Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
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Copyright © 2014 Ronald C. Iverson
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data in process.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-1437-1 (ebook)
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Dedication
To my son, Winston, and my daughter, Aimee, who, from a toddler’s age to adulthood, were thrilled with my telling and retelling of the stories from this great book.
With sincere gratitude to Yu Sumei for accepting the challenge to work with me to create a new translation of this classic literature with the goal of turning it into an exciting novel. My belief is that it is not just what you say but how you say it. My appreciation to Yu Sumei’s daughter who typed out each page. They worked diligently for two years to produce a uniquely compelling version of this epic work, complete with footnotes for clarification of certain events and words in the text. My gratitude extends to a friend, Shen Li who was instrumental in recommending and introducing me to Yu Sumei.
And certainly a note of gratitude to Cheryl Banks for her suggestions as to improving the look of the book, as well as her many hours of help in preparing this text for printing which ultimately led to its publication.
No dedication would be complete without the mention of my many Chinese and American friends who encouraged me to continue this new translation and share it with the world. May readers enjoy the journey as much or beyond what we have experienced in the production of this classic, which will live in perpetuity.
Ronald C. Iverson
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
List of Main Characters
CHAPTER ONE
Three Heroes Swear Brotherhood at a Feast in the Peach Garden
The Sworn Brothers Render Good Services in Fighting Against the Rebels
CHAPTER TWO
Zhang Fei Thrashes the Inspector in Wrath
He Jin Plots to Kill the Eunuchs in Secret
CHAPTER THREE
Dong Zhuo Silences Ding Yuan at Wenming Gardens
Li Shu Bribes Lu Bu with Lavish Gifts
CHAPTER FOUR
Prince of Chenliu Sits in the Throne to Replace the Deposed Emperor
Cao Cao Presents Dong Zhuo a Sword in an Attempt to Kill Him
CHAPTER FIVE
Many Lords Respond to Cao Cao’s Call Against Dong Zhuo
The Three Brothers Fight with Lu Bu in the Battle at Tigertrap Pass
CHAPTER SIX
Burning the Capital, Dong Zhuo Commits Atrocities
Hiding the Emperor’s Seal, Sun Jian Breaks His Faith
CHAPTER SEVEN
Yuan Shao Fights with Gongsun Zan at River Pan
Sun Jian Crosses the River to Attack Liu Biao
CHAPTER EIGHT
Wang Yun Cleverly Employs the “Chain” Scheme
Dong Zhuo Raises Havoc at Fengyi Pavilion
CHAPTER NINE
Lu Bu Helps Wang Yun Destroy the Tyrant
Li Jue Seeks Counsel from Jia Xu on Attacking the Capital
CHAPTER TEN
Ma Teng Raises an Army to Fight the Rebels
Cao Cao Attacks Xuzhou to Avenge his Father
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Liu Bei Rescues Kong Rong in Beihai
Lu Bu Defeats Cao Cao at Puyang
CHAPTER TWELVE
Prefect Tao Thrice Offers Xuzhou to Liu Bei
Cao Cao Fights a Great Battle Against Lu Bu
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Li Jue and Guo Si Fight a Bloody Battle
Yang Feng and Dong Cheng Rescue the Emperor
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Cao Cao Moves the Throne to Xudu
Lu Bu Raids Xuzhou at Night
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Taishi Ci Fights a Fierce Battle with
Sun Ce Sun Ce Competes with the White Tiger
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Lu Bu Performs a Feat in Archery
Cao Cao Loses a Battle at Yushui River
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Yuan Shu Expeditions Eastward with Seven Divisions
Cao Cao Unites Three Forces to Attack Yuan Shu
