Chapter One: The Heroes Swear Brotherhood in the Peach Garden; Heroes Slay the Yellow Turbans and Win Their First Glory

　　Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei swore their famous oath of brotherhood in the Peach Garden and together won their first victory in the Yellow Turban Rebellion. This is the classic opening of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where the heroes first appear and the curtain rises on an age of chaos.

　　The rolling Yangtze River flows eastward, its waves washing away the heroes of bygone days. Right and wrong, success and failure—all turn empty in the end. The green mountains remain, while the setting sun reddens time and again. White-haired fishermen and woodcutters on the riverbanks have long grown accustomed to the autumn moon and spring breeze. A jug of modest wine brings joy when old friends meet. How many deeds of ancient and modern times are all consigned to laughter and idle talk. — Set to the tune of "The Immortal by the River"

　　Now, the general trend under heaven is this: after long division, comes union; after long union, comes division. At the end of the Zhou dynasty, the seven warring states contended, and were eventually merged into Qin. After Qin fell, Chu and Han contended, and were in turn merged into Han. The Han dynasty, from its founding when Emperor Gaozu slew the white serpent and raised the banner of revolt, united the realm under one rule. Later, Emperor Guangwu restored the dynasty's glory, and the throne passed down to Emperor Xian, whereupon the empire was divided into the Three Kingdoms. Tracing the roots of this disorder, it likely began with Emperors Huan and Ling. Emperor Huan proscribed the upright and favored eunuchs. When Emperor Huan passed away, Emperor Ling ascended the throne, and General-in-Chief Dou Wu and Grand Tutor Chen Fan jointly served as his advisors. At that time, eunuchs such as Cao Jie wielded power through manipulation. Dou Wu and Chen Fan plotted to eliminate them, but their secret was leaked, and they were instead killed. From then on, the palace eunuchs grew even more tyrannical.

　　On the fifteenth day of the fourth month in the second year of the Jianning reign era, the Emperor took his seat in Wende Hall. No sooner had he ascended the throne than a fierce gale suddenly arose from the corner of the hall. Then a great green serpent dropped from the rafters and coiled itself upon the imperial chair. The Emperor fell back in fright, and his attendants rushed him into the palace, while all the officials scattered in panic. In a moment, the snake vanished. Then came a violent thunderstorm, with hailstones that lasted until midnight and destroyed countless houses.

　　In the second year of the Jianning reign era, an earthquake struck Luoyang. At the same time, the sea overflowed its shores, and the coastal residents were all swept into the waves. In the first year of the Guanghe reign era, hens turned into roosters. On the first day of the sixth month, a mass of black vapor more than ten zhang long flew into Wende Hall. In the seventh month of autumn, a rainbow appeared over Yutang Terrace; and the cliffs of the Wuyuan Mountains all split and crumbled. These portents of ill fortune were many and varied.


　　The Emperor issued an edict asking his ministers for the cause of these calamities. The Gentleman Consultant Cai Yong submitted a memorial, stating that the falling rainbows and the transformation of hens were brought about by the meddling of women and eunuchs in state affairs—words that were quite blunt and direct. The Emperor, after reading the memorial, sighed and rose to change his robes. But Cao Jie, who had been secretly watching from behind, informed the courtiers of everything; he then framed Cai Yong on other charges, had him dismissed from office, and sent him back to his fields.

　　Later, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Feng Xu, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, Hou Lan, Jian Shuo, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and Guo Sheng—ten men in all—banded together in corruption and deceit, and were known as the "Ten Regular Attendants." The Emperor placed great trust in Zhang Rang, even addressing him as "foster father." As day by day the court grew more lawless, the hearts of the people turned toward chaos, and bandits rose like swarming bees.

　　Now, in Julu Commandery there were three brothers: one named Zhang Jue, another Zhang Bao, and the third Zhang Liang. Zhang Jue had originally been a failed scholar who had never passed the imperial examinations. One day, while gathering herbs in the mountains, he met an old man with jade-green eyes and a youthful face, who leaned on a staff of wild thorn. The old man led Zhang Jue into a cave and presented him with three volumes of heavenly texts, saying: "This is called The Essential Arts of Great Peace. With it, you shall proclaim the will of Heaven and deliver all living beings. But if you harbor any disloyal thoughts, you will surely meet with grievous retribution." Zhang Jue bowed and asked the old man's name. "I am the Ancient Immortal of Nanhua," the old man replied—and with that, he dissolved into a gust of clear wind and vanished. Zhang Jue, having received these books, studied them day and night, and learned to summon wind and call rain. He came to be known as the "Daoist of Great Peace."

