San kuo; or, Romance of the three kingdoms (volume 1 of 2)

Preface. I. Feast in the Garden of Peaches: Brotherhood Sworn: Slaughter of Rebels: The Brothers Heroes. 1 II. An Official is Thrashed; Uncle Ho Plots to Kill the Eunuchs. 11 II...

Empires wax and wane; states cleave asunder and coalesce. When the rule of Chou weakened seven contending principalities sprang up, warring one with another till they settled do...

It must here be told who this Tung Cho was. Cho, or Chung-ying, was born in the west at Lintʻao in modern Shênsi. His father was a prefect. He himself was arrogant and overbeari...

What Tsʻao Tsʻao said was this: “The eunuch evil is of very old standing, but the real cause of the present trouble is in the improper influence allowed them by the ruler, and t...

It is recorded that Tung Cho was on the point of slaying Yüan Shao, but his adviser checked him, saying, “You must not kill rashly while the business hangs in the balance.”

At the close of the last chapter Tsʻao Tsʻao’s companion was about to slay him. But the memory of why he had decided to join his fortunes with his companion’s stayed his hand. R...

Chang Fei rode hard up to the Pass but the defenders sent down stones and arrows like rain so that he could not enter and he returned. The eight lords all joined in felicitation...

At the close of the last chapter Sun Chien was surrounded. However he eventually fought his way through, though with the loss of three of his best leaders and more than half his...

This is what Kʻuai Liang said, “Sun Chien is now gone and his sons are but youths. Seize this moment of weakness to break into Chiangtung and it is yours in one beat of the drum...

The person who collided with the irate Tung Cho was his most trusty adviser Li Ju. Li had not fallen in spite of the shock and at once helped his master to regain his feet and l...

“No; the people will not approve of his death now. Restore him to power and get the leaguers inside the gates. Remove his supporters and then we can compass his death. And we sh...

It was one Mi Chu who said he knew how to defeat Tsʻao Tsʻao utterly. He came of a wealthy family of merchants trading in Loyang. One day travelling homeward from that city in a...

The last chapter closed with Tsʻao Tsʻao in great danger. However, help came. Hsiahou Tun with a small body of soldiers found his chief, checked the pursuit, and fought with Lü...

The last chapter told of the defeat of Lü Pu, and his gathering the remnant of his army at Haipin. When all his lieutenants had joined him he began to feel strong enough to try...

The last chapter closed with the arrival of Li Yüeh who shouted out falsely that the army was that of the two arch rebels Li and Kuo come to capture the imperial cavalcade. But...

In the last chapter it was recorded that Chang Fei was about to end his life with his own weapon. But his brother rushed forward and caught him in his arms, snatched away the sw...

Yang Ta-chiang replied, “Though Liu Pei, now camped at Hsiaopʻei, could easily be taken, yet Lü Pu is strongly posted at the chief city near, and I think he would help Pei if it...

Huainan was very fruitful, and Yüan Shu, as governor of such a large district, was very influential. He was not a little puffed up. The possession of the Imperial seal, pledged...

Chia Hsü, as he had guessed the enemy’s intention, had also devised a counter-move. So he went to his chief and said, “I saw Tsʻao Tsʻao very carefully reconnoitring round about...

As was stated before, Kao Shun and Chang Liao together went to smite Kuan Yü, while Lü Pu attacked the younger brother’s camp. Both brothers went out to give battle, while Liu P...

The last chapter said that Tsʻao Tsʻao was checked in his angry attack upon Chang Liao. It was Liu Pei who held his arm and Kuan Yün-chʻang who knelt before him.

“But I saw something at the hunt,” said Ma Tʻêng. “When Tsʻao Tsʻao advanced to acknowledge the congratulations due to the Emperor, Yüan-tê’s sworn brother Kuan Yü was behind hi...

This was the plan proposed to Yüan-tê: “Yüan Shao is Tsʻao Tsʻao’s terror. He is strongly posted in an extensive district with a hundred legions of fighting men and many able of...

At the close of the last chapter the two unsuccessful leaders Liu and Wang were in danger of death. However, one of the advisers, Kʻung Jung, remonstrated with Tsʻao saying, “Yo...

The last chapter closed with the discovery of the “girdle” decree and the assembly of Tsʻao Tsʻao’s advisers to consider the deposition of the Emperor Hsien. Chʻêng Yü spoke str...

The plan to seduce Kuan Yü from allegiance to his brothers was now announced by its proposer. Since Kuan was far braver than ordinary men he could only be overreached by superio...

As the last chapter closed Yüan-tê had been condemned to die. He spoke up, however, and said, “Pray hear one word, Illustrious Sir, before you decide. I have lost sight of my br...

Now of all the captains in Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army, the only one friendly toward Kuan Yü, with the exception of Chang Liao, was Hsü Huang. The others treated him with respect, except...

Sun Chʻien had joined Kuan Yü in escorting the two ladies and they were on the road to Junan when Hsiahou Tun suddenly determined to pursue. So with a couple of hundred horse he...

We may tell here how Sun Tsʻê gradually became supreme on the east of the river. In the fourth year of the period “Established Peace,” [12] he took Luchiang by the defeat of the...