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Jia Xu Engineers a Great Victory
Xiahou Dun Loses An Eye
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Cao Cao Assembles His Forces at Xiapi
Lu Bu Perishes at the White Gate Tower
CHAPTER TWENTY
Cao Cao Goes Hunting at Xutian
Dong Cheng Receives a Secret Decree in the Palace
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Cao Cao Brews the Wine and Talks about Heroes
Guan Yu Slays Che Zhou to Regain Xuzhou
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Yuan Shao and Cao Cao Both Take the Field
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei Capture Two Enemy Officers
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Mi Heng Strips and Rails at Cao Cao
Ji Ping Is Tortured for Poisoning Cao Cao
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Cao Cao Kills Lady Dong, the Emperor’s Concubine
Liu Bei Seeks Refuge with Yuan Shao after His Defeat by Cao Cao
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Guan Yu Proposes Three Conditions on Top of a Hill
Cao Cao Breaks the Siege at Baima
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Yuan Shao Is Defeated and Loses His Best Officers
Guan Yu Hangs up the Seal and Abandons Cao Cao’s Gifts
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Guan Yu the Beautiful Beard Travels a Thousand Li
And Slays Six Officers at Five Passes
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Guan Yu Kills Cai Yang to Clear Zhang Fei’s Doubt
Liu Bei Is Reunited with His Followers at Old City
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The Formidable Little Lord Sun Ce Slays Yu Jie in Wrath
The Blue-eyed Sun Quan Takes Control of the East
CHAPTER THIRTY
Yuan Shao Is Defeated at Guandu
Cao Cao Burns the Wuchao Granary
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Cao Cao Overcomes Yuan Shao at Changting
Liu Bei Seeks Shelter with Liu Biao
C
HAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Yuan Shang Strives for the Rule of Jizhou
Xu You Schemes to Flood the Zhang River
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Cao Pi Takes Advantage of Confusion to Find a Wife
Guo Jia Leaves a Plan After Death for Settling Liaodong
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Lady Cai Overhears a Secret
Liu Bei Leaps Over a Stream
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Liu Bei Meets a Recluse at Nanyang
Shan Fu Finds a Noble Lord at Xinye
About the Authors
Back Cover
List of Main Characters
Cai Mao—brother-in-law of Liu Biao
Cao Cao (Cao Meng-de, A.D. 155–220)—prime minister to Emperor Xian, controls the real power of the state; later created Duke of Wei, Prince of Wei and posthumously, Emperor Wu of Wei Dynasty
Cao Hong—cousin of Cao Cao and senior officer under him
Cao Pi (A.D. 187–226)—second son of Cao Cao, later first emperor (Emperor Wen) of Wei Dynasty, which he established in A.D. 220
Cao Ren—cousin of Cao Cao and senior officer under him
Cao Rui—son of Cao Pi, later Emperor Ming of Wei
Cao Shuang—son of Cao Zhen, enemy of Sima Yi
Cao Zhen—senior officer of Wei
Cao Zhi (Cao Zi-jian, A.D. 192–232)—favorite son of Cao Cao and a famed poet
Chen Deng—advisor to Lu Bu but later plots his destruction
Chen Gong—chief advisor to Lu Bu
Chen Lin—notable scholar, first served as advisor to Yuan Shao but later surrendered to Cao Cao
Chen Wu—senior officer of Wu
Cheng Pu—senior officer of Wu
Cheng Yu—advisor to Cao Cao
Deng Ai—commander of the forces of Wei after Sima Yi
Dian Wei—bodyguard to Cao Cao
Diao Chan (Sable Cicada)—singing girl at Wang Yun’s house, who helps her master destroy Dong Zhuo; concubine of Lu Bu
Ding Feng—senior officer of Wu
Dong Cheng—general of Han and relative to the imperial house, who receives the secret edict from Emperor Xian to assassinate Cao Cao
