三国演义

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, court corruption and successive years of famine led to the outbreak of the Yellow Turban Rebellion. In Zhuo Commandery, Liu Bei encountered Zhang Fei and Guan Yu. The three shared common aspirations and swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden. After achieving military merits, Liu Bei was appointed as the county captain of Anxi County. When the supervising courier arrived to demand bribes, Zhang Fei flogged him. The Governor of Xiliang, Dong Zhuo, received an edict to enter the capital. Lü Bu killed Ding Yuan and presented his head to Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo deposed the young emperor and installed the Prince of Chenliu as Emperor Xian. Cao Cao’s attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo failed, and he disguised himself to flee. Returning to Chenliu, he spent his wealth to recruit troops and, using a forged imperial decree, summoned the feudal lords to crusade against Dong Zhuo. Eighteen feudal lords formed an alliance with a blood oath to attack Dong Zhuo. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—the three heroes—battled Lü Bu. Defeated, Dong Zhuo moved the capital to Chang’an. Cao Cao led troops to attack Dong Zhuo but was defeated by Lü Bu and fled to Yangzhou. After the alliance dissolved, Yuan Shao returned to Bohai and seized control of Ji Province. Yuan Shao fought Gongsun Zan at Pan River, and Gongsun Zan was defeated. Sun Jian crossed the river to attack Liu Biao. Following Kuai Liang’s strategy, Liu Biao set an ambush and killed Sun Jian with volleys of arrows. Sun Ce exchanged Huang Zu for his father’s body and returned to Jiangdong. In Chang’an, Dong Zhuo killed indiscriminately. Wang Yun and Diaochan secretly devised a chain scheme, using Lü Bu to kill Dong Zhuo. Li Jue and Guo Si, denied pardon, besieged Chang’an and killed Wang Yun. Zhang Kai, a subordinate of Tao Qian, murdered Cao Cao’s father. To avenge his father, Cao Cao personally attacked Tao Qian. Liu Bei aided Tao Qian, and Tao Gongzu three times yielded Xuzhou to him. Cao Cao recaptured Yan Province, defeated Lü Bu, and seized Dingtao. Lü Bu sought refuge with Liu Bei and stationed at Xiaopei. Guo Si kidnapped the emperor, but Dong Cheng and others rescued him. Cao Cao escorted the emperor to Xudu. Liu Bei attacked Yuan Shu but had Xuzhou raided by Lü Bu. Liu Bei garrisoned at Xiaopei. Lü Bu shot his halberd at the camp gate, causing Yuan Shu’s general Ji Ling to cease attacking Liu Bei. Yuan Shu declared himself emperor. Cao Cao, wielding the emperor’s authority, launched a campaign against Yuan Shu. Zhang Xiu followed Jia Xu’s advice and surrendered to Cao Cao, but later turned against him after Cao Cao took his uncle’s wife, Lady Zou, by force, launching a night raid that defeated Cao Cao. Zhang Xiu pursued the victory and allied with Liu Biao to attack Cao Cao, but Cao Cao employed unexpected tactics and defeated the allied forces. Forced to return to defend Xudu due to Yuan Shao’s surprise attack, Cao Cao withdrew. Chen Gong intercepted letters from Liu Bei colluding with Cao Cao, leading Lü Bu to attack Liu Bei. Cao Cao dispatched troops to aid Liu Bei, heavily defeating Lü Bu at Xiaoguan and cleverly capturing Xuzhou. Lü Bu was hanged at the White Gate Tower. Cao Cao returned triumphantly to Xudu, presenting Liu Bei to Emperor Xian, who recognized Liu Bei as his uncle. Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, the Governor of Xiliang Ma Teng, and others secretly signed a loyal pact, biding their time. They contacted Liu Bei to join the uprising. Cao Cao discussed heroes over warm wine, and Liu Bei used the pretext of intercepting Yuan Shu to break away from Cao Cao. Liu Bei gained control of Xuzhou. Mi Zhengping stripped naked, beat the drums, and cursed Cao Cao. Cao Cao sent Mi Zhengping to persuade Liu Biao to surrender. Mi Zhengping was executed by Huang Zu. Dong Cheng and the imperial physician Ji Ping conspired to poison Cao Cao but were betrayed. The Girdle Edict was discovered, and Ji Ping dashed himself against the steps and died. Dong Cheng and over seven hundred others, along with Consort Dong, were executed. Cao Cao divided his forces into five routes and marched directly on Xuzhou to attack Liu Bei. Zhang Fei fled to Mangdang Mountain. Liu Bei went to Qingzhou and sought refuge with Yuan Shao. Guan Yu and Zhang Liao made a three-part agreement at Tush