　　In the first month of the first year of the Zhongping reign era, an epidemic swept through the land. Zhang Jue distributed talisman water to heal the sick and proclaimed himself the "Great and Worthy Master." He had more than five hundred disciples who traveled far and wide, all able to write talismanic characters and chant incantations. As time passed and his followers grew in number, Zhang Jue established thirty-six "divisions"—the larger ones with over ten thousand men, the smaller with six or seven thousand—each under its own chieftain, who were styled as generals. A rumor spread: "The Blue Heaven is dead; the Yellow Heaven shall rise. The year is Jiazi, and all under heaven shall enjoy great fortune." People were instructed to write the characters "Jiazi" in white earth on the front doors of their homes. In the eight provinces of Qing, You, Xu, Ji, Jing, Yang, Yan, and Yu, every household revered the name of the Great and Worthy Master Zhang Jue.

　　Zhang Jue sent his partisan Ma Yuanyi, secretly bearing gold and silk, to bribe the eunuch Feng Xu and secure him as an inside ally. Zhang Jue then discussed with his two brothers, saying: "The hardest thing to win is the people's hearts. Now that the people's hearts are with us, if we do not seize this opportunity to take the realm, it would truly be a pity." So on one hand, they secretly made yellow banners and set a date for the uprising; on the other, they dispatched their disciple Tang Zhou with a swift letter to inform Feng Xu. But Tang Zhou went straight to the imperial secretariat and reported the conspiracy. The Emperor summoned General-in-Chief He Jin to muster troops, who captured Ma Yuanyi and had him beheaded; then Feng Xu and the others were arrested and thrown into prison.

　　When Zhang Jue learned that the plot had been exposed, he raised his troops in the dead of night, styling himself "General of Heaven," while Zhang Bao called himself "General of Earth," and Zhang Liang "General of Man." He proclaimed to the masses: "The fortunes of Han are now at an end, and a great sage has arisen. You should all follow Heaven and adhere to righteousness, so as to enjoy the blessings of Great Peace." Common folk from all directions—four to five hundred thousand of them—wrapped their heads in yellow turbans and followed Zhang Jue in rebellion. The rebel force was immense, and the imperial troops fled in panic at the mere sight of them. He Jin memorialized the Emperor to issue urgent decrees ordering all regions to prepare their defenses and win merit by suppressing the rebels. At the same time, he dispatched the Commandants Lu Zhi, Huangfu Song, and Zhu Jun, each leading elite troops, to march against the rebels on three fronts.

　　Now, one of Zhang Jue's armies was advancing toward the borders of You Province. The Governor of You Province, Liu Yan—a native of Jingling in Jiangxia and a descendant of Prince Gong of Lu from the Han dynasty—upon hearing that the rebel troops were approaching, summoned Colonel Zou Jing to discuss strategy. Zou Jing said, "The rebels are many and our troops are few. My lord should swiftly recruit new soldiers to meet the enemy." Liu Yan agreed, and immediately issued a notice to muster volunteer troops.

　　When the notice reached Zhuo County, it brought forth a hero from that very place. This man was not much given to book learning; he was by nature broad-minded and gentle, sparing of words, and never let joy or anger show on his face. Yet he had always harbored great ambitions and took special delight in befriending the bold and gallant men of the realm. He stood seven feet five inches tall, with ears that hung down to his shoulders and hands that reached past his knees. His eyes could turn and see his own ears; his face was like polished jade, and his lips as if painted with vermilion. He was a descendant of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, and a great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing of Han. His surname was Liu, given name Bei, and his courtesy name was Xuande.

