Now come back to Xu Chang, the capital, in order to earn Guan Yu’s loyalty, Cao Cao gave many expensive gifts to Guan Yu as to congratulate him promoted became a General of Cao Cao.

However, Guan Yu gave the gifts to Liu Bei’s wife. Cao Cao did not angry when he knew that. Instead, he gave the red horse to Guan Yu. This red horse can run 1,000 miles per day. Since Cao Cao defeated Lu Bu, the horse turned wild and nobody can tame it, but Guan Yu did it. After Cao Cao granted the horse to Guan Yu, he was very grateful and said, with this powerful horse, he can find his brother Liu Bei, a lot faster. Cao Cao was very frustrated, even he has been so generous to Guan Yu, yet he didn’t seem touched anyway.

To Guan Yu, Cao Cao can only give him gifts. On the other hand, Liu Bei’s heart and his heart are connected as one. He will not lose his focus just because of a horse or the luxury gifts. He will never forget their brotherhood oath. However, he told Zhang Liao, at the same time Cao Cao’s kindness to him, he will also never forget. To repay his kindness, he is willing to go to war on the Prime Minister’s side. In order to retain Guan Yu, Cao Cao refused to bring him to war. Because he afraid that after repaying his kindness, Guan Yu will leave him.

After the fall of Xu Zhou, Liu Bei ran to Yuan Shao in Ji Zhou to ask for help. He approached Yuan Shao in He Bei to ally against the ever expanding Cao Cao. One day, Yuan Shao granted 200,000 men to Yan Liang to attack Cao Cao in He Bei. After Yan Liang served as vanguard to attack Cao Cao, he marched toward the area called the wilderness of Bai Ma. Liu Bei also went there along which he departed soon after.

The news of Yuan Shao army’s arrival soon reached Cao Cao. Cao Cao immediately split his army into two. He put Xiahou dun in charge of Xu Chang to defense, while he himself led the army of 150,000 to Bai Ma. After Guan Yu got this news, he voluntary asked Cao Cao to send him for this battle in order to repay his kindness. However, his offer was refused by Cao Cao.

After the two armies struggled for a while, the enemy’s vanguard finally broke through. General Yan Liang led his army wreaked havoc in all directions, fiercely massacred Cao Cao’s troops as they go. Song Xian and Wei Xu’s troops were easily routed by Yan Liang. Since this condition is getting worse, Cao Cao has no choice but he has to ask Guan Yu to go for the war.

After receiving the order, Guan Yu immediately rode his Red Horse alone to the battlefield. Without knowing that Liu Bei is actually resides with Yuan Shao, Guan Yu successfully killed Yan Liang in the battlefield.

That night Yuan Shao was very angry. Liu Bei was almost beheaded by Yuan Shao because Yan Liang was killed by Guan Yu. A warrior with a long beard wielding a halberd that’s what they thought he was Guan Yu. Liu Bei defended himself by saying that many warriors has long beard and it’s probably Cao Cao’s man to trick Yuan Shao killing him. Since no one personally witness Guan Yu killed Yan Liang, Yuan Shao then asked Wen Chou to be the vanguard and Liu Bei join Wen Chou for the next battle to find out the actual warrior who killed Yan Liang.

Wen Chou, the main vanguard, chose to course through the Yellow river (Huang He to the destination. Liu Bei, as the second in command, is closely following him. Although Wen Chou is as strong as Yan Liang, he is not that cleaver. Cao Cao ordered to dispatch a few troops to transport some rations and keep following them but not too close. This is to lure Wen Chou to rob the cargo away. Once the cargo attacked by Wen Chou, Cao Cao asked his general to divide the army into two and prepare a pincer attack between the north and south.

Wen Chou’s troops were completely defeated. However, he managed to run away with one of his men. On his way back to Yuan Shao’s camp, both of the met Guan Yu. And this time, his man witness Guan Yu killed Wen Chou personally. Without reluctance, this man brought Liu Bei to place where Guan Yu killed Wen Chou, because Liu Bei wants to see Guan Yu’s face personally. Thus, they managed to see him but did not call him because there were Cao Cao’s troops there.

