The Book of Gong Jin's Flourishing Years: Pillar of the Realm, Part One

Zhou Yu, courtesy name Gongjin, was a renowned general of Eastern Wu in the early Three Kingdoms period. This book recounts his deeds from Jian'an 5 to Jian'an 12.

After Sun Ce's death, Zhou Yu returned to Wu Commandery and devoted himself to supporting the young lord, Sun Quan. He refused to send hostages, rooted out spies, put down mountain bandits, and defeated Huang Zu. He was truly a pillar of strength for Jiangdong.

Poem: Zhou Yu of Jiangdong

Thirty-six years of homeland and state, a thousand miles of Eastern Wu's mountains and rivers. At Red Cliffs and Wulin, the mighty river was blocked; a single blaze from Zhu Rong drove back the demons. With laughter and conversation, he brought the fighting to an end.

His lofty ambition soared like a tiger, and though ill, he dared not waste a moment. When the royal banners appeared again in Jing and Xiang, he became a bluebird bearing news of victory. Zhou Yu's name endures as ever.

Mr. Huang Weide's portrayal of Zhou Yu in New Three Kingdoms inspired me in a torrent. This book is grounded in historical records and offers a fresh interpretation of its characters, wholly different from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.