Three Kingdoms Volume 18: The Kingdoms Crumble [1 ed.] 9788998341688

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Wei Dong Chen • Xiao Long Liang

The Kingdoms Crumble

Vol.

18

Vol.

18

“...An ambitious series...useful for educators looking for ways to make Asian history and culture come alive.” – School Library Journal

“...An accessible introduction to Chinese historical fiction.” – Booklist

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

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.

Vol. 18

The Kingdoms Crumble Created by

WEI DONG CHEN

Wei Dong Chen is a highly acclaimed artist and an influential leader in the “New Chinese Cartoon” trend. He is the founder of Creator World, the largest comics studio in China. His spirited and energetic work has attracted many students to his tutelage. He has published more than 300 cartoons in several countries and gained both recognition and admirers across Asia, Europe, and the USA. Mr. Chen’s work is serialized in several publications, and he continues to explore new dimensions of the graphic medium.

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.

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 2014. All rights reserved. Scanning, uploading, and electronic distribution of this book is prohibited.

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.

Characters

Volume 18

BEI LIU Bei Liu is the King of Western Shu. He began as a peasant of distant royal descent who, along with Yu Guan and Fei Zhang, pledged his life to the cause of restoring the Han Dynasty. Over the decades, he has been slow to come to power, always placing an emphasis on benevolence and never resorting to unnecessary cruelty. But when Yu Guan is killed in battle, Bei Liu is overwhelmed by grief and orders his forces to attack Eastern Wu.

FEI ZHANG Like his sworn brother Bei Liu, Fei Zhang is overwhelmed by grief at the death of Yu Guan. But unlike Bei Liu, Fei Zhang isn’t afraid to direct his wrath at his own men. Such poor treatment endangers not only his men’s lives, but also his own.

LIANG ZHUGE Liang Zhuge is Bei Liu’s most senior advisor. For years he has guided Bei Liu with an uncanny sense of unfolding events, formulating strategies so successful that some thought he could read his enemies’ minds. But when Yu Guan is killed, Liang Zhuge is no longer able to advise his master, who becomes obsessed with avenging Yu Guan’s death, at the expense of the plan they have spent years realizing.

SHAN LIU Shan Liu was born to Bei Liu and his first wife, Lady Gan. At 16 years of age, he is named crown prince and heir apparent. When his father succumbs to madness and the need for revenge, it becomes clear that Shan Liu will be called on to lead far earlier than he expected.

SHANGXIANG SUN ShangXiang Sun is Bei Liu’s wife and Quan Sun’s younger sister. Her marriage was meant to be part of Quan Sun’s plan to kill Bei Liu, but fate intervened and the two fell in love. But ShangXiang’s conflicting loyalties have always caused tension in her marriage, and she and Bei Liu were separated when Quan Sun called her back to Eastern Wu. Now, she will once more find herself at the center of a deadly conflict between her brother and the man she loves.

Characters

Volume 18

CAO CAO Cao Cao is the King of Wei, and has spent almost three decades as the most powerful man in China. He rose from the ranks of the feudal lords who originally revolted against the tyrannical rule of Zhuo Dong and assumed the role of prime minister, second in power only to the emperor. He maintained his grip on power by any means necessary, and would resort to murderous cruelty often. Now he is deathly ill, and must impart as much wisdom as possible to his son Pi Cao, who will assume control when he’s gone.

PI CAO When Cao Cao declared himself King of Wei, he named Pi crown prince and heir apparent to the throne, citing his willingness to do whatever is necessary to maintain power. Shortly after assuming control, Pi Cao displaces the emperor and anoints himself emperor.

YI SIMA Yi Sima is a longtime advisor to the Cao family, and in recent years he has been Pi Cao’s most trusted advisor. When Pi Cao is named the heir apparent to his father’s throne, Yi Sima is treated with contempt by Pi Cao’s brothers, namely Zhen Cao. But Yi Sima didn’t get this far by being foolish, and soon Zhen Cao will find out what happens when you incur his wrath.

QUAN SUN Quan Sun is the ruler of Eastern Wu and brother-in-law of Bei Liu. When Quan Sun’s forces capture and execute Yu Guan, Bei Liu vows revenge and declares all-out war on Eastern Wu. Quan Sun’s forces are no match for Bei Liu’s army or his rage, so Quan Sun must figure out a way to lessen the tensions with Bei Liu before it’s too late for both of them.

