Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Illustrated Edition

Author: Luo Guanzhong (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, eunuchs held absolute power, and the land was divided among rival warlords. Through a series of intense struggles in politics, strategy, military force, and human hearts, as predicted by Zhuge Liang the, the situation eventually formed a three-way division: Shu, founded by Liu Bei, the descendant of the Eastern Han Dynasty; Wu, established by Sun Quan, the hegemon of Jiangdong; and Wei, built by Cao Cao, who claimed the title of "Son of Heaven" to dominate the states. However, the struggle did not end. The three factions—Wei, Shu, and Wu—continued to preserve their strength while attempting to eliminate the other two to unify the realm. In times of chaos, heroes emerge, but ultimately, they are washed away by the waves of history, leaving only the heroic deeds that are worth singing and lamenting for posterity. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is an outstanding historical novel created based on the historical facts and folk legends of the Three Kingdoms period. Its content is rich and varied, offering readers profound and diverse insights. The story begins with Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei sworn brothers in a peach garden during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty, describing the major historical events of the late Eastern Han and the Three Kingdoms period over nearly a century, as well as numerous heroic figures who shook the world. Through moving and realistic stories, the author reveals the darkness and corruption within the feudal ruling class, condemning the cruelty and vileness of the rulers.
In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, warlords fought in chaos. The so-called "Eighteen Kingdoms" coalition marched to attack Dong Zhuo under the banner of "supporting the imperial family and saving the people," but in reality, they engaged in intrigue and deceit, each harboring their own ambitions to become king. This book is an illustrated edition of the "Four Great Classical Novels of China," depicting more than a hundred years of history from Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty to Emperor Wu of the Jin Dynasty. With a grand and sweeping brushstroke, it portrays the rise and fall, conflicts, and struggles among Wei, Shu, and Wu, serving as a model of historical romance. Among ancient Chinese novels, if one were to choose the most read and familiar work, it would likely be Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Indeed, from any perspective, this historical romance, compiled by scholars based on historical facts and folk legends, is the most influential long novel among all works.