This time Liu Bei has no excused but he managed to explain that since he left Xu Zhou, he did not know whether Guan Yu is dead or alive. Guan Yu must not be aware that he was resides with Yuan Shao. He will persuade Guan Yu to come over Yuan Shao’s side. He will use Guan Yu as to replace Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

Jing Zhou, in this time of chaos, is relatively calm compared to other states. Thanks to the leadership of its governor, Liu Biao, it becomes a very prosperous state. Therefore, many scholars flock in this region. One of them was the infamous Master Sima Hui, whose nickname was Shui Jing (Still Water). Sima Hui was a very famous teacher in the entire Han Kingdom. He teaches in his house, where his students gather to listen to his lessons.

This is a chaotic time indeed. After Liu Bei’s defeated, nobody knows whereabouts him. Therefore, Cao Cao may turn his attention to either Yuan Shao or Liu Biao in Jing Zhou. One day, in Master Shui Jing’s house, he asked his student, who will eventually hold the entire power? All his students voted Cao Cao as their best candidate except Kong Ming (Zhuge Liang) has different opinion with them.

As in his opinion, although the Emperor’s star doesn’t shine brightly, there were three other bright stars before Cao Cao’s star. The struggle of this empire has just begun. Everyone was curious about who were the three stars that Kong Ming mentioned just now. Then, he continued, the first star belongs to Yuan Shao in Ji Zhou, the second one belongs to Sun Quan in Wu. Nevertheless, Yuan Shao’s star has no prospect. Kong Ming did not mention who was the third one but only explained that he hasn’t showed up yet. “As I gaze upon the sky, as the sun grows dim. The cosmos bears three stars, brightly shine onto the earth”. That was Kong Ming’s favorite poem. It was the poem from the ancient Qi Kingdom.

18 years ago, in the autumn of 180 A.D. The entire China was engulfed in a solar eclipse. That was in Xu Zhou state. Broad daylight was suddenly turned into darkness. This is why paranormal at the time foretold the age of caos. Kong Ming was born just when the sun is out of the eclipse. To his father (Zhuge Gui), it was a very good sign. Since the sunlight starts shining again, he gave him the name “Liang” (means “light/ bright”). And also call him Kong Ming (Piercing Light) as for this style name.

When Kong Ming was 3 years old at 184 A.D., China fell into a peasant started rebellion called the Yellow Turbans. A religious leader, Zhang Jiao, managed to gather hundreds and thousands of followers. In his attempt to overthrow the Han dynasty, China fell into a great chaos. As when the ravaging army of the Yellow Turbans entered Xu Zhou, countless of innocents fell became victim.

Kong Ming was deeply saddened due to his nanny killed by the Yellow Turbans. He was especially sad because he personally witnessed how she died. Since that happened, Kong Ming was taught not to be dependent upon others in his life.

Soon after, Yellow Turban rebellion was suppressed. However, Han dynasty didn’t go out of the caos. The imperial court was then promoted the dictator Prime Minister Dong Zhuo, who soon made Luo Yang in constant fear. Growing tired of Dong Zhuo dictatorship, a coalition army was formed to attack him in Luo Yang.

Gongsun Zan was the one who first led the troops to attack Dong Zhuo. The main area they attacked was Si Shui gate and Hu Lao gate. However, he almost killed by Dong Zhuo’s stepson Lu Bu. Zhang Fei managed to safe Gongsun Zan in the battlefield.

After Lu Bu defeated by the three brothers, the prowess of the three brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were witnessed by all. Dong Zhuo was finally forced to leave Luo Yang.

At this time, Kong Ming was brought to Luo Yang by his elder brother, Zhuge Jin. The fall of Luo Yang frontiers, Si Shui gate and Hu Lao gate greatly demoralized Dong Zhuo’s army. He then decided to move the capital from Luo Yang to Chang Ann because of the strength of the coalition army.

The relocating to Chang An requires a tremendous amount of funds, thus, Dong Zuo decided to raise taxes and confiscate all money and valuable goods from the people for this purpose. In just few days time, the capital suddenly turned into hell. However, Kong Ming Predicted that Dong Zhuo won’t live very long, because he has done so many crimes. He knew that someone will rise up and kill that dictator.