XUN LU Xun Lu was selected as a senior advisor to Quan Sun at a young age, but he has repeatedly demonstrated a sharp mind for military tactics and civic rule. When Bei Liu rushes his army into battle against the unprepared forces of Eastern Wu, Xun Lu must demonstrate wisdom beyond his years if he is to defeat Bei Liu’s army and preserve Eastern Wu.

Chapter 1

The Death of Cao Cao 220 AD

Summary News of Yu Guan’s death travels fast, and

succumbed to madness and Cao Cao is

soon a grief-stricken Fei Zhang is pounding

deathly ill.

on the door of Bei Liu’s palace, demanding



an audience. However, Liang Zhuge refuses

worse, and he dies shortly after turning his

Fei Zhang entry, as he believes Fei Zhang’s

throne over to his son Pi. After Cao Cao’s

presence will only amplify Bei Liu’s own

death, Pi Cao displaces Emperor Xian and

grief. Meanwhile, Quan Sun brainstorms

declares himself the supreme ruler of

his next moves now that Bei Liu has

China.

Cao Cao’s health takes a turn for the

You Bing

Ji Qing

n Ya Liang

Si Li

Xu

XuChang

Yu C

A ChengDu

B

Jing Yang

Yi

Jiao

Cao Cao Quan Sun Bei Liu

A After Yu Guan’s death, Quan Sun takes control of Jing Province, making it part of Eastern Wu.

B Bei Liu plots his revenge in ChengDu, the capital of Western Shu.

C Pi Cao declares himself emperor in XuChang, the capital of Wei Kingdom.

Shu Kingdom

D,

OR L Y M

P!

STO

Please, My Lord! We were given explicit orders --no one is to come inside!

010

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

I’m here to see my brother. Stand aside!

Get out of my way or I’ll kill you all!

HRRM...

My Lord, please.

Da Zhang

I must insist--

011

Shut your mouth!

FUMP

You don’t get to insist on anything!

SMACK OOF

!

Fei Zhang, stop it! Leave him be! Guh! Pull him off me!

012

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

It’s about damn time! Where have you been, Liang Zhuge?

I’m here to see Bei Liu, but these imbeciles won’t let me through!

I specifically told them not to let you in.

Calm down. They are following orders. Mine.

Huh?

Your brother is sick with grief. He can barely hold down water since Yu Guan died.

He needs this time for quiet reflection, so he can keep a level head.

013

That’s enough of your insults, you little maggot!

You are not a calming presence. You would only make matters worse.

What’s going through your head, huh?

My brother was murdered in cold blood. Do you really think this is the time for quiet reflection?

Answer me!

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Three Kingdoms Volume 18

SHOONK Fei Zhang, calm down before you do something stupid!

I am just as angry about Yu Guan’s death as you are. But lashing out and threatening to kill your own people is not helping anyone.

If you’re going to kill anyone, you might as well kill me!

You moron! You think I would hesitate to kill you?!

!

015

OP O W H

It’s not fair... sob

P FWM

Yu Guan is dead, and all I want is to see my other brother! Why won’t you let me?

I just want Yu Guan back!

That’s all.

sob

I know. We all do.

016

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Hrr! Listen to me, Fei Zhang. You need to go back home and get some rest.

You can come back soon. I promise.

Bleah!

koff koff

SPLAT 017

SERV ES HI M RIGH T.

..

RD.

THE

TA BAS

We should have sympathy for him, Da Zhang. His grief is win ning out over his reason.

018

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now get to the doctor. You need stitches. And bed rest.

019

Wu Kingdom So Bei Liu’s been holed up in his palace since it happened?

Yes.

Huh.

I would have thought Bei Liu would seek revenge after Yu Guan’s death. But his grief would appear to have paralyzed him.

In the meantime, word is that Cao Cao is on his deathbed. They don’t expect him to last much beyond the next few days.

020

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

His army has been quiet these last few weeks. In fact, the entirety of Shu Kingdom has been quiet since Yu Guan’s death.

Xun Lu

I’d say fortune smiles on us.

