The Late Han and Three Kingdoms: A History of China

The Late Han and Three Kingdoms: A History of China, PART THREE, plunges you into one of the most exhilarating chapters of Chinese history—a century filled with ambition, loyalty, and betrayal that forged timeless legends. This narrative breathes life into the heroes and rulers who shaped an era, from Liu Bei's final struggles to the rise of Sima Zhao, the cunning figure who would eventually unify the land under the Jin dynasty. You will witness Zhuge Liang's brilliance as he outmaneuvers his foes deep in the jungles of Nanzhong during the famed Seven Captures of Meng Huo, before turning his attention northward to confront overwhelming odds in his legendary campaigns against the state of Wei. Standing beside him are warriors and scholars who carried his vision forward—men like Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and Dong Yun—whose wisdom and steady leadership kept Shu Han alive amid turmoil. Yet, the flame of ambition still burned fiercely in Jiang Wei, whose relentless northern expeditions pushed the kingdom to the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, in the south, Sun Quan—the "Tiger of Eastern Wu"—faces his twilight years as his empire begins to fracture from within. His successor, Zhuge Ke, meets a tragic fate in a court consumed by paranoia and intrigue, paving the way for Sun Hao, the tyrannical emperor whose cruelty would drag Wu into its darkest days. Their stories reveal a timeless truth: even the mightiest rulers can be undone by the very hands that once upheld their power. As the Wei dynasty falters, the cunning Sima family quietly tightens its grip on power. Sima Yi, Sima Shi, and Sima Zhao master the art of patience, skillfully turning the chaos of war into a stepping stone toward dominance. When Sima Zhao finally unleashes his plan to conquer Shu, the stage is set for the end of the Three Kingdoms—an ending shaped by strategy, betrayal, and relentless ambition. Every chapter is crafted with one purpose: to make history come alive. You'll stand alongside emperors and generals, poets and rebels. You'll hear the clash of armies, the whispers of palace intrigue, and the weary sighs of those who sacrificed everything for a dream. If you've ever been fascinated by Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Sun Quan, or Sima Zhao, this book will take you beyond the legends—into the very heart of the world they fought to shape.