Cao Cao in a Chaotic Age

A sweeping alternate-history tale of political intrigue. Told from Cao Cao's perspective, it follows his survival of the devastating defeat at Wancheng, his welcoming of the emperor, pacification of the north, contest for Jingzhou, defeat at Red Cliffs, and elevation to Prince of Wei. In the end, he fails to unify the realm with his own hands, but leaves behind order, institutions, talented people, and the soul of a poet in a time of chaos.

The novel neither whitewashes nor caricatures him. Cao Cao is a poet, commander, and politician, but also a suspicious, lustful, ruthless, and lonely man.