We’ve never had a better chance. It’s like a gift from the heavens.

Indeed, My Lord. I only wish Yu Zhou and Su Lu were here.

They would be so happy to see what’s about to happen.

True. they gave their lives so we could be here.

Their time has passed. This is your time, Xun Lu.

We won’t forget what they did, But we must focus on what’s next.

It’s time for you to show the world what you can do. You have my full support.

Thank you, My Lord.

021

I’m flattered that you have such faith in my abilities, My Lord.

I’m not yet sure if I can live up to your expecta­ tions. But...

Did I mention I hate false modesty?

022

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Soldier of Eastern Wu

Wei Kingdom Well, what news? What’s the situation with my father?

Things have turned for the worse, My Lord. It won’t be long now.

024

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Very well.

Get out. All of you.

Sigh

FATHER...?

025

Father, it’s me. Can you hear me? Father!

Pipe down. I hear you. Are they all here?

026

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

We are all here, My Lord.

Fine. huff You all know how I came to power, and what I aimed to achieve. But ...

there is unfinished business, and its name is Western Shu.

I want you all to help my son finish what I started. Conquer Western Shu.

nothing else matters. huff, huff

Ghk!

Rest easy, My Lord. We have the best doctors alive tend­ ing to you. You’ll pull through this.

027

He’s right. You’ll be back on your feet in no time, father.

Zhen Cao

Spare me your lies. You think I can’t tell what my final hours look like?

028

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

now, I have business to discuss with my heir. Please leave us.

I will do everything in my power to cure your illness!

Father, I swear to you...

Don’t be stupid, my boy. It’s my time.

sob, sob

You will recover from this. I promise.

You’re only fooling yourself. Grh, hrr...

You can’t pull the wool over a dead man’s eyes.

!

not until he’s dead, anyway.

029

A father knows his son better than anyone. So don’t lie to me.

Knowing the thoughts of others is half of ruling. And I know your mind.

You don’t have to worry, though.

I wish there were more time... To tell you the secrets I’ve learned during my life. But it’s too late for that.

There’s a reason I chose you.

wheez

Of all my sons, you are the shrewdest one. Able to make hard choices. Do hard things.

030

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

You’re a born ruler, Pi Cao. You can be what others can’t.

It’s hard.

As it must be. You are young.

Cruel… And kind.

But know that I believe in you. And know that I love y--

FUM P 031

Father... Father?

Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? Why did you never tell me that you loved me? Why are you telling me now? sob

032

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

I love you. Father! no, it’s okay. Go to sleep, now...

In 220 AD, the legendary Cao Cao, ruler of the Wei Kingdom, succumbed to illness and died. After his death, his son Pi Cao succeeded him and was met with widespread support from his father’s advisors and his subjects.

The coronation of Pi Cao, the King of Wei A king. Me! I’m a king!

Hm...

Heh. Heh! Ha ha!

! ! ! A H A H A H A H 034

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

THMP THMP

035

SHHWWOOO

036

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

037

My Lord! Your people humbly ask that you assume the throne and rule all the sun touches.

Take possession of the royal seal, and take your place as emperor!

Not long after he inherited his father’s throne, Pi Cao dethroned Emperor Xian, declared himself supreme ruler, and changed the country’s name to Great Wei.

Emperor Xian

038

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

039

040

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Please, Commander Yi Sima, stay inside. You don’t need to see me out.

Sure I do.

I would never slight a supreme commander who pays a visit to my modest home.

I call it a palace. Huh? You call this modest?

041

I admit, it is far better than I deserve.

Don’t be so humble. Everyone knows you deserve a tile-roofed estate for your efforts.

But it’s only mine because of His Majesty’s generosity. I’d be content with a grassroofed hut.

Mind your tongue!

After all, you’re the man who has His Majesty in the palm of his hand.

Zhao Sima

Shi Sima

We best be going. Hyah!

Hm. What was that about? Who is he to talk about you that way?

042

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Like a growing number, he is jealous. We’d better get used to it.

Huh. Oh, well.

Many people want you to lead Why do them. you try to keep hiding?

I haven’t done anything to earn people’s jealousy. I just want to keep a low profile.

He’s right.

