Three Kingdoms Volume 07: The Brotherhood Restored [1 ed.] 9788998341572

Citation preview

Wei Dong Chen • Xiao Long Liang

The Brotherhood Restored

Vol.

07

Vol.

07

Three Kingdoms Many centuries ago, China was made up of several provinces that frequently waged war with one another for regional supremacy. In 221 BC, the Qin Dynasty succeeded in uniting the warring provinces under a single banner. But the unity was short-lived, only lasting fifteen years. After the collapse of the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty was established in 206 BC, and unity was restored. The Han Dynasty would last for hundreds of years, until the PostHan Era, when the unified nation once again began to unravel. As rebellion and chaos gripped the land, three men came forward to take control of the nation: Bei Liu, Cao Cao, and Quan Sun. The three men each established separate kingdoms, Shu, Wei, and Wu, and for a century they contended for supremacy. This was known as the Age of the Three Kingdoms. Written more than six hundred years ago, Three Kingdoms is one of the oldest and most seminal works in all of Eastern literature. An epic story spanning decades and featuring hundreds of characters, it remains a definitive tale of desperate heroism, political treachery, and the bonds of brotherhood.

Wei Dong Chen and Xiao Long Liang have chosen to draw this adaptation of Three Kingdoms in a manner reminiscent of the ancient Chinese printing technique. It is our hope that the historical look of Three Kingdoms will amplify the timelessness of its themes, which are just as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.

Vol. 07

The Brotherhood Restored Created by

WEI DONG CHEN

Wei Dong Chen, a highly acclaimed and beloved artist, and an influential leader in the “New Chinese Cartoon” trend, is the founder of Creator World in Tianjin, the largest comics studio in China. Recently the Chinese government entrusted him with the role of general manager of the Beijing Book Fair, and his reputation as a pillar of Chinese comics has brought him many students. He has published more than three hundred cartoons, which have been recognized for their strong literary value not only in Korea, but in Europe and Japan as well. Free spirited and energetic, Wei Dong Chen’s positivist philosophy is reflected in the wisdom of his work. He is published serially in numerous publications while continuing to conceive projects that explore new dimensions of the form.

illustrated by

XIAO LONG LIANG

Xiao Long Liang is considered one of Wei Dong Chen’s greatest students. One of the most highly regarded cartoonists in China today, Xiao Long’s fantastic technique and expression of Chinese culture have won him the acclaim of cartoon lovers throughout China. His other works include “Outlaws of the Marsh” and “A Story on the Motorbike”.

Original Story “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” by Luo, GuanZhong Editing & Designing Design Hongs, Jonathan Evans, KH Lee, YK Kim, HJ Lee, JS Kim, Lampin, Qing Shao, Xiao Nan Li, Ke Hu © Chen, Wei Dong 2013 All rights reserved. Original Chinese edition published by Anhui Fine Arts Publishing House. Scanning, uploading, and electronic distribution of this book is prohibited.

Characters

Volume 07

BEI LIU Bei Liu is the sworn brother of Yu Guan and Fei Zhang. The three men pledged that together they would restore peace to China. The eldest of the three brothers, Bei Liu is patient and contemplative, so much so that he often infuriates his brothers. Recently, Bei Liu has been living under the protection of Shao Yuan after a failed attempt to defeat Cao Cao. With Cao Cao and Shao Yuan now doing battle, the pressure is on Bei Liu to make a move.

YU GUAN Yu Guan is the sworn brother of Bei Liu and Fei Zhang. Yu Guan’s abilities in battle are legendary, as is his unbreakable fidelity to any person or cause to which he’s sworn himself. This loyalty leads Yu Guan to temporarily join Cao Cao, as the safety of Bei Liu’s family was at stake. Once Yu Guan learned that his brother was alive and well, he immediately left to be reunited with him. Along the way, though, Yu Guan was forced to overcome a number of Cao Cao’s loyal guards. But even though he’s now back, one brother is questioning his true allegiances.

FEI ZHANG Fei Zhang is the youngest and most temperamental of the three sworn brothers. When Bei Liu was forced to hide under the protection of Shao Yuan and Yu Guan agreed to fight alongside Cao Cao, Fei Zhang fled to Mount MangDang, where he intended to stockpile weapons and raise an army. When word comes that his brothers are alive and well, Fei Zhang demands answers for what has happened since they swore their oath to one another.

CE SUN Ce Sun was thrust into power when his father, Jian Sun, was killed in combat. At first he was too young to lead on his own, so he entered into an alliance with Shu Yuan. After some time Ce Sun sought to escape his father’s shadow and led a series of military campaigns to reclaim territories previously held by his father. When Ce Sun is gravely injured in an ambush, he confronts a face from his past, one that does not bring glad tidings.

QUAN SUN Quan Sun is the younger brother of Ce Sun. Much like Ce Sun dwells in the shadow of their father, Quan Sun lives in the shadow of his brother. When Quan Sun is suddenly and tragically thrust into power, he entrusts his rule to those who were loyal to his father and brother, some of whom have their own agendas.

SU LU Su Lu becomes a trusted advisor to Quan Sun on the recommendation of Yu Zhou. The new advisor persuades Quan Sun to use combat to build strength and a powerbase, despite what such an approach has done to his family thus far.

Characters

Volume 07

SHAO YUAN Shao Yuan is an impulsive and proud feudal lord who frustrates even his most loyal advisors with his erratic behavior. Having pledged to help Bei Liu defeat Cao Cao and then changing his mind at the last minute, which destroyed any hope of a successful campaign for Bei Liu and drove him into Shao Yuan’s protection, the unpredictable lord now decides to do battle with Cao Cao and leads an army of more than 700,000 soldiers into battle. Despite an overwhelming advantage in terms of provisions and manpower, Shao Yuan is no match for Cao Cao’s ruthless talents as a military strategist, a problem made worse because Shao Yuan imprisons or kills any advisor who devises an attack plan more clever than anything he himself could come up with.

QIONG CHUNYU Qiong Chunyu is one of Shao Yuan’s commanders. His responsibility is to guard the supply base in WuChao. One night, after he and his men have been drinking heavily, Qiong Chunyu is ambushed by Cao Cao and becomes a pawn in one of Cao Cao’s fiendishly clever plans.

