The Shu Han Dynasty

At the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, the Yellow Turban Rebellion breaks out. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei swear brotherhood in the Peach Garden and distinguish themselves fighting the rebels. Later, they join the eighteen warlords in their campaign against Dong Zhuo, and the three heroes make their names battling Lü Bu.

As warlords carve up the land and fight among themselves, Cao Cao brings Emperor Xian to Xudu and uses the emperor to command the lords. After crushing Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu, he successively eliminates Lü Bu, Yuan Shu, and other rivals, uniting the north. Liu Bei wanders without a place to call his own. After visiting Zhuge Liang three times at his thatched cottage, he persuades him to enter his service. Zhuge Liang's Longzhong Plan lays out a strategy to divide the realm into three.

Cao Cao leads a massive army south, while Zhuge Liang allies with Wu to resist him. The combined forces of Sun and Liu use fire to rout Cao Cao's army at Red Cliffs, and the foundations of the Three Kingdoms take shape. Liu Bei seizes the opportunity to take Jingzhou and advance into western Shu, capturing Yi Province and Hanzhong before proclaiming himself King of Hanzhong. His power reaches its peak.

Guan Yu, who is guarding Jingzhou, launches the campaign at Xiangyang and Fancheng. He floods and defeats seven armies, captures Yu Jin, and kills Pang De, earning fame throughout China. Cao Cao nearly moves the capital to avoid his advance. But Sun Quan unexpectedly allies with Cao Cao, and Lü Meng crosses the river in disguise to launch a surprise attack on Jingzhou. Attacked from both sides, Guan Yu is defeated and retreats to Maicheng, where he is trapped with no way out.