bit an official, but the author put this real
story under Chang Fei, whom is impulsive.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Wei Kingdom In the Three Kingdoms, the ambitious general Cao Cao is Liu Bei and a
related rival.

Wu Kingdom Meanwhile, the Sun clan controls most of southern China. At the age of 18,
after his older brother was killed, the red-bearded Sun Quan came to power.

- Cao Cao

The Han Dynasty general and warlord, is one of the greatest and hottest figures in
historical China. Known for his ruthlessness and cunning, most Chinese people know him as the
villain of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and an oath of allegiance to Peking opera.

Zhuge liang Zhuge liang was a politician who served Liu Bei. He is a wise counselor who
is both loved and feared as the "Sleeping Dragon" (eight). When he became Shu's Prime
Minister, he led a grueling journey to conquer Wei.

The reasons for Shu's failure were Argued - lack of manpower, bad weather, or his
misjudgment - but he now praises them for their unmistakable loyalty to their masters. The Love
of the Three Kingdoms is famously portrayed by him as an unparalleled genius whose intellect
contradicts the greatest ideology of China, Lu Wang and Zhang Liang. His wife is Yueying and
Zhuge Zhan is his son. Zhuge Jin and Zhuge Jun are their siblings. Zhuge Liang had already
noticed Liu Bei's visit from a vision. Instead of testing the warlord's patience on three visits, he
decided to challenge part of the Wolong Ridge by pretending to be a fog that creates illusions
and causes animals to become violent. Impressed by their efforts to overcome his trial, he joined
them and was found guilty of overthrowing Xiahou Dun in Xinye. In Changban, his magic is
used to expose dust storms that will help disperse Cao Cao's army.

"To counter Cao Cao's invasion, Liu Bei sent Zhuge Liang to persuade Sun Quan to
Jiangdong to form an alliance. Zhuge Liang was able to persuade Sun Quan to form an alliance
with Liu Bei against Cao Cao and stay in Jiangdong because of a temporary adviser. Sun Quan
placed Zhou Yu at the behest of Jiangdong (East Wu) forces to continue against Cao Cao's
invasion.Zhou Yu felt talented that Zhuge Liang would be a threatened the future in East Wu and
tried several times to kill Zhuge, but failed. In the end, there was no choice but to cooperate with
Zhuge Liang for now while Cao Cao's troops were on the border. "

Lui Bei
 is the self-proclaimed emperor and founder of Shu. He was known to have been an
ambitious and charismatic leader who had the affable power to draw people to him. He is
frequently addressed as "Former Master" (先主) rather than by his posthumous title in Record of
the Three Kingdoms. Sun Shangxiang is one of his wives and Liu Shan is his successor.

Chou Yu (Zhou yu)

was a famous militarist and strategist of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period
of China. Portrayed as a jealous & narrow-minded man who relentlessly tried -- and failed - - to
outwit K ’ ung-ming. His famous statement, “ If there is a Zhou Yu, why is there a Kung Ming
(Zhuge Liang)? ” An important advicer in the state of Wu (Sun Quan always listens to him)

Meet Zhou Yu, Wu's finest strategist, loyal officer of the Sun family, and close friend to
both Sun Ce and Sun Quan. Calm and intelligent, Zhou Yu is a wise military tactician who sees
through most of his enemies' ploys.

Zhou Yu is a playable and historical character featured in Total War: Three Kingdoms.
He is one of the Strategist class heroes in Kingdom Wu.