CAO CAO Perhaps the most powerful man in China, Cao Cao is a ruthless leader and brilliant military strategist. Despite Shao Yuan’s overwhelming show of force, Cao Cao leads a group of only 70,000 elite soldiers into battle against his adversary. Instead of brute force, Cao Cao relies on his cunning, as well as the counsel of a loyal band of advisors who are able to anticipate an enemy’s moves before they happen. When it becomes clear that Cao Cao’s forces cannot achieve victory in direct combat, Cao Cao orders an audacious raid that will turn the tables of the battle and leave Shao Yuan’s men wondering which side they are fighting on.

Chapter 1

The Sworn Brothers Are Reunited 200 AD

Summary Yu Guan is on his way to be reunited

believes be­­tray­e d their sworn oath in

with his sworn brother Bei Liu. After a

order to serve Cao Cao. Yu Guan tries to

disastrous attempt to do battle with Cao

explain his actions, but even the word of

Cao resulted in the three sworn brothers

Bei Liu’s rescued family cannot persuade

being separated, Yu Guan agreed to fight

Fei Zhang. When a band of soldiers loyal

for Cao Cao, but only because Cao Cao

to Cao Cao arrives to take revenge for one

threatened Bei Liu’s family. Yu Guan made

of the border guards killed by Yu Guan,

it clear that he would only fight by Cao

Fei Zhang believes he’s been set up. In

Cao’s side until he learned the whereabouts

order to convince his brother once and

of his brothers. True to his word, Yu Guan

for all, Yu Guan single-handedly claims

disembarked as soon as he learned that

the head of the enemy commander and

his brothers were alive and well. After a

scatters the remaining soldiers. Fei Zhang

series of confrontations with several of Cao

falls to his brother’s feet and apologizes

Cao’s border guards, he arrives at Mount

for misjudging him. Moments later Bei Liu

MangDang, where Fei Zhang fled to after

appears, having left Shao Yuan after the

the battle against Cao Cao, with members

latter declared war on Cao Cao. Now that

of Bei Liu’s family and a couple of new allies.

the brothers have been reunited, they plan



for the future with the help of two new

Fei Zhang, ever quick to anger,

violent­l y confronts Yu Guan, whom he

allies and about 5,000 soldiers.

ChangShan

BeiHai PuYang XiaoPei

HuLuo Pass

a

LuoYang XuChang

ChangAn

XiaPi

XuZhou

GuCheng ShouChun HeFei

XiangYang

XingYang

Zhuo

Ye llo wR ive r

HanZhong

SiShui Pass

Mount MangDang

LuoYang

DongLing Pass

XuChang

B a GuCheng

a

Bei Liu leaves Shao Yuan’s

RuNan

B

Yu Guan, having left Cao

protection to reunite with his

Cao’s lands, is reunited with Fei

brothers. Along the way, he takes on

Zhang in GuCheng.

Yun Zhao as an ally.

Dun XiaHou! Stop! Lower your blade!

010

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

ZH I N G Let him pass.

I have with me the order from Cao Cao to let him go.

What?

011

Is the prime minister aware that this maggot killed six border guards on his way here?

He is. And his order stands. You are sworn to uphold his wishes, so let him pass.

Don’t worry so much, Dun XiaHou.

012

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

This is insane! He--

I think we are destined to meet each other again some day.

Perhaps you should save yourself for that day.

Bet on it!

You are free to go now, Commander Yu Guan.

But before you do, a quick it be polite question. to formally Wouldn’t thank Cao Cao in person for releasing you?

Heh. Like you suggest, that would just be a formal­ity.

Take this message to Cao Cao. I thank him for his kindness and will not forget it as long as I live.

013

Meanwhile, in GuCheng...

Fei Zhang, who had fled to Mount MangDang following his defeat at XuZhou, had secretly occupied the city of GuCheng, where he began storing supplies and raising an army for the future.

KREEK KREEK

014

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

GULP

Guh.

It’s too hot here! My skin is boiling!

My Lord! Someone is here to see you.

Has he brought ice? If not, make him go away.

Hello, My Lord.

015

I seem to have forgotten the ice. Even so, I’ve spent ages looking for you, Surely you won’t send me away now.

Gan Sun? What brings you here?

I have. Commander Bei Liu is under the protection of Shao Yuan right now.

What’s happened? Have you heard any news about my brothers?

Thank the heavens! He’s safe and sound.

Your brother is on the move as we speak. He is heading to Runan.

016

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

And Commander Yu Guan has left Cao Cao and is coming here.

Let’s go receive him. He should be here by now.

 ? Yu Guan is coming here?

Yes. Why? What’s the matter with your hand?

017

Bring my weapons!

Huh?

We’re going to war!

TO WAR!

018

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

YA A

!!! H H

Pay atten­tion today, men! I’ll show you how to deal with a traitor! ,

019

My Ladies, we’ve reached Fei Zhang’s palace. Bei Liu is on his way too.

At last, we’ll see our husband again. How can we ever thank you, Yu Guan?

You won’t have to. It’s my sworn oath.

Look! We’ve got company.

T THMP HMP THMP 020

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Hold it.

n! a u G Yu

CANG Zhou

Ping Guan, Yu Guan’s Stepson

021

CLOP C

LOP CLO

P

! HYA!!!

022

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Fei Zhang? At last! You’re safe!

I’ve missed you, bro--

023

WHOOSH

?! ACK! SHOOMP 024

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Hey! Brother, what are you doing?

Don’t you dare call me brother! You don’t know me!

H S O HO

KLANG

025

Here, take this!

THOOMP And now that you’re armed, prepare to die!

G N O R K

Fei Zhang! What is going on?!

Keep barking, you filthy dog!

026

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

How dare you?

Fei Zhang, listen to me! You’ve got it all wrong!

We swore an oath in blood!

And then you run off and join Cao Cao?

The hell I do! You saw a chance to save your­self, and you took it!

now I’m going to hang your corpse from a tree!

Fei Zhang, use your head for once, would you?

