Talking About the Three Kingdoms

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a historical novel in chapter-and-verse form, written by Luo Guanzhong in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. Set against the history from the end of the Eastern Han dynasty to the beginning of the Western Jin dynasty, it tells the story of the rivalry among the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu, and Wu.

The novel follows Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and other warlords as they compete for supremacy, while bringing to life many vivid characters, including Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Lü Bu. Beginning with the Oath of the Peach Garden, it recounts major events such as the coalition campaign against Dong Zhuo, the Battle of Red Cliffs, and the establishment of the Three Kingdoms. It portrays the stratagems of war, the passions of heroes, and the turbulence of the age.

Blending historical fact with artistic invention, the work recreates the grandeur of history. Its vivid plot and memorable characters have made it one of China’s Four Great Classical Novels, with a profound influence on later literature, opera, and other fields.