The Late Han and Three Kingdoms: A History of China

The Late Han and Three Kingdoms: A History of China, PART ONE, plunges you into the heart of one of China's most volatile and dramatic eras—a time when a great empire crumbled and legends were forged. From the fiery uprising of the Yellow Turbans to the meteoric rise of figures like Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Jian, and Lü Bu, this narrative vividly brings to life the personalities who shaped an age defined by ambition, betrayal, and destiny. My aim was to immerse readers in that world—where power could shift overnight, and where sheer courage often meant the difference between life and death. The tale opens amid chaos. The Yellow Turban Rebellion sweeps across the land, setting in motion the downfall of the Han court. He Jin, once a humble butcher turned powerful general, meets his tragic end in a deadly clash against the palace eunuchs. Into this turmoil steps Dong Zhuo, whose ruthless cruelty shakes the imperial capital, alongside Lü Bu, the peerless warrior whose loyalty is as changeable as the wind. Their intertwined saga—and the fateful beauty of Diao Chan—turns the palace into a tempest of bloodshed and treachery. As the empire smolders, new heroes emerge onto the stage. Sun Jian, hailed as the "Tiger of Jiangdong," leads bold campaigns, while Wang Yun's defiant spirit ignites rebellion. The oath sworn by Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei shines like a beacon in the darkness—three brothers united not by blood, but by honor and hope. Together, they confront insurmountable odds, from the upheaval in Xu Province to the downfall of mighty foes who once seemed invincible. Then comes the rise of true power. Cao Cao, brilliant and relentless, meticulously builds his strength piece by piece, turning chaos into opportunity. His story intertwines with the downfall of Lü Bu, the tragic plight of Emperor Xian, and the unending battles for dominance that follow.