Romance of Three Kingdoms Written by: Luo Guanzhong Translated by: C.H. Brewitt Taylor Ebook design by: DW Three Kingdoms Romance of Three Kingdoms Chapter 1 a disruption. But soon Liu Xiu the Latter Han Founder Three Heroes Swear Brotherhood In The Peach Garden; restored the empire6, and Han emperors continued their rule One Victory Shatters The Rebels In Battlegrounds. for another two hundred years till the days of Emperor Xian, which were doomed to see the beginning of the empire’s Domains under heaven, after a long period of division, division into three parts, known to history as The Three tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. Kingdoms. This has been so since antiquity. When the rule of the Zhou But the descent into misrule hastened in the reigns of the Dynasty weakened, seven contending kingdoms sprang up1, two predecessors of Emperor Xian---Emperors Huan and warring one with another until the kingdom of Qin prevailed Ling---who sat in the Dragon Throne about the middle of and possessed the 1Up to this time AD 168, China had had the second century. 2 empire . But when five dynasties: Mythology (BC 5000-2200), Emperor Huan paid no heed to the good people of his 7 Qin’s destiny had been Xia Dynasty (BC 2200-1700), Shang Dynasty court, but gave his confidence to the Palace eunuchs . fulfilled, arose two (BC 1700-100), Zhou Dynasty (BC 100- He lived and died, leaving the scepter to Emperor Ling, opposing kingdoms, 221), Qin Dynasty (BC 221-206), and Han whose advisers were Regent Marshal Dou Wu and Imperial 8 Chu and Han, to fight Dynasty (BC 206-AD 220). The Age of Seven Guardian Chen Fan . Dou Wu and Chen Fan, disgusted with for the mastery. And States was BC 47-221, which was also known the abuses of the eunuchs in the affairs of the state, plotted 3 Han was the victor . as the Warring States Period. The seven main the destruction for the power-abusing eunuchs. But Chief The rise of the states were Qin, Chu, Yan, Qi, Wei, Zhao, and Eunuch Cao Jie was not to be disposed of easily. The plot fortunes of Han began Han. leaked out, and the honest Dou Wu and Chen Fan were put when Liu Bang the 2At the end of the Warring States Period, to death, leaving the eunuchs stronger than before. 4 Supreme Ancestor Qin conquered other states, and consolidated It fell upon the day of full moon of the fourth month, slew a white serpent the empire. The first emperor of Qin is credited the second year, in the era of Established Calm (AD 168), to raise the banners with the building of the Great Wall in large Wang Mang (BC 4-AD 23) was regent and a nephew of the empress of uprising, which scale. dowager Wang. He assumed the throne from AD 9 to 23. only ended when 3Qin ruled for only one and a half 6Liu Xiu (or Guang Wu) (BC -AD 7) (reigned AD 2-7) restored Han the whole empire generations, then the old states emerged again. after Wang Mang’s usurpation. The dynasty Liu Xiu restored is also known as belonged to Han (BC 4Liu Bang (or Gao Zu) (BC 26-19) was Eastern Han (capital in Luoyang) or Latter Han. 202). This magnificent the founder of Han Dynasty, aka Western Han 7From remote antiquity, eunuchs were employed in China in two main heritage was handed (capital in Changan). From a farmer family. His functions: As guards and servants in harems or other women’s quarters, and as down in successive first office was assistant to a magistrate in Pei. chamberlains to kings. The eunuchs’ confidential position frequently enabled Han emperors for Joined peasant rebellions against Qin Dynasty. them to exercise an important influence over their royal masters and even to two hundred years, Fought under Chu banner. Became a general, raise themselves to stations of great trust and power. 8 till the rebellion of then ennobled as King of Han. In BC 206 Liu Regent Marshal was the highest military office, while Imperial Guardian Wang Mang caused Bang defeated Xiang Yu and won the empire. highest civilian office. 