Two years after Dong Zhuo moved the capital to Chang An, Dong Zhuo’s dictatorship was getting weak and many attempt to murder him secretly including Cao Cao.

Diao Chan was one of them sent by his father in order to break the ties between Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu.

As Dong Zhuo was mesmerized with Diao Chan’s beauty, he never realized that it was a trap because Lu Bu at the same time also falls in love with Diao Chan.

Armed with a sweet little smile, the lady’s struggle is about to begin. One day, Lu Bu finally decided to kill Dong Zhuo by giving an excused that he received an ordered by Emperor to kill him. And that was what the young Kong Ming said and it became a reality.

After the notorious tyrant, Dong Zhuo died, another stage of chaos began. The remnants of the Yellow Turban started to act up again. The current emperor, Emperor Xian, gave an order to suppress the rebellion. Kong Ming father, Zhuge Gui, was one of those ordered to suppress the rebellion. Zhuge Gui was injured during his fight in the battlefield. Soon after, Zhuge Gui passed away. With his father’s last words, Kong Ming began his journey in this chaotic world. That was study military book hard to end this chaos.

The next year after his father murdered, the enraged of Cao Cao from Yan Zhou tried to invade Xu Zhou. The battle of supremacy among the heroes started with this small incident in Xu Zhou. Cao Cao’s million man army put Xu Zhou under siege. Zhuge Liang, and his uncle Zhuge Xuan in his flight to avoid war was also there.

Six years later, in 199 A.D., Kong Ming moved to Xiang Yang in Jing Zhou. He works in the fields when the weather is good. If it’s rainy, he stays at home studying books. Kong Ming wants to find the hero that shares his ideal in order to end the chaotic world. Kong Ming indeed is the third star that he did not mentioned earlier while in the classroom’s discussion.

Zhang Fei has no choice but to work out a strategy to trick Liu Dai. He told everyone to have a night raid over their enemy. However, Zhang Fei can’t wait until he win over Liu Dai. He started drank wine with the peasants. He drank until he drunk and lashed his soldier. That night, his soldier that beaten by Zhang Fei ran to Liu Dai’s camp and surrender with the reason that he wanted to revenge on Zhang Fei. Liu Dai finally decided, to attack Zhang Fei.

Before Liu Dai managed to reach Zhang Fei’s camp, Zhang Fei’s armies suddenly came out and surrounded them. And that’s how Liu Dai was being captured. The soldier being beaten was actually under Zhang Fei’s plan to trick Liu Dai. From Liu Dai’s mouth, Prime Minister was indeed marching toward Xu Zhou to attack Liu Bei.

These two Generals however were treated well by Liu Bei which hoping that Cao Cao will have a different attitude toward Liu Bei. Once they returned to Xu Chang to inform non-hostile intent of Liu Bei, Cao Cao was very furious and decided to attack Liu Bei.

Meanwhile, in the capital Xu Chang, Emperor Xian’s secret edict to murder Cao Cao was exposed. All those involved and the ones who signed the edict with their blood were captured and executed except Liu Bei. This rose up Cao Cao’s desire to kill Liu Bei.

Cao Cao personally led 200,000 men to Xu Zhou in 5 detachments, marching from Shandong. When this news alerted Liu Bei, he quickly asked Yuan Shao in Ji Zhou for reinforcements. However, Yuan Shao was regretting to help Liu Bei. This was due to Yuan Shao’s grandson was about to die. No one was allowed to hunt. That’s why he ordered not to send troops.

Liu Bei has no choice but decided to defend themselves. He entrust his wife to Guan yu in Xia Pi, while he himself and Zhang Fei guards Xiao Pei City. Zhang Fei then suggested raiding them and robbing their horses. They plan to hit Cao Cao’s troops in one hit and coordinate attack with Guan Yu from Xia Pi to finish them off.

On that night, a southeastern wind blew and breaks Cao Cao’s flag. This wind alerted Cao Cao, it probably indicated a night raid by Liu Bei. Thus, Cao Cao ordered to prepare for the raid. Cao Cao’s troops pretend to sleep exhausted that night. When Liu Bei and Zhang Fei attack Cao Cao in the camp, they were trapped. Because no one was in the camp.