I promise you, actually uniting people is far more difficult than your imaginings.

Imagine how much honor it would bring to our family to unite the people.

Besides, if I am truly meant to be a leader, then an opportunity will present itself in time.

043

Chapter 2

Bei Liu on the Warpath 221 AD

Summary Liang Zhuge, along with many of Bei Liu’s

refused. Bei Liu’s advisors are distressed,

advisors, is desperately trying to convince

and worry that their master is marching

his master to listen to reason and temper

them all to their deaths. Liang Zhuge urges

his desire to avenge Yu Guan’s death. His

them to continue lobbying Bei Liu for

anger is causing distress not only in his

another solution.

royal court, but among the public as well.



The advisors seek to reassure the public of

brother’s order, he weeps with joy. But in

Bei Liu’s legitimacy as heir to the throne of

the rush to battle, Fei Zhang berates and

China, so they name him emperor and give

threatens his own men to the point where

him the imperial seal of the Han Dynasty,

they kill him in his sleep and defect to the

which is just as powerful a symbol as the

Eastern Wu. The news solidifies Bei Liu’s

royal seal Pi Cao has.

mind, and he marches into war flanked by



Ping Guan and Bao Zhang, the sons of his

However, once he becomes

emperor, Bei Liu issues a royal decree to attack Eastern Wu, an order that cannot be

When Fei Zhang learns of his

dead brothers.

XuChang

ChangAn

FanCheng

HanZhong

XiangYang BaiDi ChengDu

A

ChangBan

YiLing

B XiaoTing

JiangXia

JingZhou

JiangLing Red Cliffs

ChaiSang

YuZhang ChangSha

A Bei Liu mobilizes his army and attacks Eastern Wu. B Xun Lu meets Bei Liu in YiLing.

What does it say?

Yan Li

Jing Xu

Zhu Mi

It says Pi Cao has dethroned the emperor!

Yes ... I expected something like this to happen. Once Pi Cao was named heir to the throne, it was only a matter of time.

My Lord...

046

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

This most recent event means we must be cautious, and attentive to public unrest.

Is that so?

You want caution?

You want me to tiptoe around the traitors who killed my brother?

I’ll put the public at ease right now! I’ll begin by destroying Eastern Wu!

How about that, Liang Zhuge?

Give the order! All soldiers are to be battleready right away!

I will obliterate every last person in Eastern Wu! I’ll wipe the kingdom right off the map! My Lord, please!

Please calm down! You’re not thinking!

Yes I am! And I think I’ll kill Pi Cao as well!

047

Sigh It is not difficult to understand how he feels since Yu Guan was killed.

Those two were as close as two people can be. Closer than most blood relations.

But if he continues to lash out in anger like this, we are doomed.

Everything we’ve fought so hard to achieve will be lost.

048

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

I know.

There is still a good chance for things to turn in our favor.

Once we regain our footing, we can reclaim the central districts. That’s the most important next step.

Only after that can we turn our attention to Eastern Wu. To do so before then would be total folly.

But Bei Liu is obsessed. He can not be persuaded to wait any longer.

Also, the people are already angry about the war tax he’s levied to pay for the battle against Quan Sun.

Word has spread that Feng Liu and Da Meng were involved in Yu Guan’s death. It’s destroying the morale of the army.

And that’s not even the end of it!

Their faith in him isn’t shaken...

Their faith in his legitimacy is. We need to reassure them that he’s the rightful ruler.

I’m well aware of that. Something must be done.

Yes, that’s a good idea. All of the senior advisors would support such a decision.

Something bold. Something that will restore people’s faith in Bei Liu.

Very well. That’s what we’ll do.

What if we crowned him our own emperor?

049

Speaking of emperors, did you hear what happened after Pi Cao claimed the throne?

Hey!

I’ll tell him about the plan. I don’t think he’ll refuse.

Huh. You know, that would explain things. Apparently, a man named Yi Sima has been promoted to a higher position than Pi Cao’s own nephew. Still, am I wrong to find it strange that an advisor would rank higher than a blood relation?

no.

050

You’re quite right. It is strange.

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

no, but I’m sure we can take a guess.

That must make Zhen Cao angry.

He surrounded himself with minions. Those who agree with him.