When have I ever put my life before my honor?

027

The only lives I cared about were Bei Liu’s family’s. I did it to save them!

He’s telling the truth. Cao Cao would have killed us. now please, stop fighting!

You too, huh? Don’t you see he’s lying?

This is a ploy to draw out Bei Liu! He’s trying to capture us and take us back to Cao Cao!

028

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

This is use­ less! There’s no getting through that thick skull of his. I’m sorry, are you supposed to be handsome?

Did I ask you to speak? Pipe down, ugly!

This is Cang Zhou. He is a well known fighter from Mount Wonie.

He believes in what we swore to do and wants to fight alongside us.

029

And this is my stepson, Ping Guan.

Think about it. If I am without honor, as you suggest, why would these men join me?

I thought we swore to never doubt each other!

How could you?

Uh, sorry to interrupt. But we have company.

030

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

I knew it! You secretly led Cao Cao’s army here, didn’t you?

Of course not, you fool! What will it take to convince you?

Do I have to person­ally destroy the enemy?

031

Tell you what. If you can claim the enemy commander’s head before I can catch my breath, I’ll believe you.

Fine. Wait here.

CLO

PC P CLO

LOP

UM DUM D DUM Greetings, Yu Guan! You didn’t really think you could kill my nephew and escape unpunished, did you?

032

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Yang Cai

Silence, Yang Cai! Time is of the essence. Save your scoldings for the afterlife!

W HO S H O HUH?

033

SP

LO

K

SH OO NK

034

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

CLOP CLOP

035

Gruh!

NYEH

CLOP

036

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

CLOP

If you wish to live, get away from here. Right now.

MOVE IT!

RETREAT! HYAH!

037

Yu Guan! My dear brother! I’m sorry. I should have known you’d never betray me.

FWMP

If I were you, I might have thought the same thing.

Get up, Fei Zhang.

038

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Let’s stick together from now on and avoid this kind of thing.

SOB K HI

Give him some space, Fei Zhang! And get a hold of yourself. You know how ridiculous you look when you’re blubbering like a child?

HUH?

Besides, times like this are occasions for joy, you big oaf!

You remember Yun Zhao? He’s offered to join us.

now, can you forgive my absence?

040

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Bei Liu!

THMP THMP THMP You made it! At last!

OOF!

Where have you been? And why didn’t you take me with you? sob

Don’t cry, Fei Zhang. We’re back together, aren’t we?

Let me greet him, Fei Zhang.

Hang on! I’m not done embracing him.

Hello, Yu Guan.

Grrh. Fei Zhang... You’re choking me.

041

Bei Liu and his sworn brothers were at last reunited, but they were not alone. Joining their cause were Yun Zhao, Gan Sun, Yong Gan, Zhu Mi, Ping Guan, Cang Zhou, and an army of 5,000 soldiers.

Some. But I’ll survive. Any serious injuries lately?

042

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Shao Yuan

Chapter 2

The Death of Ce Sun 200 AD

Summary For several years, Ce Sun has been dwelling

Quan Sun, assumes control of the family’s

in the lands of JiangDong, where he has

interests. Advisors loyal to Quan Sun’s father

been building up enough strength to

and brother offer input for how best he can

contend for the throne. But one day, while

exercise his new power. One young advisor

out on a hunting trip, Ce Sun is ambushed

who had been highly recommended by

and gravelly injured by a group seeking

Yu Zhou, Su Lu, submits that going to war

revenge for a fallen relative. As he lingers

is the best way to demonstrate power and

between life and death, he is visited by a

silence those who doubt Quan’s ability to

vision of his father, Jian Sun, who was killed

command, advice that served neither the

in an ambush several years before. They

new lord’s brother nor father well. But since

speak at great length about the nature of

Quan Sun currently lacks the resources to

ambition and the costs of war.

effectively wage war, Su Lu advises him to



maintain friendly relations with Cao Cao

Ce Sun finally succumbs to his

injuries, after which his younger brother,

and bide his time.

ChangShan

BeiHai PuYang XiaoPei XiaPi

GuanDu XuZhou

XuChang

ChangAn

NanYang ShouChun

XiangYang

A

River Huai

HeFei

A DanTu

Ce Sun is gravely wounded during a hunting expedition; he eventually succumbs to his injuries and dies at the age of 26. Zhao Zhang Zhao Zhang was one of Ce Sun’s most trusted advisors. He helps Quan Sun transition into the role held by his late brother. Yu Zhou Yu Zhou was one of Ce Sun’s childhood friends, and acted as commander of his naval forces. When Ce Sun dies, Yu Zhou rec­ommends Su Lu become a trusted advisor to Quan Sun. Su Lu Su Lu is an advisor whose counsel to Quan Sun includes recom­mending he establish his authority by going to war.

One day, while Ce Sun was out hunting...

! H U R G

Ce Sun

This can’t be!

I can’t die... not like this...

048

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

! !

! 049

I...

FATHER?

050

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

W A K

W A K

Quan Sun

HMM... UNGH...

052

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

My brother ...

What happened out there?

We were hunting in the mountains. We were then ambushed by a group of assassins.

Assassins? Are you sure?

Yes. We’ve taken three of them alive.

053

P A T

TA P TA

P A T P

Stand aside! Where are they?

SHING

Look at me!

You each have less than a moment to tell me who sent you.

055

THOOnK GRR...

spit

Someone had better start talking!

056

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

We are relatives of Gong Xu, who was murdered by Ce Sun. We are happy to return the favor.

H

SLAS

WHOMP

H RUK! M A H W 057

T A PT A P T A P

AHHH!!! How dare you take my father and brother from me!

058

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

TAP

I may be alone, but I refuse to crawl away to death!

HYOOSH

HWOOO

HUH?

SNAP

060

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

STRTCH

SHRK

GAH! 061

GRAH!

THMP THMP 062

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

HUFF HUFF

HUH?

GULP

Father? Is that you?

063

What... What are you doing here?

Waiting to take you. Let’s go.

Take me? Take me where? What do you mean?

064

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

I’m not... not yet... Am I?

It can’t be! There is still... so much to do.

Your time is up, Ce Sun.