6 Chapter 1 Romance of Three Kingdoms 7 that Emperor Ling went in state to the Hall of Virtue. As rivals in wickedness and associates in evil deeds, formed he drew near the throne, a rushing whirlwind arose in the a powerful party known as the Ten Regular Attendants--- corner of the hall and, lo! from the roof beams floated down Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Cheng Kuang, Duan Gui, Feng a monstrous black serpent that coiled itself up on the very Xu, Guo Sheng, Hou Lan, Jian Shuo, Cao Jie, and Xia seat of majesty. The Emperor fell in a swoon. Those nearest Yun. him hastily raised and bore him to his palace, while the One of them, Zhang Rang, won such influence that he courtiers scattered and fled. The serpent disappeared. became the Emperor’s most honored and trusted adviser. But there followed a terrific tempest, thunder, hail, and The Emperor even called him “Foster Father”. So the corrupt torrents of rain, lasting till midnight and working havoc state administration went quickly from bad to worse, till the on all sides. Two years later the earth quaked in Capital country was ripe for rebellion and buzzed with brigandage. Luoyang, while along the coast a huge tidal wave rushed At this time in the county of Julu was a certain Zhang in which, in its recoil, swept away all the dwellers by the family, of whom three brothers bore the name of Zhang sea. Another evil omen was recorded ten years later, when Jue, Zhang Ba, and Zhang Lian, respectively. The eldest the reign title was changed to Radiant Harmony (AD 178): Zhang Jue was an unclassed graduate, who devoted himself Certain hens suddenly crowed. At the new moon of the sixth to medicine. One day, while culling simples in the woods, month, a long wreath of murky cloud wound its way into Zhang Jue met a venerable old gentleman with very bright, the Hall of Virtue, while in the following month a rainbow emerald eyes and fresh complexion, who walked with an was seen in the Dragon Chamber. Away from the capital, a oak-wood staff. The old man beckoned Zhang Jue into a part of the Yuan Mountains collapsed, leaving a mighty rift cave and there gave him three volumes of The Book of in the flank. Heaven. Such were some of various omens. Emperor Ling, “This book,” said the old gentleman, “is the Essential greatly moved by these signs of the displeasure of Heaven, Arts of Peace. With the aid of these volumes, you can issued an edict asking his ministers for an explanation of convert the world and rescue humankind. But you must be the calamities and marvels. single-minded, or, rest assured, you will greatly suffer.” Court Counselor Cai Yong replied bluntly: “Falling With a humble obeisance, Zhang Jue took the book and rainbows and changes of fowls’ sexes are brought about by asked the name of his benefactor. the interference of empresses and eunuchs in state affairs.” “I am Saint Hermit of the Southern Land,” was the reply, The Emperor read this memorial with deep sighs, and as the old gentleman disappeared in thin air. Chief Eunuch Cao Jie, from his place behind the throne, Zhang Jue studied the wonderful book eagerly and strove anxiously noted these signs of grief. An opportunity offering, day and night to reduce its precepts to practice. Before long, Cao Jie informed his fellows, and a charge was trumped up he could summon the winds and command the rain, and he against Cai Yong, who was driven from the court and forced became known as the Mystic of the Way of Peace. to retire to his country house. In the first month of the first year of Central Stability (AD With this victory the eunuchs grew bolder. Ten of them, 184), there was a terrible pestilence that ran throughout the 8 Chapter 1 Romance of Three Kingdoms 9 land, whereupon Zhang Jue distributed charmed remedies to the afflicted. The godly medicines brought big successes, and soon he gained the tittle of the Wise and Worthy Master. He began to have a following of disciples whom he initiated into the mysteries and sent abroad throughout all the land. They, like their master, could write charms and recite formulas, and their fame increased his following. Zhang Jue began to organize his disciples. He established thirty-six circuits, the larger with ten thousand or more members, the smaller with about half that number. Each circuit had its chief who took the military title of General. They talked wildly of the death of the blue heaven and the setting up of the golden one; they said a new cycle was beginning and would bring universal good fortune to all members; and they persuaded people to chalk the symbols for the first year of the new cycle on the main door of their dwellings. With the growth of the number of his supporters grew also the ambition of Zhang Jue. The Wise and Worthy Master dreamed of empire. One of his partisans, Ma Yuanyi, was sent bearing gifts to gain the support of the eunuchs within Zhang Jue the Palace. 10 Chapter 1 Romance of Three Kingdoms 11 To his brothers Zhang Jue said, “For schemes like ours northeastern region of the empire10. The Imperial Protector11 always the most difficult part is to gain the popular favor.