At the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, corrupt officials ruled the court and the people lived in misery. Zhang Jue of Julu led the Yellow Turban rebels in revolt, plunging the land into chaos.
In Zhuo Commandery, Youzhou, lived Liu Bei, a distant kinsman of the Han imperial family who made his living selling straw sandals. Honest and kindhearted, he harbored great ambitions and longed to save the people. One day at the market, Liu Bei saw Zhang Fei selling meat and Guan Yu, who was on the run after killing a local tyrant. The three hit it off at once and talked like old friends.
Liu Bei sighed. “The Han dynasty is falling apart, and treacherous ministers hold sway. I long to uphold justice throughout the land, but I lack the strength to do so.” Zhang Fei boomed, “I may be a butcher, but I’ve got plenty of fire in my veins. I’ll join you in this great undertaking, brother!” Guan Yu added, “I’ve drifted through life for half of it. I’m willing to follow you, elder brother, and face the nation’s crisis together!”