　　In former times, Liu Zhen—son of Liu Sheng—had been enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhuolu Pavilion during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, but later lost his marquisate due to a fault in the tribute of gold, and thus this branch of the family came to settle in Zhuo County. Liu Bei's grandfather was Liu Xiong, and his father, Liu Hong. Liu Hong had once been recommended as a "Filial and Incorrupt" and had also served as a minor official, but he died early. Left fatherless as a child, Liu Bei served his mother with utmost filial piety. His family was poor, so he made a living by selling straw sandals and weaving mats. His home was in Lousang Village of the county. To the southeast of his house stood a huge mulberry tree, over five zhang tall. Seen from afar, its canopy spread round and full like a carriage canopy. A fortune-teller once said, "This household is bound to produce a man of high rank." When Liu Bei was a child, he played under that tree with the village boys and said, "I shall be the Son of Heaven and ride in this canopy carriage." His uncle Liu Yuanqi, struck by his words, remarked, "This boy is no ordinary child!" And seeing that Liu Bei's family was poor, he often gave them support. At the age of fifteen, his mother sent him away to study. He once studied under Zheng Xuan and Lu Zhi, and counted Gongsun Zan among his friends.

　　By the time Liu Yan issued the notice to recruit troops, Liu Bei was already twenty-eight years old. That day, upon seeing the notice, he heaved a long sigh of emotion. Right then, a voice behind him thundered: "If you are a true man, why not exert yourself for the state? Why do you sigh so?" Liu Bei turned to look—and saw a man eight feet tall, with a leopard's head and round eyes, a swallow's jaw and tiger whiskers, a voice like a crashing thunderbolt, and a bearing like a galloping steed. Seeing his extraordinary appearance, Liu Bei asked his name. The man replied: "My surname is Zhang, my given name Fei, and my courtesy name Yide. My family has long lived in Zhuo Commandery; I have considerable lands and property, and I make my living selling wine and slaughtering pigs. I too delight in befriending heroes of the realm. Just now I saw you reading the notice and sighing, so I asked." Liu Bei said, "I am of the imperial clan of Han, surnamed Liu and named Bei. Now that I hear the Yellow Turbans have risen in revolt, I have the will to crush the rebels and bring peace to the people—but I regret that my strength alone is insufficient, hence my sigh." Zhang Fei said, "I have fairly ample means. I shall recruit local volunteers and join you in this great enterprise—what do you say?" Liu Bei was overjoyed, and the two entered a village tavern together to drink.

　　While they were drinking, they saw a big, tall man pushing a cart, who stopped at the tavern entrance, entered, sat down, and called out to the waiter: "Quick, pour me some wine! I'm in a hurry to get to town and enlist in the army." Liu Bei took a good look at him: he stood nine feet tall, with a beard two feet long; his face was the color of a dark red date, his lips as if painted with vermilion; he had phoenix eyes and silkworm-like eyebrows—a majestic and awe-inspiring presence. Liu Bei invited him to sit with them and asked his name. The man said: "My surname is Guan, my given name Yu, my courtesy name Changsheng, later changed to Yunchang. I am from Xieliang in Hedong. Because a local bully there used his power to oppress others, I killed him, and have been wandering the rivers and lakes for five or six years. Now I heard that troops are being recruited here to fight the rebels, so I came specifically to enlist." Liu Bei then told him of his own ambitions, and Yunchang was overjoyed. They all went together to Zhang Fei's estate to discuss their great plan. Zhang Fei said: "Behind my estate there is a peach orchard, now in full bloom. Tomorrow we shall make offerings to Heaven and Earth in that orchard, and the three of us will swear to be brothers, joining our strength and hearts as one—then we can undertake our great enterprise." Liu Bei and Yunchang answered in unison: "That is excellent."

　　The next day, in the peach orchard, they prepared sacrifices including a black ox and a white horse. The three burned incense, bowed twice, and made this oath: "We, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, though of different surnames, now that we have become brothers, will join our hearts and strength, rescue the distressed and support those in peril; above, we shall repay the state, and below, bring peace to the common people. We do not seek to be born on the same day, in the same month, in the same year—but we wish to die on the same day, in the same month, in the same year. May Heaven above and Earth below bear witness to our hearts; should we betray our loyalty and forget our gratitude, may we be punished by both gods and men!" After the oath, they paid respects to Xuande as the elder brother, Guan Yu next, and Zhang Fei as the younger. After sacrificing to Heaven and Earth, they slaughtered oxen and set out wine, gathered the local brave men—over three hundred in all—and in the peach orchard they drank heartily to intoxication.