But Yi Sima’s the one who guided Pi Cao all these years. If it wasn’t for him, Pi Cao would never have been named heir to the throne.

Yi Sima is cun ning. He’s five steps ahead of us.

I doubt that.

I have followed Yi Sima’s career from the start. Believe me, if he were that cun ning, Cao Cao would have won already.

no, I think Yi Sima schemed his way into Pi Cao’s favor. I’m thinking Pi Cao owes Yi Sima something besides gratitude.

That’s why he values Yi Sima so Because highly. he has no choice.

Huh. You’re sure about this?

Of course!

Think about it. Zhen Cao controls the entire army.

So Pi Cao needs someone to keep his brother in check. Enter Yi Sima.

051

Here, in the month of April, in the year 221, I, Bei Liu, swear to the people, and to the heavens, that I will uphold the unity and peace of the Han Dynasty.

I swear to harness the power of the four winds, To preside with wisdom and benevolence over the earth, land, and sea. Therefore, I accept the imperial seal of the Han Dynasty.

And in doing so, I uphold the royal mantle of the Han dynasty, And the plan of nature.

052

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

053

In 221 AD, Bei Liu of Western Shu ascended the throne of Shu Han, thus continuing the bloodline of the Han Dynasty. He appointed his son, Shan Liu, as heir apparent, and granted Liang Zhuge the title of prime minister. The public was won over by the powerful display of Bei Liu’s ascension, and tranquility was restored almost immediately.

Hurrah!

Hurrah!!

Hurrah!

However, despite his pledge, Bei Liu remained obsessed with waging war against Eastern Wu and avenging Yu Guan’s death.

055

How exciting! His Majesty’s first royal event.

The future can wait. If I were the emperor, the first thing I would do is throw a party that lasts for three weeks. We’ve earned it!

I can’t wait to hear about his plans for the future.

Don’t be silly.

We’re still at war, you know.

Fine, we’re still at war. So no party.

I’d go for that. Liang Zhuge?

056

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

At this rate, I’d settle for a bottle of wine. Help take the edge off.

Here comes His Royal Highness!

057

May I have your attention...

This is my first royal audience. And I intend to mark the occasion. What follows is a royal decree.

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Three Kingdoms Volume 18

G N I SH Without any further delay, we will take up arms against and destroy Quan Sun and the rest of Eastern Wu!

K N O H S 059

E

MY SW The time has come. Do you hear, Yu Guan? At last!

P M W F 060

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

ER...

OTH ET BR

THE WAIT IS OVER! WE’RE GOING TO WAR! SOON YOUR SOUL WILL KNOW PEACE!

Later...

It’s been three days! And only the flags have been changed to white!

Jiang Fan!

Da Zhang!

Da Zhang

Jiang Fan

My Lord, you did. But it’s too much work given the time--

SLAP

062

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

I thought I told you the soldiers are to have white armor!

Shut your mouth!

I give you an order, and you give me nothing but excuses!

WHOMP

You have three more days. And you better not fail me again.

If you do, I’ll strip you of your skin and make the soldiers wear THAT into battle.

Father, please!

Even three more days isn’t enough. You ask too much.

Bao Zhang

063

Don’t start with me, boy! I said three more days!

Tell me, you worthless maggots ...

Gah!

Yes, My Lord.

Is three more days enough? What do you say?

I swear, we’ll have everything ready as you have ordered.

064

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Just... please stop beating us, I beg you!

That’s better. That’s what I like to hear. Understand, I don’t give a damn about your lives. Fail me again...

now go!

And I will feed you to the dogs.

We’re dead men.

E...

NO MOR

065

Prime Minister, please. You must talk sense to His Majesty.

If you don’t, he’s going to get us all killed.

You can’t let him send out that army.

Zhu Mi

Jing Xu

Quan Huang

Yi Ji

I’m afraid it’s too late for words, Even my own. His Majesty has made up his mind, And it can’t be unmade.

Every ounce of his being is focused on avenging Yu Guan’s death.

If I try to intervene now, who knows what the consequences might be.

066

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

This is insane.

Sigh

I might be sick.

not exactly.

I worry that His Majesty is beyond reason, if even Liang Zhuge can’t get through to him.