You have no choice. It is the will of the heavens.

But my destiny... This can’t be true!

I am meant to rule!

The heavens chose me!

065

I don’t care whose will it is! I reject this!

Why have they abandoned me now? I haven’t had a chance to live up to my poten­ tial!

WHAM It’s too late. Like me, you’ve failed.

It was a test, don’t you see? Your rule was all but handed to you after my death, but you squandered it. You became ruler, but you were corrupted by the royal seal, obsessed with vengeance and conquest.

066

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

! MY SON!

The heavens tested you, my son. And you have not passed the test.

067

I will conquer this whole country! I will unify this whole world. I’m afraid that is not your calling.

Then I defy the heavens! I see that now. But it is my duty!

It is my duty to make this world safe! And how long would that take? Five years? Ten?

To make a world of peace in both mind and body.

068

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

I’m almost there! Don’t stop me now!

Listen to yourself! You speak of a selfless act... But you wail and beg on behalf of your pride!

I just want the chance to make the world better.

All great men want that chance. And to get it, they unleash chaos on the existing order.

There are corpses piled high as mountains. All because of the fantasy of creating order in the world.

How many dead bodies have been left in your wake as you sought to make a better world?

069

Don’t you understand? You can’t achieve your dream of a better world without appeasing all that is vindictive and cruel.

UGH!

! ! ! H G R A

This is the cost of a brutal life!

Father, I don’t understand this. What should I do?

Let go of this foolish dream. Don’t cling to a life of cruelty. Follow me, and let us both know true peace.

072

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Yes... I want to be free of suffering. I’m coming, father!

Guh...

My Lord?

You’re awake at last! You’ve been hovering between life and death for 10 days now.

Brother! It’s me.

074

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

But you must continue to rest, brother. You need to regain your strength if you are to lead us ag--

Brother! I saw...I saw our father!

!!!

What are you talking about?

075

FLOP

Quan Sun! Our days are numbered. The heavens are sick of us and our desires.

Quan Sun, you must take over when I’m gone. You are responsible for the family now. You must achieve peace.

076

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

I’m sorry, brother... This is a great burden, but I have failed. You must not--

S

K C P LO

Ce Sun!

077

Go. Carry on, and never forget...

Quan Sun... My little brother...

078

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Father and I...will protect you... always.

“when a great wind blows, the leaves fall like snow. But a dragon can ride this same wind to the highest reaches of the sky...”

! Sun Ce ’t n Do e v lea e m !

079

The time has come for me to spread my wings...

Father! Brother! Guide me as I take flight!

In 200 AD, Ce Sun died following an ambush, and his brother, Quan Sun, inherited his mantle. Cao Cao was civil to Quan Sun following the death of his brother and appointed him governor of KuaiJi.

080

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Quan Sun before his council Quan Sun will hereby assume command, in accordance with Ce Sun’s wishes...

In his will Ce Sun instructed his brother to follow the counsel of Zhao Zhang on internal affairs and to rely on Yu Zhou for external affairs.

Zhao Zhang

...You will advise him as you advised his brother.

081

What is the first order of business, My Lord?

What? Oh! Yes, I agree.

My Lord?

I, um... Zhao Zhang! I would like Zhao Zhang to handle internal affairs. If you have any questions, ask him.

082

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

My Lord, I understand your grief. Losing a father and then a brother is not easy.

That went well, I guess.

But you need to pull yourself together and focus on the job that has been left to you. Otherwise, the things your loved ones achieved will fall apart.

I see.

Don’t worry, Zhao Zhang. The pain is less every day, and I get stronger.

083

Well, our affairs cannot wait. There are things that must be decided now.

Yu Zhou will be here soon. I’ve asked him to help you plan ahead.

084

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

…

Yu Zhou’s first piece of advice to Quan Sun was to make Su Lu a senior advisor.

Well, Su Lu. I’ve asked you here today on the advice of Yu Zhou. He is a trusted advisor and an old friend, and he tells me you are a man of virtue and wisdom.

So I ask for your guidance on how to move forward.

Ah!

085

My Lord, I’m flattered. Hopefully, my wisdom will be of use to you. First, I’d like you to open your mind’s eye.

Su Lu

My mind’s eye?

What do you mean?

But that’s just it. I see only darkness.

Allow me to rid you of that.

I don’t know that you can.

086

Your mind’s eye must be open to truly see things.

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

What should I do? First, clear your mind of dark thoughts.

Grief over losing your family. The burdens of responsibility. Uncertainty about your ambition.

These things are blinding you.

087

My ambition ?

The same was true of your father and your brother. They were men who sought to change the world by their own hands. This desire came from their ambition.

Ha ha! So I seek to rule the world, huh?

088

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

What makes you think I have ambitions?

In a turbulent age, all great men have the ambition to make a new world from the ruins of the old. Cao Cao, Shao Yuan, and even Bei Liu, are such men.

I see that same ambition in your eyes.

And how do I go about doing that? By waging war?

Ha... Wait. You think I should start a war?

Think about it. You need to win the public’s trust, quickly and decisively.

But wouldn’t a war cause panic among the people?

A war will do both of those things, as well as increase your land and resources.

People tend to unify when there’s a sword at their throat.

Thank you, Su Lu. Your counsel is most welcome.

So a war would strengthen my position both outside and in...

089

How dare you!

Zhao Zhang was angry at Yu Zhou for recommending Su Lu as an advisor.

I thought you were loyal to the Sun family! How could you do this without consulting me first?

WHAM

Su Lu is a novice! Why did you put his name forward?

Calm down, Zhao Zhang. I have a perfectly good reason for doing what I did.

Ha! Enlighten me, please. I promised Ce Sun on his deathbed that I would help his brother assume power.

Sigh You know he’s not ready for this. So what good is appointing a novice like Su Lu?

090

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Zhang, You really don’t know why I did it?

Think of who Quan Sun’s advisors are right now. Pu Cheng, Dang Han, Tai Zhou, and Wu Chen, These are men with a great deal of experience, all of it in the service of Ce Sun.

But Quan Sun is young, and he has yet to accomplish anything, so he has little authority over those around him. He doesn’t have their confidence.

no! And I’m done guessing, so tell me.