　　The next day, they prepared weapons, but regretted that they had no horses to ride. Just as they were pondering this, a report came that two guests had arrived, leading a group of attendants and driving a herd of horses toward the estate. Xuande said: "Heaven is surely helping us!" The three went out to welcome them. It turned out that the two guests were great merchants from Zhongshan: one named Zhang Shiping, the other Su Shuang, who every year went north to trade in horses and had recently returned because of bandit disturbances. Xuande invited them to the estate, set out wine to entertain them, and told them of his intention to suppress the rebels and bring peace to the people. The two guests were delighted and offered to give them fifty fine horses, as well as five hundred taels of gold and silver and a thousand jin of fine steel to help equip their forces.

　　Xuande thanked the two merchants and bade skilled smiths forge a pair of twin swords for himself. Yunchang had made a Green Dragon Crescent Blade, also known as the "Cold Beauty Saw," weighing eighty-two jin. Zhang Fei had made an eighteen-foot steel-pointed spear. Each donned a full suit of armor. They gathered over five hundred local volunteers and went to see Zou Jing. Zou Jing introduced them to Governor Liu Yan. After the three paid their respects, they each gave their names. When Xuande spoke of his lineage, Liu Yan was overjoyed and acknowledged him as his nephew.

　　Within a few days, word came that the Yellow Turban rebel general Cheng Yuanzhi was leading fifty thousand troops to attack Zhuo Commandery. Liu Yan ordered Zou Jing to take Xuande and the other two, with five hundred soldiers, to go and break the enemy. Xuande and his companions gladly marched forth, and when they reached the foot of Mount Daxing, they met the rebels. The rebel troops all wore their hair loose and bound their foreheads with yellow turbans. The two armies now faced each other. Xuande rode out, with Yunchang on his left and Yide on his right, and raising his whip, shouted: "You traitorous rebels—why not surrender at once!" Cheng Yuanzhi flew into a rage and sent his deputy general Deng Mao to fight. Zhang Fei charged forward with his eighteen-foot serpent spear; with one thrust, he pierced Deng Mao through the heart, and Deng Mao tumbled from his horse. When Cheng Yuanzhi saw Deng Mao fallen, he spurred his horse and brandished his blade, charging straight at Zhang Fei. Yunchang whirled his great saber and galloped to meet him. Cheng Yuanzhi was startled and caught off guard—and with one sweep of Yunchang's blade, he was cleaved in two. Later generations had a poem praising the two:

　　Heroes show their mettle this very day—

　　One tries the spear, one tries the blade in play.

　　Their might displayed in first fierce fight,

　　Their names shall shine in the coming threefold light.

　　When the rebels saw Cheng Yuanzhi slain, they all turned their weapons and fled. Xuande waved his forces in pursuit; countless numbers surrendered, and they returned in great victory. Liu Yan came out in person to welcome them and rewarded the soldiers.

　　The next day, an official dispatch arrived from Gong Jing, the Governor of Qing Province, saying that the Yellow Turban rebels had surrounded the city and it was about to fall, and pleading for reinforcements. Liu Yan discussed the matter with Xuande. Xuande said, "I am willing to go to their rescue." Liu Yan ordered Zou Jing to take five thousand troops, together with Xuande, Guan, and Zhang, and march to Qing Province. When the rebels saw the relief force approaching, they divided their troops and fought in a melee. Xuande's forces were too few to win, so they retreated thirty li and made camp.