Suddenly, they heard Cao Cao’s troops came from surrounding area. Liu Bei Lost Xu Zhou that night but he managed to escape. Now, Xu Zhou is completely under Cao Cao’s control. Guan Yu in Xia Pi also threatened. Xia Pi’s fall is only a matter of time. Meanwhile, Liu Bei is on his way to Ji Zhou to request Yuan Shao’s help personally.

Chen Gui and Chen Deng was executed by Cao Cao after Xu Zhou fall into Cao Cao’s control. After this raid, nobody knows where about Liu Bei. About Xia Pi, Cao Cao admired Guan Yu every much for his bravery, prowess and honesty, so he wants to capture guan yu and recruit him as his general. Thus Cao Cao appointed General Zhang Liao to talk to Guan Yu since Zhang Liao has good relationship with Guan Yu. At the same time lure Guan Yu out of Xia Pi. Once he’s isolated, they can easily capture Xia Pi. If Guan Yu knew that Liu Be’s whereabouts is unclear he would certainly fall to this trap.

By knowing that Liu Bei and Zhang Fei were fled and missing Guan Yu was very worried and went out to search for his brothers. However, he met Xiahou Dun (Cao Cao’s General) both of them fight on the spot and few minutes later, Xu Zhu also Cao Cao’s General came from behind and attacked Guan Yu. Guan Yu thus knew that he is tricked and because no general was in the Xia Pi city, Guan Yu then ran to the forest and that’s the place where Zhang Liao has chance to talk to him.

Zhang Liao tried to persuade Guan Yu surrender by telling him that Prime Minister ordered them to treat Liu Be’s wife well. However, Guan Yu was very stubborn and said a warrior should die in the battlefield and not to simply surrender to his enemy. Zhang Liao then continued by saying that Guan Yu didn’t realize he has committed to three offenses. First, he didn’t know whether Liu Bei was alive or dead if he died, he violated his brotherhood oath. Second, since he were entrusted with his lords wife how dare he avoid that duty and third, right now the emperor needed his help to restore this dynasty and if he died he will fail his first and foremost duty.

Thus Guan Yu realized that he serves no purpose at all if he died like in the battlefield like that. He then rose up three conditions. He will only follow Cao Cao if Cao Cao agree the three conditions. First, he do not surrender to Cao Cao, he surrender to the han dynasty. Second, he must be allowed to protect his lord’s wife personally and third, if he knows Liu Bei’s whereabouts, no matter what happens he has to leave Cao Cao. Without these three conditions he would rather die in shame for the three offenses that Zhang Liao mentioned earlier.

When Zhang Liao feedback the three conditions to Cao Cao, Cao Cao was not really agreed with the third condition as he might leave him if he knows Liu Bei is still alive. But he has no choice because he admired Guan Yu so much. He will only try to win Guan Yu’s heart over Liu Bei before Guan Yu managed to find Liu Be.

On that night, Guan Yu asked Cao Cao’s troops retreat 30 miles away from the Xia Pi city and nobody is allowed to come close. He then back to Xia Pi city to ensure Liu Be’s wife is safe. Later, he guarded Liu Be’s wife to Xiao Pei to meet Cao Cao. Again, Guan Yu confirms with Cao Cao the three conditions in front of Cao Cao when he met him. After confirmation, Guan Yu then brought Liu Bei’s wife to the Capital and follow the Prime Minister. Cao Cao lifelong wish has come true the great warrior Guan Yu is now under his service.

One night, Chen Deng from Xu Zhou came to Xiao Pei City. Liu Bei was not around that night as he was patrolling toward the Xia Pi City area and will be back to Xiao Pei City the next day. Chen Deng however forward the message to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei that Prime Minister ordered General Che Zhou to attack Xiao Pei City.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were very angry. Thus, they decided to attack Che Zhou without Liu Bei’s consent. Chen Deng came out with a trick that use Cao Cao’s banners and pose as Cao Cao’s men to ask General Che Zhou to open the gates. The raid in that night was successful and General Che Zhou was killed by Guan Yu.

When Liu Bei back from patrolling, he was very disappointed to see such a decision because they attacked the city without his permission. He was afraid that by attacking Che Zhou, they will make Cao Cao their enemy. They are in a weak position to fight with Cao Cao and do not have the strength to repel Cao Cao if he come back to revenge.