So what? What’s your plan?

A strong leader is the only thing that can unify the people of JiangDong.

In order for Quan Sun to rule effectively, he needs to show people that he is a man of ambition.

091

JiangDong must be expanded. This province must be the foundation of a new nation.

But for this to happen, old and new must be united behind Quan Sun, and not secondguessing every decision he makes.

Do you get it now? I recommend­ ed someone from the outside so that there wouldn’t be internal bickering between the elder advisors. I see...

092

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

If that’s your reasoning, then Su Lu makes a lot of sense.

That’s part of my reasoning, but it is not all of it.

There is one more thing that must be done.

One more thing?

Yes. An event that will leave no doubt that Commander Quan Sun is in charge.

What is it?

Hm... War!!

093

Chapter 3

Shao Yuan, Cao Cao, and the Battle of GuanDu 200 AD

Summary Shao Yuan had been plotting with Ce Sun

offensive, constructs massive catapults that

to wage war against Cao Cao. When Ce

launch enormous boulders at the enemy

Sun died, his surviving brother brokered a

forces which destroy the earthen shelters

peace with Cao Cao. Infuriated, Shao Yuan

Shao Yuan’s forces have built to protect

sets out with 700,000 soldiers to do battle

themselves and kill several soldiers at a

with Cao Cao on his own. When Cao Cao

time.

learns of this, he sets out with 70,000 elite



soldiers and meets Shao Yuan at GuanDu.

broth­­ers are plotting out their next move.

Despite an overwhelming advantage in

While Yu Guan, Fei Zhang, and several ad­

terms of manpower, Shao Yuan is not as

visors recommend a swift and aggressive

strategically clever as Cao Cao. In addition,

action to take advantage of Cao Cao’s

he is a vain and temperamental leader who

absence from his homeland, Bei Liu urges

does not like it when his advisors devise

patience, arguing that the brothers lack

plans that exceed his own strategies.

the firepower necessary to do battle with

Because of this, Shao Yuan attacks full on

even a smaller residual force left behind by

instead of dragging the battle out and

Cao Cao. Bei Liu decides they will remain

starving Cao Cao’s forces of much needed

patient and build up their strength for the

supplies. Cao Cao, in response to this

future.

Meanwhile, Bei Liu and his sworn

Zhuo

ChangShan

BeiHai

a PuYang XiaoPei

GuanDu

XiaPi Tong Pass

B

LuoYang

XuZhou

XuChang

ChangAn

NanYang ShouChun River Huai

XiangYang

a

HeFei

DanTu

Shao Yuan sets out for XuChang with 700,000 soldiers to do battle with Cao Cao.

B

Cao Cao learns of Shao Yuan’s plan and confronts the enormous army in GuanDu with 70,000 elite soldiers.

Later that year, Shao Yuan led his forces into battle against Cao Cao’s army in GuanDu.

Shao Yuan

Lan Gao

096

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Qiong Chunyu

He Zhang

Meng Han

097

M U D M DUM DU Liao Zhang

098

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Huang Xu

Cao Cao

Chu Xu

Dian Li

099

Look at that! Well, what do we think? Is anyone afraid of Shao Yuan’s massive army?

Are you kidding?

This is no more frightening than confronting a swarm of ants!

Say the word, and I will stomp them out!

100

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

My Lord?

101

HA HA HA!

A swarm of ants! Indeed! They are but common pests.

CLOP CLOP

CLOP CLOP 102

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

I recall that we were friends as young men. And now we face each other as enemies. How did it come to this?

Hello, Shao Yuan.

Save it, Cao Cao. Your sentiment is not only cheap, it’s fake. So don’t start.

The man before me is nothing but a traitor.

I’ve come to make you pay for holding the emperor hostage and corrupting the royal court.

Ha! You greedy little fool! Are you this unsatisfied with your position in life?

103

You’re not here for justice. You’re here because you want the throne for yourself!

The throne is not the issue, you are!

If that’s the case, then why do you have half a million soldiers standing behind you?

Spare me the riddles, you louse!

Think about the army you raised. An army that big serves not fidelity, but personal ambition!

104

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

You can twist my words into a knot, but you’ve still betrayed your nation!

I am here under secret orders from His Majesty! Your reign as puppet master has come to an end!

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six…

If you don’t back down in the next ten seconds, your life will be the only thing that ends.

Five, four, three, two, one…

105

Shao Yuan’s army, which numbered more than 700,000 soldiers, flooded the lands of GuanDu like a tidal wave until they crashed into 70,000 of Cao Cao’s most elite troops.

The battle between Cao Cao and Shao Yuan was fierce…

ZHInG ZHInG

G n I H Z SHOOMP

That was close…

108

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

My Lord! Shao Yuan’s men are heavily fortified behind these massive earthen hills they’ve built. We have no clear shots at them.

GAH! Please… Help me…

109

I don’t care about their tactics. Stand your ground, no matter what!

But My Lord! We’re getting butchered out there!

Just wait. Where is Jia Guo?

Here, My Lord. It’s done. Sorry it took so long.

110

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Ha!

At last!

Jia Guo, you devised this plan without sleeping for days.

Liao Zhang! This is our new battle plan! What is it?

koff, koff It was worth every waking moment.

Imagine the gods firing mountains instead of arrows! Ha ha ha!

111

Keep firing! Do not let up! We cannot give them even a moment’s advantage!

That’s right, Cao Cao. I’ll bury you with arrows where you stand.

Your strategy has been masterful, my Lord.

Ha! nice try. Did you think I was too vain to notice your blatant sucking up?

I think even Feng Tian and Shou Ju wouldn’t have thought of some­ thing so great.

113

Of course not, My Lord. I just despise how they always second guess you.

But I will not tolerate backstabbing! If you have an issue with Fen Dian and Shou Ju, take it up with them!

I know. I wish they would realize my plans are better.

I need all of my advisors united behind my cause. I will accept nothing less!

Stop! Everyone’s attitude will change after this day. They will change, or there will be hell to pay!