　　Xuande said to Guan and Zhang, "The rebels are many and we are few; we must use a surprise maneuver to win." So he ordered Guan Yu to lead one thousand men and lie in ambush on the left side of the mountain, and Zhang Fei to lead one thousand men and lie in ambush on the right, with the sound of the gong as the signal for both to strike together. The next day, Xuande and Zou Jing led their troops forward with great clamor. The rebels came out to meet them, and Xuande withdrew his men. The rebels pursued them in force. But just as they crossed the mountain ridge, the gongs rang out from Xuande's camp, and the two ambush forces charged out from both sides, while Xuande wheeled his troops around and attacked again. With this three‑pronged assault, the rebels were utterly routed. They chased them all the way to the walls of Qing Province, where Governor Gong Jing also led his militia out of the city to join the fight. The rebel force was badly broken, and many were slain; thus the siege of Qing Province was lifted. Later generations had a poem praising Xuande:

　　His plans and schemes with godlike skill are rife;

　　Two tigers still must yield to one true dragon's life.

　　From his first campaign such glory came,

　　That he would carve his name in the tripartite frame—though from lowly fame.

　　After Gong Jing had rewarded the troops, Zou Jing wished to return. Xuande said, "I have heard that Commandant Lu Zhi is engaging the rebel chief Zhang Jue at Guangzong. I once studied under Lu Zhi, and I wish to go and assist him." So Zou Jing led his troops back, while Xuande, with Guan and Zhang, took his own five hundred men and headed for Guangzong. When they arrived at Lu Zhi's camp, they entered his tent, paid their respects, and explained their purpose. Lu Zhi was delighted and kept them at his tent awaiting orders.

　　At that time, Zhang Jue had a force of one hundred fifty thousand rebels, while Lu Zhi had only fifty thousand. They were locked in stalemate at Guangzong, with no clear victory yet. Lu Zhi said to Xuande, "I am now surrounding the rebels here. Their brothers Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao are at Yingchuan, facing Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun. You may take your own men, and I will add a thousand of my regular troops to your command. Go to Yingchuan to scout the situation and coordinate a time for a joint assault." Xuande accepted the order and marched his troops day and night toward Yingchuan.

　　Now, Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun were leading their forces against the rebels. The rebels, having lost a battle, retreated to Changshe and made camp in the tall grass. Song and Jun consulted each other: "Since the rebels have camped in the grass, we should use fire to attack them." They then ordered their soldiers each to bind a bundle of dry grass and lie in ambush. That night, a great wind suddenly arose. After the second watch, they set fire all at once. Song and Jun each led their troops to attack the rebel camp. The flames leaped to the heavens, and the rebels were thrown into panic—horses not saddled, men not armored—scattering in all directions.

　　The fighting lasted until dawn. Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao, leading the remnants of their defeated army, fought their way out to escape. Suddenly, a formidable force of troops, all flying red banners, appeared before them and cut off their retreat. At the head of this force rode a general—seven feet tall, with narrow eyes and a long beard. He held the rank of Cavalry Commandant, and was a native of Qiao Commandery in the State of Pei. His surname was Cao, his given name Cao, and his courtesy name Mengde.

　　Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, was originally of the Xiahou clan, but because he had been adopted by the eunuch Cao Teng—a Regular Attendant—he assumed the surname Cao. Cao Song begot Cao Cao, whose childhood nickname was A-Man, and he was also called Jili. As a boy, Cao Cao loved hunting and riding, delighted in music and dancing, and was full of cunning schemes and quick-witted shifts. He had an uncle who, seeing Cao Cao's unrestrained ways, often grew angry and reported him to Cao Song. Cao Song would then scold him. Cao Cao suddenly devised a plan. One day, seeing his uncle approach, he fell to the ground and pretended to have a stroke. His uncle, alarmed, told Cao Song, who hurried over to see for himself. Cao Cao, however, was perfectly fine. Cao Song asked, "Your uncle said you had a stroke—are you recovered now?" Cao Cao replied, "I have never had such an ailment. It is only because I have lost my uncle's favor that he slanders me." Cao Song believed him. Thereafter, whenever the uncle spoke of Cao Cao's faults, Cao Song paid no heed. Thus Cao Cao was able to indulge his wild ways freely.

