This page is based on (and deals with) the story Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a work of fiction detailing people that existed in 3rd-century China, from heroes such as Guan Yu to villains as Cao Cao.
Zhuge Liang, the Minister of Shu, argueably the most famed of all men in the Three Kingdoms period. The most brilliant man of his time, it was he that assisted Liu Bei in building Shu Kingdom after Cao Cao's son, Cao Pi, forced the rightful Emperor to abdicate so he could become Emperor himself. Zhuge Liang's goal was to restore the Han Dynasty, using magic and Taoist methods to help him. He would often predict the future and baffle his enemies with his tactics. Ultimately he died of illness during a campaign to attack Wei. His successors were Jiang Wan as Prime Minister, and Jiang Wei as Commander-in-Chief of the Shu Army.
Guan Yu was the sworn brother to Zhang Fei and Liu Bei. Called the Peach Tree Oath, the three swore to live and die together. He used a curved blade called Black Dragon, and was given the fantastic horse, Red Hare, by Cao Cao. A great and renowned warrior, Guan Yu was killed along with his adopted son, Guan Ping, by Lu Meng of the Wu Kingdom. His weapon, Black Dragon, was given to Wu officer Pan Zhang, who was later killed by Guan Yu's eldest son, Guan Xing. Guan Xing weilded Black Dragon in the campaign against Wei. Guan Yu is the only hero of the Three Kingdoms era to become deitized.
A sworn brother to Liu Bei and Guan Yu, Zhang Fei was one of the most powerful warriors of his time, rivaling Lu Bu, the greatest warrior of the Later Han period. Zhang Fei weilded an 18-foot long spear with great accuracy. Not known for being bright, Zhang Fei often would let his rage get the better of him. He often inspired fear in his opponents all by himself; Cao Cao fled a battle when Zhang Fei boomed his name. After Guan Yu died Zhang Fei was assassinated by his subordinates, Fan Jiang and Da. His son, Zhang Bao, served in his place alongside Guan Xing.
Zhao Yun first came to light when he saved the life of Gongsun Zan, a friend of Liu Bei. After Gongsun Zan was killed, he served under Liu Bei. Twice in his service he saved Liu Bei's son, Liu Chan, against all odds. He won one of Cao Cao's two special swords, the Luminous Sword. He remained in service as a powerful warrior until his death. He left two sons, Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang.
Liu Bei was a sworn brother of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, as well as the uncle of Emperor Xian, earning him the title of Imperial Uncle. After the forced abdication of the Emperor, Liu Bei continued the Han Dynasty in the Shu Kingdom. A charismatic and humble fellow, Liu Bei was very popular among the Chinese during his time, and Cao Cao considered him a true hero, despite being enemies. He gathered many talented men, such as the five Tiger Generals, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao. He died after attempting to avenge the deaths of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
The son of Ma Teng, one of Liu Bei's supporters. A great warrior in his own right, Ma Chao and his cousin, Ma Dai, lead his northern forces against Wei after the Battle of Red Wall. After being nearly defeated, they sought refuge with Shu, earning high positions within the Shu army. Ma Chao served fiercely until his death. Ma Dai served an instrumental role in the Shu army to Zhuge Liang.
Portrayed as the villain in the story, Cao Cao was a brilliant administrator and warrior. He served as Prime Minister under Emperor Xian, when in truth Cao Cao was emperor all but in name. Successful in the north, Cao Cao often recruited his former rival in his campaigns, and often persuaded men of great talent to serve him. His campaign to south China was cut short at the Battle of Red Wall, where his untrained navy was easily defeated by the combined forces of Liu Bei and Sun Quan. Therafter his military would become unmatched. Cao Cao died in 220. Cao Pi succeeded him as Prime Minister, and later forced the Emperor to abdicate.
The greatest tactician of Wei, Sima Yi was Zhuge Liang's chief rival during the Shu-Wei campaigns. Sima Yi often exploited Zhuge Liang's officers to his advantage, but Liang always managed to foil Yi's attempts to crush the retreating Shu army. When Zhuge Liang died, Sima Yi immediately sought to crush the Shu army until the Shu army charged, with Zhuge Liang sitting in the front on a cart. This was in fact a wooden replica of Liang, but it was enough to scare off the Wei army and Sima Yi. He and his successors eventually usurped the power of Wei; Sima Yen finally overthrew Wei and united China at the end of the Three Kingdoms period.
One of Cao Cao's greatest generals, as well as one of his cousins. An arrow from Lu Bu hit him in the eye, and when he plucked out the arrow he swallowed his eye!
One of Cao Cao's greatest generals, Dian Wei served as his master's bodyguard. Wherever Cao Cao went, Dian Wei was there to insure his safety. However, it seems as if he did this once too often, for one day Dian Wei died protecting his master.
A great strongman, Xu Zhu was one of many generals Cao Cao enlisted into his service. Very strong but not very bright, Xu Zhu served Cao Cao and his successors faithfully.
The founder of one of the Three Kingdoms, Wu. In an attempt to conquer Liu Bei, he married off his sister to him, gaining support but in the end the plan was foiled. Since Liu Bei occupied the coveted Jingzhou province, Sun Quan sent Lu Meng to capture it from Guan Yu. He succeeded, with Liu Bei too weak to retaliate. He was the last of the original founding rulers to die.
A fantastic tactician and warrior, Zhou Yu serves Sun Quan for his childhood friend Sun Ce, the elder brother of Sun Quan. Zhou Yu was in command of Wu operations during the Battle of Red Wall, and continually attempted to dispose of his rival, Zhuge Liang. Despite his craftiness, Zhuge Liang always managed to foil his plans. A superior fighter on water, Zhou Yu served Sun Quan faithfully until his death after the Battle.
Once serving the governor Liu Yong, Taishi Ci left to serve Sun Quan after a skirmish in the battlefield with the ruler. Having great respect for the warrior, Sun Quan enlisted Taishi Ci into his service and helped overthrow Liu Yong. Ci's services would not last long, for he died around the Battle of Red Wall.
The powerful warrior and administrator, Lu Xun was instrumental in mending ties between Shu and Wu after the Jingzhou incident. He weilded two swords with great efficiency, and his advice was well attended to.
The most powerful warrior of the Later Han period, Lu Bu once served evil minister Dong Zhou before he assassinated him. After Dong's assassination, Lu Bu struck out on his own, gaining many followers and power. Ultimately he was defeated by Cao Cao and executed.
This beautiful slave was the one who influenced Lu Bu to assassinate the tyrant minister Dong Zhou. Playing on both of their affections, Diao Chan turned once-allies into hated enemies. After Dong Zhou's death, she became Lu Bu's wife.
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