Liu Bei, the Big-Eared Bandit

This is the best Three Kingdoms novel I've ever read. It's seriously good, not a mindless novel. It's amazing; every character has their own thoughts, and the protagonist's growth is also shown!

There's no doubt that this book is exceptionally well-written. What's truly remarkable is that every character in the book has their own soul (spiritual core), and each character's actions are driven by an inner motivation, making me feel as if I would do the same if I were there.

Having read through 100 chapters, I thought I had found a masterpiece comparable to the most romantic work in the Three Kingdoms period. Having read 200 chapters, I realized it had far surpassed that. Its analysis of social structure and contradictions was incredibly insightful. Now, having reached Chapter 277, "Loyal Ministers of the Han Dynasty," we've almost reached the book's first climax.

It's a good book. The writing is good, and the author's insights into history are presented from a very good angle. It's just too realistic. People often think of the Three Kingdoms period as a time of great upheaval and the emergence of many heroes. However, the author reveals a bloody reality to us: while heroes do emerge, so too do people engage in petty and despicable acts.

Currently at chapter 394, here is a map (approximate) showing the power distribution in the fifth year of the Chuping era (193 AD) 🙂 Liu Bei was born in 161 AD, and according to the original history, he could have lived to 63. However, the circumstances in this book are better than in the original, so let's calculate it to 70. The protagonist could still live for another 38 years. 🙂

This book is truly refreshing. It demystifies the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Some of the characters and their explanations are really memorable. For example, Cao Cao, who didn't massacre cities. Why is the Yellow Turban Rebellion considered an uprising? Explanation of Heaven, Earth and Man And then there's the saying, "Powerful families hold the emperor hostage to command him."

The author's plot is quite original and very engaging. The protagonist also has normal values. It is a rare and excellent piece of literature about the Three Kingdoms.

The author's biggest problem is that he has never actually been Liu Bei; he writes entirely based on his imagination, making it impossible for readers to empathize with him. I hope the author can take a more serious approach, go back to 200 AD, and genuinely experience being Liu Bei. Of course, I'll take the female lead; you just need to experience his life.

All I can say is that it's truly well-written, a gem among Three Kingdoms novels I've read, second only to Shenzhou III.

In my later years, I awoke from a startled dream in my tent, a flash of a blade revealing a solitary figure. He angrily asked who was outside the tent, his voice like thunder in the still night breeze. "General Cao Mengde, who conquers the west, is now here to punish the traitors of Han and protect the imperial court!"