We’re marching our men to their deaths, aren’t we?

Our army is large and very strong. But His Majesty’s obsession with revenge is stronger.

The man is consumed by rage. Such a man should not lead an army.

I agree. So here’s what we’ll do. The army won’t be ready for three months.

067

But if he insists on sending the army into battle, I will remain behind.

I’d like all of you to weigh in on the matter with His Majesty.

We won’t be able to change his mind overnight, but we have time on our side.

We must tend to the needs of Western Shu.

But at the same time, His Majesty requires a shrewd advisor by his side. Especially in battle.

Quan Huang. I’d like you to be at his side.

068

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Yes, My Lord.

K N WO

SH

There will be no mercy. no remorse. nothing until Quan Sun’s head is smashed to a pulp.

P WH M O H W

OMP

069

Die, you miserable bastard! Die!!!

Your Majesty! Please stop!

SIGH... huff huff

I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I just...

070

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

SHOONK

Your Majesty! Bao Zhang is here. It’s urgent!

071

Your Majesty! sob

Da Zhang and Jiang Fan have defected to Eastern Wu!

They cut off his head while he was asleep!

They were mad at my father for threatening to kill them...

072

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

NO...

SM AS H

YOUR MAJESTY!

YOUR MAJESTY!

073

When Da Zhang and Jiang Fan reached Eastern Wu, they presented Quan Sun with Fei Zhang’s head as a sign of loyalty.

Hmph.

074

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

And there’ve been many.

Well, this has to be the most miserable death in ages.

Shao Yuan and Shu Yuan both were struck down by illness long before it was their time.

Zhuo Dong died in a ditch, begging like a dog. Bu Lu was hanged from the walls of his enemy’s fortress.

Even Cao Cao, who spent his life surrounded by riches, took ill and left this world with nothing. Just the way he entered it.

But this is worse than any of those. Killed by his own men while he slept...

This is just pathetic.

Sad. Heroes deserve better than this. We must all succumb to fate one day, but not like this.

And this little souvenir is dangerous. What do we do with it? And the two who brought it?

075

Well, we have to accept them. We’re in no position to refuse defectors from Shu’s army.

True. But you know full well that Bei Liu would take offense to such a thing.

I can understand taking Da Zhang and Jiang Fen. But we should send the head to Pi Cao.

To say nothing of this head.

I don’t think that’s the best course of action. Don’t forget what happened the last time we sent body parts to Wei Kingdom.

no matter what happens, a battle against Bei Liu is coming. But we’re not ready, So I’ll stall for time, ask if he’ll help us defeat Pi Cao.

076

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Cao Cao buried Yu Guan with honors. We came out looking cruel and petty in victory.

The only way we can beat him is with Bei Liu.

I recall.

So we have no choice in the matter. We must accept the two traitors and their cursed trophy.

Very well.

yawn

Meanwhile, Pi Cao was tending to his royal duties.

I never realized being emperor would involve so much tedious work. Signing decrees all the time will be the death of me. ngh

non­sense, Your Majesty. You will live a long and full life.

Ha ha! That’s kind of you to say. I don’t mind the encouragement.

077

Tell me something, Yi Sima. My brother Zhen says that many of the senior counselors are talking about me behind my back. Would you mind telling me what they’re saying?

They’re criticiz­ ing what I tell you. They want to curry favor with you.

Why? Because they’re jealous of the job I’ve given you? Yes, Your Majesty. Each of them wants to be where I am. Including your brother.

Well, it’s a waste of time. Ha!

You’re here because I trust you. And now I want your input on something.

Eastern Wu and Western Shu are about to go to war. How do we deal with the situation?

Then we’ll let him, My Lord. Let them kill each other.

078

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Bei Liu is totally obsessed with avenging Yu Guan’s death. He’s marching into battle now.

In fact, we can help them along. Let’s make a show of support toward Quan Sun.

That will drive Bei Liu even more insane. The wild beasts will kill each other, and we’ll collect the meat and fur.

Very well.

Send out word that I’m crowning Quan Sun king of Eastern Wu. Let’s see how Bei Liu handles another person being called royalty.

We’re of the same mind, then.

You have my confidence, not them. nothing will change that.

And have Zhen Cao tell the counselors to shut their mouths from now on.