Dong Zhuo—governor of Hedong, later establishes himself as prime minister of Han; set up Emperor Xian in place of his brother, Emperor Shao, in order to build his own power
Emperor Shao (Liu Bian)—son of Emperor Ling and Empress He, deposed and murdered by Dong Zhuo
Emperor Xian (Liu Xie)—brother of Emperor Shao, a puppet ruler controlled by his ministers; deposed by Cao Pi in A.D. 220 (r. A.D. 189–220)
Empress Dowager He—mother of Emperor Shao, sister of He Jin; murdered by Dong Zhuo
Fa Zheng—Liu Zhang’s official who helped Liu Bei acquire the rule of Shu
Feng Ji—advisor to Yuan Shao, enemy of Tian Feng
Gan Ning (Gan Xin-ba)—senior officer of Wu, famed for his bravery
Gao Shun—officer under Lu Bu
Gongsun Zan—patron of Liu Bei and one of the seventeen lords who join forces to wage war on Dong Zhuo; commits suicide after being destroyed by Yuan Shao
Guan Lu, famous sage
Guan Ping—adopted son of Guan Yu, killed by Sun Quan
Guan Xing—elder son of Guan Yu
Guan Yu (Guan Yun-chang, A.D. ?–219)—sworn brother of Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, Lord of Hanshou, famed for his valor and rectitude; respected greatly by Cao Cao
Guo Jia (Guo Feng-xiao)—trusted advisor to Cao Cao
Guo Si—fellow rebel with Li Jue after the downfall of Dong Zhuo
Guo Tu—advisor to Yuan Shao and later to his eldest son Yuan Tan
Han Dang—senior officer of Wu
Han Sui—warrior from the northwest, sworn brother of Ma Teng
He Jin—brother of Empress Dowager He and commander of Han forces; murdered by eunuchs
Hua Tuo—famous physician who cures Zhou Tai and Guan Yu; killed by Cao Cao
Hua Xin—senior official under Cao Cao and Cao Pi, notorious for his cruelty toward Empress Fu
Huang Gai (Huang Gong-fu)—senior officer of Wu, whose false defection to Cao Cao plays a key role in the Battle of the Red Cliff
Huang Zhong (Huang Han-sheng)—veteran warrior, joins Liu Bei after the latter’s seisure of Changsha
Huang Zu—commanding officer under Liu Biao
Ji Ling—commanding officer under Yuan Shu
Ji Ping—physician of Han court, killed by Cao Cao after failing to poison him
Jia Xu—resourceful strategist, advisor first to Li Jue and Guo Si, then to Zhang Xiu, and finally to Cao Cao
Jian Yong—advisor to Liu Bei
Jiang Gan—official under Cao Cao, an old friend of Zhou Yu’s
Jiang Wei (Jiang Bo-yue)—successor to Zhuge Liang as commander-in-chief of Shu forces
Kan Ze—senior advisor of Wu, who delivers Huang Gai’s false letter of defection to Cao Cao
Kong Rong—notable Han scholar, descendant of Confucius, Prefect of Beihai; later killed by Cao Cao for his outspokenness
Kuai Yue—advisor to Liu Biao
Lady Cai—second wife of Liu Biao, sister of Cai Mao
Lady Gan—wife of Liu Bei, mother of Liu Shan (A Dou)
Lady Liu—wife of Yuan Shao and mother of Yuan Shang
Lady Mi—wife of Liu Bei, sister of Mi Zhu and Mi Fang
Lady Sun—wife of Liu Bei and sister of Sun Quan
Li Dian—officer under Cao Cao
Li Jue—chief rebel after the downfall of Dong Zhuo
Liao Hua—officer of Shu under Guan Yu
Lin Tong—officer of Wu
Liu Bei (Liu Xuan-de, A.D. 161–223)—descendant of the imperial house, sworn brother of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, later Prince of Hangzhong and first ruler of the kingdom of Shu
Liu Biao (Liu Jin-sheng, A.D. 142–208)—Prefect of Jingzhou, who gives shelter to Liu Bei and leaves in his care his two sons, Liu Qi and Liu Zong
Liu Qi—elder son of Liu Biao; hated by his stepmother Lady Cai
Liu Shan (A Dou, A.D. 207–271)—eldest son of Liu Bei, second ruler of Shu (r. A.D. 223–263)
Liu Ye—senior advisor to Cao Cao
Liu Zhang—Governor of Yizhou, later overthrown by his kinsman Liu Bei
Liu Zong—younger son of Liu Biao; killed with his mother, Lady Cai, by Cao Cao
Lu Bu (Lu Feng-xian)—valiant warrior, adopted son first of Ding Yuan and later of Dong Zhuo, both of whom die at his hands; killed by Cao Cao