114

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Yes, My Lord! That is why I raise the point. I can’t accept how they--

From this day forward, I will suffer no man who burdens my mind with wasted words. I am my own advisor.

115

DUM DUM DUM

Huh? Where is that dust storm coming from?

What is it?

My Lord! A Message!

116

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

And an urgent message at that!

Cao Cao’s army has built enormous catapults! Our fortified positions have been smashed!

Catapults!

They are hurl­ ing boulders the size of carriages, and our archers have been wiped out!

Cao Cao has re­ sorted to cowards’ tactics.

My Lord?

Hm. That’s a very good idea. Order the men to start digging tunnels. We’ll burrow right under them and attack.

The air is our enemy. So we must take advantage of the earth.

117

H S O O HAW

WHAM HA 118

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

H HA A!

WHOMP Jia Guo! Your handy work has won the day for us!

now you must take care of your health.

Don’t worry about me, My Lord. koff, koff

119

Besides, we must focus on the next step. We have turned the skies against them, so their next step will be to burrow through the earth.

That cough is getting worse.

I feel fine. The taste of victory is keeping me healthy.

koff, koff koff, koff

It seems great minds think alike, Jia Guo. I’ve already order­ed the men to flood their tunnels and drown them.

120

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Come now, let these men help you to a place where you can rest.

Really, I’m fine. koff, koff, koff

Shao Yuan’s camp My Lord!

Tu GUO

The enemy has flooded our tunnels. The men are drowning by the hundreds!

no! How could I not have expected this?

My Lord! We no longer have the ability to defeat them in battle. But their supply lines have been cut, and their provisions are scarce. If we dig in, we could probably last until their food and water have run out.

121

My Lord! We are simply out of options.

Is that so? Would you believe that’s exactly what Feng Tian and Shou Ju advised me to do?

Is this some kind of plot?

My Lord! We bring a message from Shou Ju.

FLIK HMPH... 122

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Well, go ahead! Take a look at it!

!

? Besides, this plan was written by a felon! What is it?

It’s a plan. It says to create a diversion in the east and then attack from the west. This could work, but the plan has weaknesses.

He’s right! If you take Shou Ju’s advice while he is in jail, you will have thrown away the trust of your subjects.

123

So what are you saying? That I should ignore this plan?

Don’t get us wrong. Shou Ju’s so there is no scheme is brilliant. guarantee it will But Cao Cao is also a brilliant work. And if it does work, everyone will strategist, know it was Shou Ju’s plan, and you’ll still be disgraced.

Believe it or not, I’m not that concerned with my reputation.

Of course, My Lord.

124

But I know better than to take the advice of a felon.

A wise choice, for sure.

Once again, Shao Yuan’s ego and indecisiveness got the better of him. He ignored the advice of an advisor he had imprisoned for being clever and played into the hands of two schemers.

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Meanwhile, in Bei Liu’s camp... Go on.

My Lord, you must understand that we won’t get a better chance than this. Shao Yuan has pinned down Cao Cao’s forces in GuanDu.

He’s right. Those two will grind each other into dust before this is over. Meanwhile, Quan Sun is incapable of governing JianDong.

Yong Gan

This is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.

125

Zhu Mi

There is no cavalry coming to Cao Cao’s rescue. He has placed all of his armaments in GuanDu.

Gan Sun

Also, time is against him. not only does he not have reinforcements, he is running out of provi­sions.

BAM All right, all right! The choice is obvious! Big brother, why are you silent?

Shao Yuan and Cao Cao are bleeding each other dry.

We could practically dance into XuChang without losing a man and rescue the emperor before dinner!

126

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Pi Liu

DU GONG

We agree, commander. Say the word and we will carry out the task ourselves.

Please, brother. The time has come.

Hm…

What do you think, Yun Zhao?

127

Shao Yuan is a prideful man, and he values strength. Cao Cao is a far more pragmatic thinker. So on the surface it would seem like Cao Cao is no match for the 700,000 men of Shao Yuan, but...

YUN Zhao

If he can withstand the assault of an army ten times the size of his own, it is foolish to assume he hasn’t left a force to defend his province.

Cao Cao has withstood the assault by taking advantage of geography and brilliant strategy.

I couldn’t agree more with Yun Zhao.

But you have Yu Guan and me! not to mention Yun Zhao, Pi Liu, and Du Gong... You don’t think we can handle any force he’s left behind?

128

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

So we run into some resistance.

Just give us that chance, My Lord.

There isn’t a single head-to-head fight I would shy away from.

Pi Liu, Du Gong...

I admire your commitment. I do. Honestly, it makes me proud to call you allies.

But I have thought this over long and hard. Sure, we could occupy us some XuChang. of our But doing so fighting would cost force, and by the time we took over, the battle in GuanDu would be over.

And it doesn’t matter who emerges victorious, Cao Cao or Shao Yuan… The winner of the battle is certain to attack us.

129

TRUE... FAIR ENOUGH...

So while Shao Yuan and Cao Cao are tearing each other apart, we should build up our troop strength here, yes?

That’s right, Yun Zhao. Whoever wins the battle of GuanDu…

130

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

That person will become our enemy by default, and we need to be ready.

Shao Yuan’s soldier

Chapter 4

Cao Cao Victorious 200 AD

Summary As the battle of GuanDu drags on, Cao

troops into two groups, ordering one

Cao’s forces feel the effects of their lack

to WuChao and the other to attack Cao

of supplies and provisions. When one of

Cao’s fortress while he is in WuChao. But

Shao Yuan’s advisors, You Xu, recommends

what Shao Yuan doesn’t realize is that this

launching a surprise attack, he is repri-

time Cao Cao is setting a trap, and in the

manded for not anticipating that Cao Cao

resulting chaos Shao Yuan’s forces end

could be setting a trap. Frustrated by his

up fighting themselves both in WuChao

leader’s lack of judgment and foresight,

and at the gates of Cao Cao’s fortress.