Chen Deng then, came out with a plan to join Yuan Shao. Because of Liu Bei’s friendship with Zheng Xuan, Yuan Shao is coming to help Liu Bei with 100,000 men to face Cao Cao. Meanwhile, Cao Cao was aware of the situation. He Immediately led his 200,000 men to Hua Bei. At the same time, the Prime Minister ordered Liu Dai and Wang Zhong attack Liu Bei.

Cao Cao asked Liu Dai and Wang Zhong bear his Prime Minister’s flags. When Liu Bei knows it’s Cao Cao’s flags and banner, he won’t attack them because Liu Bei knows Cao Cao’s strength. At the same time, Cao Cao will deal with Yuan Shao and he thought he can finish Liu Bei if everything done smoothly. However, Yuan Shao’s army managed to confuse Cao Cao’s plan. Thus, Cao Cao was forced to return to Xu Chang.

Liu Dai and Wang Zhong indeed don’t dare to fight with Liu Bei, because Liu Bei’s General is stronger than them. After 3 months of inspections, Liu Bei felt like being cheated because Liu Dai and Wang Zhong only put up Cao Cao’s flags without further actions. Finally, Liu Bei decided to order Guan Yu attack their enemy immediately. During this raid, Wang Zhong was captured by Guan Yu.

After Wang Zhong being captured, Liu Bei learnt from him that was actually Cao Cao’s trick and in fact, Cao Cao’s troops were not nearby. By knowing this news, Liu Bei decided again to capture Liu Dai. Without these two General, the enemy can’t fight at all. This time Zhang Fei insisted to take this task to capture Liu Dai. Liu Bei afraid that Zhang Fei might mess up everything as he can easily get provoked. After a few times Zhang Fei persuade Liu Bei and promised he won’t kill Liu Dai, Liu Bei finally agreed Zhang Fei to take this task.

When Zhang Fei and his team march towards Liu Dai, Liu Dai is like a coward, he dare not challenge Zhang Fei instead he only defense his enemy. Thus, Zhang Fei decided to scold Liu Dai and ask his team member to shout “Liu Dai coward” by hoping that Liu Dai will come out to fight. However, there was not response after a while of shouting.

After Lu Bu killed by Cao Cao (Prime Minister), Cao Cao took Liu Bei and his brothers to return to the capital. However, Cao Cao did not expect this would change the fate of the Han emperor. Cao Cao never knew that Liu Bei is son of Liu Hong which is the descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongsahn, Liu Sheng. He is same clan with the Emperor. Which means he is Emperor’s Uncle. Liu Bei was awarded with the “General of the Left” and the “Duke of Yi Cheng” by the Emperor.

The hunting season in Xu Tian began with full vigor. Cao Cao always sticks with the Emperor to find out which brave and loyal generals side with the Emperior. On that day, the arrogant Cao Cao embarrassed the Emperor in front of his officers. Therefore, this made the Emperor very angry and thus, he gave a secret edict to kill Cao Cao to his loyal aide, Dong Cheng.

Shortly, all the loyal warriors signed the Emperor decree with their blood, swearing loyalty to the Emperor. One day, Dong Cheng visited Liu Bei’s house. He asked Liu Bei to assist Emperor to kill Cao Cao. Without thinking twice, Liu Bei immediately agreed and signed the Emperor decree.

Upon hearing the news that Yuan Shao killed Gongsun Zan in a battle, Liu Bei was saddened as he lost his best friend. Meanwhile, Liu Bei has decided to leave Cao Cao. With the pretext to prevent the alliance between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, Liu Bei requested Cao Cao to attack Yuan Shu.Once Cao Cao agrees Liu Bei goes to the Emperor for further approval. The trick of leaving Xu Zhou with the pretense to attack Yuan Shu has managed to trick Cao Cao.

With 50,000 men with him, Liu Bei is like a bird set free from its cage at Xu Zhou. Cao Cao by knowing that it was a trick, he quickly sent his messenger to ask Liu Bei come back to the Capital. However, Liu Bei refused his messenger. This once again forced to start another war.