Lu Meng (Lu Zi-ming)—senior officer of Wu; succeeds Lu Su as commander-in-chief of forces
Lu Shang—chief counselor to King Wen of Zhou and his son King Wu, who founded the Zhou Dynasty
Lu Su (Lu Zi-jing)—chief advisor of Wu, successor to Zhou Yu as commander-in-chief; advocates alliance with Liu Bei against Cao Cao
Lu Xun (Lu Bo-yan)—son-in-law of Sun Ce; succeeds Lu Meng as commander-in-chief of Wu forces to foil Liu Bei’s attack
Lu Zhi—Han general who commands an imperial force in the suppression of the Yellow Turban Uprising
Ma Chao (Ma Meng-qi)—son of Ma Teng, later one of Liu Bei’s Five Tiger Generals
Ma Dai—cousin of Ma Chao, officer of Shu
Ma Liang—advisor to Liu Bei, brother of Ma Su
Ma Su (Ma You-chang)—advisor to Liu Bei, younger brother of Ma Liang; put to death after the fall of Jieting
Ma Teng—Han general, loyal to the House of Han; killed by Cao Cao
Man Chong—advisor to Cao Cao, who persuades Xu Huang to submit to Cao Cao
Meng Da—good friend of Fa Zheng and Zhang Song; assists Liu Bei in conquering Shu
Mi Fang—brother of Lady Mi and Mi Zhu, who fails to rescue Guan Yu and is later killed by Liu Bei
Mi Zhu—brother of Lady Mi and Mi Fang, loyal follower of Liu Bei
Pan Zhang—senior officer under Sun Quan
Pang De—formerly serves under Ma Chao but later joins Cao Cao; killed by Guan Yu
Pang Tong (Pang Shi-yuan, or Phoenix Fle
dgeling)—chief strategist in the Battle of the Red Cliffand later advisor to Liu Bei
Shen Pei—advisor to Yuan Shao, and later his youngest son Yuan Shang
Sima Yan—grandson of Sima Yi; first emperor of Jin Dynasty after forcing the abdication of Cao Huan, last emperor of Wei Dynasty
Sima Yi (Sima Zhong-da)—advisor to Cao Cao, father of Sima Zhao, who later overthrows Wei Dynasty and establishes Jin Dynasty
Sima Zhao—son of Sima Yi, father of Sima
Sun Ce (Sun Bo-fu, A.D. 175–200)—eldest son of Sun Jian, brother of Sun Quan; enlarges the territory he inherits from his father east of the Yangtze River; later assassinated
Sun Jian (Sun Wen-tai, A.D. 155–191)—founder of Wu and father of Sun Ce and Sun Quan; killed by Liu Biao’s men
Sun Qian—senior counselor to Liu Bei
Sun Quan (Sun Zhong-mou, A.D. 182–252)—second son of Sun Jian and brother of Sun Ce; succeeds them to be ruler of the land of Wu and later Emperor of Wu (r. A.D. 229–252)
Taishi Ci—valiant warrior of Wu
Tao Qian—Prefect of Xuzhou, who yields his district to Liu Bei
Tian Feng—advisor to Yuan Shao
Wang Ping—officer of Shu
Wang Yun—senior official of the Han court, who instigates the “chain” scheme to destroy Dong Zhuo, but is later killed by Li Jue and Guo Si
Wei Yan (Wei Wen-chang)—senior officer under Liu Bei, later commander of Hanzhong; distrusted by Zhuge Liang
Wen Chou—general under Yuan Shao, slain by Guan Yu
Xiahou Ba—son of Xiahou Yuan, cousin of Xiahou Dun
Xiahou Dun—senior officer in the service of Cao Cao
Xiahou Yuan—senior officer in the service of Cao Cao; later killed by Huang Zhong
Xu Chu—bodyguard of Cao Cao
Xu Huang—senior officer in the service of Cao Cao
Xu Sheng—senior officer of Wu
Xu You—advisor first to Yuan Shao and later to Cao Cao; killed by Xu Chu
Xun You—advisor to Cao Cao, nephew of Xun Yu
Xun Yu (Xun Wen-ruo)—senior advisor to Cao Cao
Yan Liang—general under Yuan Shao, slain by Guan Yu
Yang Feng—officer under Li Jue, but later leaves him to serve Emperor Xian; killed by Liu Bei
Yi Ji—advisor to Liu Biao first, but later joins Liu Bei, to whom he exposes Cai Mao’s plot to harm him
Yu Fan—advisor to Sun Quan
Yu Jin—senior officer under Cao Cao
Yuan Shang—youngest son of Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao (Yuan Ben-chu, A.D. ?–202)—born into a family of high-ranking officials of Han; leader of a confederacy army against Dong Zhuo; rules four northern districts but is later destroyed by Cao Cao