You Xu surrenders to Cao Cao’s forces and

As a result, Shao Yuan’s forces are utterly

offers to help them win the battle. He tells

decimated both by Cao Cao’s army and

Cao Cao the secret location of Shao Yuan’s

their own hands. Shao Yuan is forced to

supply base, the village of WuChao. Cao

retreat from GuanDu in disgrace, taking

Cao immediately dispatches an attack

with him all that remains of the nearly one

squad to destroy the supply base. When

million soldiers he took into battle: 800

Shao Yuan discovers that WuChao has

mounted troops.

been attacked, he divides his remaining

ChangShan

BeiHai

PuYang XiaoPei

WuChao

Tong Pass

XiaPi

GuanDu

LuoYang

XuZhou

XuChang

ChangAn

NanYang ShouChun

River Huai

XiangYang

HeFei

DanTu

LiYang BaiMa

llow Ye

River PuYang

er Riv

WuChao

YuanWu

a GuanDu

B

BiA nR ive r

LeGeND XuChang

a

Yuan’s march Cao’s march

Cao Cao attacks WuChao, where Shao Yuan has established a supply base, and scatters the regiment of troops Shao Yuan has dispatched to reclaim to village.

B

Cao Cao’s elite troops defeat Shao Yuan’s remaining forces in GuanDu, and two of Shao Yuan’s commanders, He Zhang and Lan Gao, surrender to Cao Cao.

In GuanDu, Cao Cao was holding a strategy meeting. Zzz…

Zzz…

Chu Xu

Chu Xu, run! There’s a tiger behind you!

Guh! What?! Tiger? Where?

134

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

I, uh… Apolo­ gies, My Lord.

HUH?

HA! A H A H This is a strategy session, not nap time. Are we boring you?

no, My Lord! I just… I apologize.

135

My Lord! We have a situation. This battle has gone on far longer than we expected. We are running out of supplies. Fast.

If we don’t want this to be the last battle we ever fight, we should withdraw to XuChang.

Hm...

Dian Li

At this rate, we’ll lose before we start fighting again.

Well, Chu Xu. What do you think?

Me? What do I think?

Well, personally I don’t like losing wars before I’ve had the chance to fight them. Ha ha!

136

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

HA HA HA!

now listen up. We face not just 700,000 troops, but another 300,000 mounted soldiers.

Hm.

We can’t show even a moment’s weakness. If we do, they will know about it.

Chu Xu, you are nothing if not honest.

In addition, there are at least a dozen other lords and advisors from a half dozen provinces waiting for the chance to attack us.

If we hesitate or take even one step backward, they will spring at us like wild dogs.

So retreat of any kind is out of the question. We stay in GuanDu, even if it means we get buried here.

137

I’m sorry, but what good is only moving forward if we march headfirst into the killing blow?

Progress is not always a matter of forward movement. Sometimes reflec­tion and inward thinking can result in an idea that will allow us to win.

My Lord, urgent news!

Shao Yuan’s advisor You Xu is here!

That didn’t require much reflec­­tion at all, did it?

You mean he surrendered? Ha! What are the odds?

138

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Tell me, what do you make of You Xu surrender­ ing to us?

It makes sense. Shao Yuan cannot stand to be around better men.

He once sent his most brilliant strategist to jail for being smarter than him.

I’ll bet You Xu is here because otherwise he’d be dead or in jail.

139

Guess what! I’ve got good news!

Shao Yuan’s provisions and supply base is in WuChao.

Shao Yuan isn’t smart enough to pull off a trick like that. You Xu’s information is solid.

We must launch a surprise attack against it, and soon.

My Lord, how can we trust this isn’t a trap?

140

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Don’t worry.

Jia Guo!

Draw up a battle plan at once.

Yes, My Lord. I’ll have one before you can burn a stick of incense.

All right, gentlemen! The time has arrived! I am going to finish off Shao Yuan with my own two hands.

141

Shao Yuan’s supply base in Wuchao

GLUG GLUG GLUG

GULP

brrp

Qiong Chunyu

BRUUUP

Mmm… Tasty.

142

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Well, that’s all for the liquor and appetizers!

Someone replenish the alcohol and bring some boiled meat!

BRRP Hello?

Where is everyone?

I said we need more boiled meat!

We’re out of boiled meat! Try these! They’re fresh!

SHOOM

143

SMACK Cao Cao?!

What? What is going on?!

HUH? 144

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

145

Cao Cao had led 5,000 troops on a surprise attack against WuChao, where they burned all of Shao Yuan’s supplies.

Shao Yuan’s camp My Lord!

We have a big problem! There’s a giant cloud of black smoke over WuChao!

Over WuChao? That’s the base of our supply line!

148

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

WuChao must be engulfed in flames!

Word has it they disguised themselves as friendly soldiers.

I don’t understand. There were guards all over the place. How could this have happened?

That moron Qiong ChunYu has cost us our supply base!

Damn it!

149

He Zhang

My Lord, allow Lan Gao and me to go there and fight.

My Lord, I highly doubt he would have left his fortress unmanned. There will be soldiers there to defend it. If we’re busy fighting them and Cao Cao’s forces return, we’re doomed.

150

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Lan Gao

Forget it! Cao Cao’s men will have overrun the place.

What about his base fortress? It’s probably empty. We could take it over with ease.

Go with Lang Gao and attack the fortress. Qi Jiang, go win back WuChao!

t? Wha Are you id afra ao of C ? Cao

Sigh

Yes, My Lord.

151

Qi Jiang was on his way to reclaim WuChao when he crossed paths with a familiar face. Qi Jiang! It’s Qiong ChunYu! Cao Cao is headed for the east. If you hurry, you can catch him!

He’s headed east?! Then clear out of the way, you fool!

Follow me, men! We head east!

Move! Fast as your horses can carry you!

152

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Qi Jiang

CLOP CLOP CLOP

HA HA!

Don’t get me wrong, Qiong ChunYu, you’re a fine actor. Ha!

How gullible!

153

What are they doing?

HUH?

They are trying to ambush us! Loose your arrows! Fire!

FWIP FWIP FWIP no ing fall ! k bac

e! rg Cha

ZHIn GZ HInG

154

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

OMP O H S

GAH!

WHOMP Follow my lead! We’ll cut our way through their ranks!

! ! ! H H A A Y 155

Qi Jiang had led his troops into a full attack without even knowing the identity of the enemy soldiers.

