Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Synopsis
Romance of the Three Kingdoms is one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. It is a historical novel written by the novelist Luo Guanzhong during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. The 120-chapter book depicts approximately 96 years of history from the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty to the unification under the Western Jin Dynasty (184–280 AD). Centered on the power struggles among the three major factions of Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan, it creates enduring heroic figures such as Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
Overview
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, fully titled Sanguozhi Tongsu Yanyi, is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature and also one of the Four Masterworks of the Ming dynasty. Its author, Luo Guanzhong (c. 1330 – c. 1400), courtesy name Ben, pseudonym Huhai Sanren, was born in Taiyuan, Shanxi, and is revered as the originator of the chapter-based novel. The complete work consists of 120 chapters (the commonly circulated version is the commentary and revision by Mao Lun and his son Mao Zonggang from the early Qing dynasty). It depicts approximately 96 years of history, from the Yellow Turban Rebellion (184 AD) at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty to the unification of China under the Western Jin after its conquest of Wu (280 AD).
The novel's famous opening line states that the general trend of the world is that it must unite after prolonged division and divide after prolonged union, establishing the cyclical view of history that permeates the entire book. The narrative treats the state of Shu Han as the legitimate successor, centers emotionally on the Oath of the Peach Garden sworn by Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, and uses Zhuge Liang's dedication "until his heart stops beating" as its spiritual backbone, creating numerous vivid characters. According to Wikisource statistics, the novel features about 1,191 individuals, including 436 military officers, 451 civil officials, 128 members of royalty, consorts, and eunuchs, and 176 others.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms is described as a historical novel that is "seven parts history, three parts fiction." Many famous stories like "Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats," "The Empty Fort Strategy," and "Beheading Hua Xiong with Warm Wine" did not occur in real history exactly as depicted in the novel, but these literary creations have become an inseparable part of Chinese culture.
Chronology of Major Events in Three Kingdoms History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 184 AD | Outbreak of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, beginning of the late Eastern Han turmoil |
| 220 AD | Cao Pi usurps the Han throne, establishes Cao Wei, formally beginning the Three Kingdoms period |
| 221 AD | Liu Bei declares himself emperor, establishes Shu Han |
| 222 AD | Sun Quan declares himself King (emperor in 229 AD), establishes Eastern Wu |
| 223 AD | Liu Bei entrusts his son to Zhuge Liang at Baidi Castle, Zhuge Liang becomes regent |
| 263 AD | Wei conquers Shu |
| 265 AD | Sima Yan usurps the Wei throne, establishes Western Jin |
| 280 AD | Western Jin conquers Wu, unifying China |
Core Characters
| Faction | Character | Courtesy Name | Identity & Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shu Han | Liu Bei | Xuande | Founding emperor of Shu Han, benevolent ruler |
| Shu Han | Guan Yu | Yunchang | Embodiment of loyalty and righteousness, later revered as the Martial Saint |
| Shu Han | Zhang Fei | Yide | Fierce general, hated evil passionately |
| Shu Han | Zhuge Liang | Kongming | Master Sleeping Dragon, Chancellor of Shu Han, symbol of wisdom |
| Shu Han | Zhao Yun | Zilong | Zhao Zilong of Changshan, peerless in loyalty and bravery |
| Cao Wei | Cao Cao | Mengde | Formidable hero of his time, accomplished in both civil and military affairs |
| Cao Wei | Sima Yi | Zhongda | Patient and deeply calculating, ultimately seizing power |
| Eastern Wu | Sun Quan | Zhongmou | Ruler of Eastern Wu, adept at maintaining established rule |
| Eastern Wu | Zhou Yu | Gongjin | Key figure in the Battle of Red Cliffs, accomplished in both civil and military affairs |
Classic Stories vs. Historical Truth
| Classic Story | Chapter(s) | Historical Truth |
|---|---|---|
| Oath of the Peach Garden | Chapter 1 | No historical record, literary fiction |
| Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats | Chapter 46 | Historically, the protagonist was Sun Quan, not Zhuge Liang |
| The Empty Fort Strategy | Chapter 95 | Historically not performed by Zhuge Liang, literary fiction |
| Beheading Hua Xiong with Warm Wine | Chapter 5 | Historically, Hua Xiong was killed by Sun Jian, not Guan Yu |
| Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage | Chapters 37-38 | Historically true, recorded in Records of the Three Kingdoms |
| Seven Captures of Meng Huo | Chapters 87-90 | Generally based on fact, details are literary embellishments |
| Passing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals | Chapter 27 | Literary fiction |
Idioms and Allusions from the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms has contributed numerous Chinese idioms. Here are some classics:
| Idiom | Related Character(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage | Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang | Inviting someone sincerely and earnestly |
| Everything is ready, all we need is an east wind | Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu | Only the final condition is missing |
| Bend one's back to the task until one's dying day | Zhuge Liang | Devote oneself entirely until the last moment |
| Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats | Zhuge Liang | Cleverly utilizing conditions to achieve a goal |
| So happy as to forget Shu | Liu Shan | So content with pleasure as to forget one's roots |
| Like a fish getting water | Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang | Finding a kindred spirit or perfect match |
| Quenching thirst by thinking of plums | Cao Cao | Comforting oneself with an illusion |
| Sima Zhao's heart is known to all | Sima Zhao | One's ambition is obvious to everyone |
| Look at someone with new eyes | Lü Meng | View someone's progress with a fresh perspective |
Film and Television Adaptations
| Year | Title | Episodes | Douban Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | CCTV's Romance of the Three Kingdoms | 84 | 9.6 | Widely recognized as the pinnacle of Chinese historical drama, total investment 170 million RMB |
| 2010 | Three Kingdoms (New Three Kingdoms) | 95 | 7.9 | Reinterpretation from a new perspective |
| 2008 | Film Red Cliff | Two parts | 7.8 | Directed by John Woo, starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Takeshi Kaneshiro |
The 1994 CCTV version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms took over three years to film, involved over 400,000 extras, used more than 30,000 costumes and 60,000 props, with a total investment of approximately 170 million RMB. It maintains a Douban rating of 9.6 and is widely regarded as the masterpiece of Chinese historical television drama.
Global Cultural Influence
Romance of the Three Kingdoms has had a profound influence in East Asia. The Dynasty Warriors game series by Japan's Koei Tecmo has sold over 24 million copies worldwide. Japan had its first Japanese translation of the novel as early as 1689, a history of dissemination spanning over 300 years. In Korea, the novel was introduced during the late Goryeo period, about 600 years ago, and continues to be adapted into comics, games, and films.
According to OCLC database statistics, Romance of the Three Kingdoms has been translated into at least 15 languages, with as many as 243 editions. There are three complete English translations: by C.H. Brewitt-Taylor (1925), Moss Roberts (1994), and Yu Sumei (2014, the first complete 120-chapter English translation by a Chinese person).
References
- Wikipedia — Romance of the Three Kingdoms: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/三国演义
- Douban — 1994 version Romance of the Three Kingdoms: https://movie.douban.com/subject/1830528/
- Xinhua Net — Nine Cases of Misattribution in Romance of the Three Kingdoms: http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2017-06/05/c_129625338.htm
- Wikipedia — Romance of the Three Kingdoms: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_of_the_Three_Kingdoms
- China Writer — The Value of Romance of the Three Kingdoms Editions: https://www.chinawriter.com.cn/n1/2024/0115/c419387-40158757.html
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