　　At that time, there was a man named Qiao Xuan who said to Cao Cao, "The realm is about to fall into chaos. Only a man destined to shape the age can save it. The one who can bring peace—perhaps it is you?" He Yong of Nanyang, upon seeing Cao Cao, remarked, "The Han house is about to perish; the one who will pacify the realm must be this man." Xu Shao of Runan had a reputation for judging men. Cao Cao went to see him and asked, "What kind of man am I?" Xu Shao did not answer. When pressed again, Xu Shao said, "You are a capable minister in times of peace, and a crafty hero in times of chaos." Cao Cao was greatly pleased at this. At the age of twenty, he was recommended as a "Filial and Incorrupt," became a Gentleman, and was appointed as the Commandant of the Northern District of Luoyang. Upon taking office, he set up more than ten rods of five colors at the four gates of the district. Whoever violated the law, be they powerful or noble, he would punish. The uncle of the Regular Attendant Jian Shuo, carrying a sword, was out at night; Cao Cao's patrol arrested him and had him beaten with the rods. From then on, no one inside or outside the capital dared to break the law, and his fearsome reputation grew far and wide.

　　Later, he served as the Magistrate of Dunqiu. When the Yellow Turban uprising broke out, he was appointed Cavalry Commandant and led five thousand infantry and cavalry to Yingchuan to join the battle. Just as Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao were fleeing in defeat, Cao Cao blocked their way and slaughtered a great number—over ten thousand heads—and captured countless banners, drums, and horses. Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao fought desperately and managed to escape. Cao Cao met with Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, then immediately led his troops in pursuit of Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao.

　　Now, Xuande, with Guan and Zhang, arrived at Yingchuan. Hearing the cries of battle and seeing the glow of fire lighting up the sky, he hurried his troops forward—but by then the rebels had already scattered. Xuande saw Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun and conveyed Lu Zhi's intent. Song said, "Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao are at the end of their strength. They will surely flee to Guangzong to rejoin Zhang Jue. Xuande, you should hasten there by night to assist." Xuande accepted the order and turned his troops back. Halfway there, he saw a cluster of soldiers escorting a prison cart. The prisoner inside was none other than Lu Zhi. Xuande was horrified, leapt from his horse, and asked the reason. Lu Zhi said, "I had Zhang Jue surrounded and was about to break him—but because he used sorcery, I could not win immediately. The court sent the Yellow Gate official Zuo Feng to inspect the front, and he demanded a bribe from me. I answered: 'Our military provisions are still short; how can I have spare money to bribe the imperial envoy?' Zuo Feng bore a grudge, and upon his return he reported to the court that I had built high ramparts and refused to fight, demoralizing the army. Therefore the court flew into a rage and sent Commandant Dong Zhuo to take over my command, while I am to be taken back to the capital for trial." When Zhang Fei heard this, he flew into a rage and wanted to kill the escorting soldiers to rescue Lu Zhi. Xuande hastily stopped him, saying, "The court will have its own judgment—you must not act recklessly!" The soldiers escorted Lu Zhi away. Guan Yu said, "Now that Commandant Lu has been arrested, and someone else is in command, we have no one to rely on. Let us return to Zhuo Commandery." Xuande agreed, and so they marched north.

　　After less than two days, they heard a tremendous clamor from behind the mountains. Xuande led Guan and Zhang up a high ridge to observe. They saw the Han army badly defeated, with the Yellow Turbans covering the land like a tide, filling the mountains and plains. On the rebel banner was written in large characters: "General of Heaven." Xuande said, "That is Zhang Jue! We must fight him at once!" The three galloped out with their men. Zhang Jue had just routed Dong Zhuo and was pressing the pursuit when suddenly he ran into the three, who charged into his ranks. Zhang Jue's army fell into chaos and fled more than fifty li.

　　The three rescued Dong Zhuo and brought him back to camp. Dong Zhuo asked what official posts the three held. Xuande replied, "We are commoners." Dong Zhuo showed great contempt and offered them no courtesy. When Xuande came out, Zhang Fei raged, "We shed our blood in battle to save this wretch, yet he treats us with such insolence! If I don't kill him, my anger will never subside!" He was about to seize his blade and enter the tent to slay Dong Zhuo. And so it was—

　　Human nature—whether then or now—ever looks to power and gain.

　　Who knows that a hero may stand in humble attire?

　　Oh, for a forthright man like Yide,

　　To slay all the ingrates in the world!

　　If you wish to know what became of Dong Zhuo, you must read on in the next chapter.