Die, you pig!

KLAnG!

Stop this! Commander Qi Jiang, what are you doing? Wait a minute… These are Qiong ChunYu’s troops!

Cease fighting, all of you! These are friendly forces!

156

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

This must be a trick. Qiong ChunYu was cap--

GRUH!

What the? Who shot that arrow?!

P M O H S What’s the matter, Qi Jiang? Don’t you recognize a death trap when you see one?

DUM DUM DUM

157

Every man with a bow, fire at will!

P I W F FWI FWI

Z HOOM

158

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

P

P

A A A

! ! ! H A

Meanwhile, He Zhang and Lan Gao were attacking Cao Cao’s base fortress.

!!! H H AA

Y

WHOMP

LAD

GU H !

160

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

P! U S DE R

CLIMB!

KRONCH

GAH!

CHARGE!

This is not working!

We’re getting wiped out down here, and the enemy has barely moved an inch!

161

If Cao Cao returns and cuts off our retreat, we’re finished!

Where are the reinforcements?

On their way. We have no choice but to withstand this until they come.

162

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

All right, Qiong ChunYu. Time to show off those acting skills again.

Ow! He Zhang! Lang Gao! Help has arrived!

C LOP

C LOP C LOP 163

Like Qi Jiang, He Zhang and Lan Gao didn’t know which army they were dealing with.

C LO P C LO P Look! Over there! The cavalry has come!

Commander He Zhang!

Commander Lan Gao!

164

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

WHOO SH ...

K HR

We are saved! The reinforce­ ments have finally arr--

IT’S A TRAP! IT’S THE ENE

MY!

SHOMP

YAAHH!!!

FLEE!

165

My Lord! Urgent news!

My Lord… Qi Jiang’s forces fell into a trap. They were lured into a battle against their fellow soldiers.

A battle between friendly forces?

167

My Lord! We’ve just received word from Cao Cao’s fortress. The battle is lost.

They are pinned down by Cao Cao’s forces. They’re get­ ting wiped out.

My Lord! More news! He Zhang and Lan Gao have surrendered to Cao Cao.

He Zhang and Lan Gao have surrendered?

168

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

I’m ed! ruin

u, n yo Dam Cao! Cao these of ts One our wi ! y u s day fail yo l l i w

At the start of the Battle of GuanDu, Shao Yuan had led a fighting force of almost one million men against the forces of Cao Cao. By the time he was forced to retreat, 800 mounted soldiers were all who remained.

170

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

THREE KINGDOMS: THEMES

SOLITUDE, AMBITION, AND DEATH

Solitude, ambition, and death are three of the most important themes of Three Kingdoms. The story follows numerous individuals who, for reasons both good and bad, have alienated themselves from the world around them. Often, the alienation comes as a result of each individual’s tremendous ambition to one day rule China. And more often than not, the combination of ambition and solitude results in a profound and irreversible corruption of what were originally selfless ideals, the result of which is an untimely, and often painful, death. Such a death is the unfortunate legacy of the Sun family. Jian Sun, a legendary and beloved soldier, held himself in such high regard that he felt he was an unsurpassed leader of people and refused to believe he could be threatened by another living being. This hubris resulted in reckless behavior on the battlefield, and Jian Sun was killed in a fairly simple ambush at a young age, his land and title

172

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

falling to one of his sons, Ce. Like his father, Ce Sun’s initial desire was to do right by the people in a way his father failed to achieve. Nevertheless, the desire to deliver peace to the people of his nation became a secondary consideration; the first was establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing battle to win the throne of China. When Ce Sun is likewise murdered in an ambush, the ghostly specter of his father appears to reveal to his son that the single best way to assert your power – waging war – is also the single greatest threat to the initial ideal of achieving a unified and peaceful nation. It is a final lesson that Ce Sun has a hard time comprehending because he spent so long indulging his ambition that he forgot what it meant to be a selfless servant of the nation. Against this backdrop, it is clear that Bei Liu, Yu Guan, and Fei Zhang are extremely lucky to have found and pledged their lives to one another when they did. Because the oath they swore cannot be broken by anything but

173

THREE KINGDOMS: THEMES

death, the three men are bound to each other no matter how profoundly they disagree. And because they cannot sever the tie that binds them, they are unable to disconnect themselves from the world around them in such a way that would result in a fate similar to Jian and Ce Sun’s. When Yu Guan and Fei Zhang encourage their eldest brother to once more go to war with Cao Cao, Bei Liu is able to think about more than just his reputation, and he preaches caution; he doesn’t want to risk the lives of his sworn brothers or their allies. The basic math of Three Kingdoms is that solitude plus ambition equals death. Luckily for Bei Liu and his brothers, the oath they swore to one another ensures that ambition and death aren’t the only two factors in the equation.

174

Three Kingdoms Volume 7

Vol. 01

Vol. 02

Vol. 03

Vol. 04

Vol. 05

Vol. 06

Vol. 07

Vol. 08

Vol. 09

Vol. 10

Vol. 11

Vol. 12

Vol. 13

Vol. 14

Vol. 15

Vol. 16

Vol. 17

Vol. 18

Vol. 19

Vol. 20

AN EPIC ADAPTATION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY LEGEND

Monkey King is a twenty-volume comic book series based on the legendary Chinese novel The Journey to the West. Monkey King is a new landmark in Chinese comic artistry as one of the representative comic works of China.

NOW AVAILABLE!

“...Invaluable...beautiful artwork...commendable efforts to bring the characters to life.” – Publishers Weekly

When Bei Liu, Yu Guan, and Fei Zhang are finally reunited after the disastrous battle against Cao Cao left them separated, they recommit themselves to the blood oath they swore to restore their homeland. But upholding the oath will not be easy. Cao Cao still controls much of the nation, and a new power is emerging in the east. Battle lines will be drawn, and more than one brotherhood will be tested. Acclaimed as one of the Four Great Novels of Chinese Literature, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a classic of Eastern storytelling, whose influence is as widespread and lasting as Shakespeare’s.

In collaboration with Tianjin Shenjie Comics, China

www.jrcomics.com

All-Ages . Adventures . Action