Hearing that Yüan Shao was hastening to attack at Kuantu, Hsiahou Tun wrote to the capital urgently asking for reinforcements, and Tsʻao Tsʻao told off seventy legions with whic...

Tsʻao lost no time in taking advantage of Yüan Shao’s flight, but smote hard at the retreating men. Yüan Shao without helmet or proper dress, and with few followers, crossed has...

Yüan Shang was puffed up with pride after his victory over Shih Huan and, without deigning to wait the arrival of his brothers, he marched out to Liyang to meet the army of Tsʻa...

As was said, Tsʻao Pʻei, having made his way into the Yüan Palace, saw two women there whom he was about to kill. Suddenly a red light shone in his eyes, and he paused. Lowering...

The story says that the diggers at the spot whence the golden light proceeded presently unearthed a bronze bird. Looking at it, Tsʻao turned to his companion, saying, “What is t...

Just as Tsʻai Mao was going into the city he met Chao Yün and his three hundred coming out. It had happened that, while at the banquet, Chao Yün had noticed some movement of men...

In hot anger, Tsʻao Jên lost no time in marching out to avenge the loss of so many of his army. He hastily crossed the river to attack Hsinyeh and trample it in the dust.

As has been said Hsü Shu hastened to the capital. When Tsʻao Tsʻao knew he had arrived he sent two of his confidants to receive him and so he was led first to the minister’s pal...

Nothing discouraged by two unsuccessful visits to the retreat of the sage whose advice he sought to secure, Liu Pei made preparations for a third visit. His brothers disapproved...

Now Sun Chʻüan fought against Hsiakʻou. When Huang Tsu recognised that he was beaten and could not maintain his position, he abandoned Chianghsia and took the road to Chingchou....

When Yüan-tê asked how his adviser hoped to repel Tsʻao Tsʻao, Kʻung-ming replied, “This is a small city and unfitted for our lengthy occupation. Liu Piao is ill and failing fas...

The last chapter closed with the attack made by Chang Fei as soon as his brother had let loose the waters on the doomed army. He met with Hsü Chʻu and a combat began, but a figh...

As related in the last chapter two brothers appeared in front of our warrior, who rode at them with his spear ready for a thrust. Chung Chin was leading, flourishing his battle-...

In the boat on the way to Chʻaisang the two travellers beguiled the time by discussing affairs. Lu Su impressed upon his companion the necessity of concealing from Sun Chʻüan th...

But he was already on the way. He had been training his naval forces on Lake Pʻoyang when he heard of the approach of Tsʻao Tsʻao’s hosts and had started for Chʻaisengchün witho...

Chou Yü was very annoyed by the words of Chuko Chin and a fierce hatred for Kʻung-ming took root in his heart. He nourished a secret resolve to make away with him. He continued...

“The ruse succeeded well thus played off on Chiang Kan. Tsʻao has been taken in this once, but he will soon rise to it. Only he will not confess his mistake. However, the two me...

This Kʻan Tsê was from Shanyin, a son of a humble family. He loved books, but as he was too poor to buy he used to borrow. He had a wonderfully tenacious memory, was very eloque...

In the last chapter Pʻang Tung was brought up with a sudden shock when some one seized him and said he understood. Upon turning to look at the man he saw it was Hsü Shu, an old...

In the last chapter Chou Yü was seized with sudden illness as he watched the fleets of his enemy. He was borne to his tent and his officers came in multitudes to enquire after h...

The last chapter closed with Huang Kai in the water wounded, Tsʻao Tsʻao rescued from immediate danger and confusion rampant among the soldiers. Pressing forward to attack the n...

Kuan Yü had died there but for his elder brother, who said to the great strategist, “We three pledged ourselves to live and die together. Although my brother Yün-chʻang has offe...

Chou Yü’s anger at seeing that his rival, Kʻung-ming, had surprised Nanchün, and at hearing the same news of Chingchou and Hsiangyang, was but natural. And this sudden fit of ra...

What Kʻung-ming required from Chang Fei was a formal recognition of responsibility for success. Said he, “When Chao Yün went on his expedition he gave written guarantee of being...

Yüan-tê and Kʻung-ming went out of the city to welcome the envoy of Wu and led him to the guest-house. After the usual greetings, Lu Su said, “Hearing of the death of your nephe...

The bridegroom turned pale; bridal apartments lined with weapons of war and waiting maids armed! But the housekeeper said, “Do not be frightened, O honourable one. My lady has a...

The ambuscade into which Chou Yü had fallen had been prepared by the orders of Kʻung-ming and was triple. However, Huang Kai and Han Tang contrived to get clear and found refuge...

In the last chapter it was said that a sudden rage filled the bosom of Chou Yü and he fell to the ground. Then he was carried to his boat. It only added to his rage and mortific...

Chʻên replied, “Your two principal enemies are now firm allies, close as lips and teeth. But Liu Pei wants Hsichʻuan and if you, O Minister, send a mighty host against Sun Chʻüa...

The fight narrated in the last chapter lasted till morn when each side drew off, Ma Chʻao camping on the Wei River, whence he kept up harassing attacks both day and night. Tsʻao...

The man who proposed the plan spoken of in the last chapter was Chang Sung, who belonged to Ichou and held the small office of pieh-chia, or Supernumerary Charioteer. His appear...