After leaving Xu Zhou, Liu Bei managed to defeat Yuan Shu in Nan Yang and returned to the Xiao Pei city. This was because they want to avoid Cao Cao’s attack in Xu Zhou.

Imperial commander General Lu Zhi is in command of 50,000 soldiers. They are currently in a fierce battle with the Yellow Turbans under Zhang Jiao. Liu Bei was one of his students when he was 15 years old. He learnt literature and military strategies under General Lu Zhi and he likes Liu Bei so much for this honesty. General Lu Zhi ordered Liu Bei’s volunteer army to march to Ying Chuan as reinforcement.

However, the battle for humanity against the corrupt government has taken a toll of General Lu Zhi’s life. General Lu Zhi refused the bribes from an Imperial envoy. And thus, Liu Bei’s future is also seems to be very tough.

Liu Bei was then plan to ally with Cao Cao against Lu Bu. However, the plan was exposed. This has lead Lu Bu attacked Liu Bei in Xiao Pei. But instead he fell into the trap of Chen Gui and Chen Deng that are using them to attack each other. Thereafter, Cao Cao’s troops were then pursuing to Lu Bu and he has no choice but hiding in Xia Pi.

Lu Bu was besieged by Cao Cao in Xia Pi city. Xia Pi is fenced by Yishui and Sishui river, which form a natural barrier, making it easy to defend. The siege was between the end of fall season and the beginning of winter. Due to the fear of Lu Bu and Yuan shu. Cao Cao set up watch towers and blockaded the entire region. Liu Bei and his brothers were ordered to supervise the blockade against Nan Yang.A few days later, Zhang Fei realized that there is small team of Lu Bu’s envoy being sent to ask Yuan Shu for reinforcements. Zhang Fei waits at the pass to block their return.

One month later, the winter’s wind blew madly, chilling both armies. Both Cao Cao and Lu Bu were unable to move and thus they had to stop fighting for a while. Lu Bu spent his days in drinking wine because he was unable to ask for Yuan Shu’s help. Cao Cao then change his strategy by using the natural river to to attack Xia Pi. Xia Pi was completely flooded.

The defending army was panic and was forced to stay at higher platforms. Because of this incident Lu Bu instruct no body shall drink wine as he will behead anyone who dare to drink wine. Hou Cheng (Lu Bu’s General) was unaware of this instruction. He invited Lu Bu for a dinning party with wine celebration. This has caused Lu Bu almost behead Hou Cheng.

On that night, all generals decided to surrender to Cao Cao because of the intolerance of Lu Bu. At the same day of Hou Cheng’s surrender, Cao Cao attacked Xia Pi city. After the battle was over, Lu Bu was exhausted and went to sleep. Wei Xu and Song Xian take this opportunity quietly tight up Lu Bu and open the gate to let Cao Cao’s troops go in to the city. And that’s the end of Lu Bu. The spectacular end of the Lu Bu, truly marks the beginning of the chaotic era.

Recently I bought a set of CDs TV series 84 episodes, Romance Of The Three Kingdoms. It's a story about the war of three Kingdoms, Wei, Shu and Wu. It is a well recognized part of Chinese history which happened during an era of disunity called the Six Dynasties. The famous story has been made into a movie named The Red Cliff and was release globally in last year. The following is the story of 1st episode.

It was 184AD, Spring of Jian Ning year in China. People were in great fear due to a strange bright light plunged into Huang He river. These indicated a bad sign that something is going to happened. China sink into an unprecedented disaster. Heavy taxes imposed by the government causes misery to the people. This scenario became worse by unceasing misfortunes and plagues. And thus the people are deprived of their livelihood.

In addition, people throughout the land began to revolt one after another. The largest peasant rebel forces was lead by a Taoist named Zhang Jiao also known as the Yellow Turbans. Several hundred thousands peasants all across the country joined effort to overthrow the corrupt government.

At this point, there were 3 heroes sworn as brothers with the desires of a peaceful and safe country. Liu Bei (Liu Xuande), Guan Yu (Yunchang), Zhang Fei (Yide) started raise army and safe the people from the Yellow Turban rebels. Having sworn as brothers, the three begins their journey across the country to gather heroes and warriors. In this chaotic world, the story of the Three Kingdoms began.