Together, we’ll leave our mark on history.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

079

In 222 AD, Bei Liu led 700,000 soldiers into battle against Quan Sun and Eastern Wu. At either side of Bei Liu were the sons of his fallen brothers, Ping Guan and Bao Zhang.

no, you didn’t. But when your negotiations were refused by Bei Liu, His Majesty mobilized the army.

Wait, what?

Troops have been sent to face Bei Liu’s army? I gave no such order.

He appointed Commander Huan Sun general and dispatched them yesterday.

Yes, My Lord. I’ll tell the others--

But we’re nowhere near ready!

All right. Get out. now.

You will tell the others nothing! They don’t respect me, anyway. I don’t trust them.

Like it or not, we’re going to war. And we had better not lose.

I have no choice but to sit back and see how this turns out.

Yes, sir.

What about us? What do we do?

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Focus your energy on training our forces quickly.

!

!! H H A YA

SHOOM

K C A H W FOOP

NYEH

083

! F O O GRAH!

All right, I’ll make this quick and easy for you.

WHOOSH

Form a line, and I’ll cut your heads off with one fell swoop!

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COM

E ON

!!!

SPLOK Gah!

Die!!!

Yi li

085

huh?

Oh no you don’t.

IK L P S K O L SP

GHK!

Bao Zhang! You can’t just run headlong into the fray!

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Ha! As you wish.

You have to use your head. This is our first military operation. Let’s make sure it’s not our last, as well.

Ping Guan

I owe you a drink for that. The first of many, I’m sure.

Come on! Follow me!

!!

E! G R A

CH

CLOP CLOP CLO P 087

Your Majesty? Our forces have the enemy on the run. The battle is ours. Why do you cry?

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Quan Huang Liang Ma

Yu Guan. Fei Zhang. I miss them. sob

sob I can’t help it. They are so much like their fathers. See how they help each other in battle?

Your Majesty, you should get some rest. The day is won. There’s nothing left to see here.

Like hell there isn’t! I will watch every moment of our victory against Eastern Wu! I will bear witness to every enemy commander whose head is lopped off and flung in the mud!

I will not close my eyes until Yu Guan and Fei Zhang have been avenged!

089

YU GUAN! FEI ZHANG! FEAST YOUR EYES ON VENGEANCE! WATCH AS YOUR SONS HELP ME DESTROY THE ENEMY!

Bei Liu had rushed his army into battle, charging into Eastern Wu and claiming one victory after another while driving the enemy forces all the way back to YiLing. However, Bei Liu’s victories were not without cost. After a lifetime spent on the battlefield, the legendary General Zhong Huang was killed in action. But the forces of Western Shu killed numerous enemy commanders, among them Ning Gan, and momentum was on their side.

091

Chapter 3

Bei Liu’s Dream Unravels 222 AD

Summary Bei Liu has won a string of victories over



Quan Sun’s forces. But success in battle

appoints Xun Lu supreme commander of

When the truce fails, Quan Sun

hasn’t tempered his need for vengeance,

his military. Xun Lu is young and does not

and he continues to press ahead with little

have the full confidence of his generals,

regard for the risks. In desperation, Quan

who question his unwillingness to launch

Sun sends ShangXiang Sun, his sister and

an attack at the first sign of Bei Liu’s forces.

Bei Liu’s wife, to speak with Bei Liu as an

But the young commander’s patience is

emissary in the hopes that they might

deliberate, and soon his generals will see

agree to a truce. But despite his deep

that, besides being patient, he can strike

longing and love for his wife, Bei Liu rejects

quickly and with lethal results, when the

her without so much as looking at her.

moment is right.

XuChang

ChangAn

HanZhong XiangYang

A

BaiDi

A

YiLing

B

ChengDu

JingZhou XiaoTing JiangLing

JiangXia

Red Cliffs

ChaiSang

YuZhang ChangSha

A Bei Liu orders his troops to set up camp on the banks of the Yangtze River.

B Xun Lu waits for Bei Liu’s forces to reach the river before launching an attack.

Good news on all fronts. We have the enemy on the run. Those who fell behind have been captured, including Fang Mi and ShiRen Fu. Zhong Ma tried to surrender to us, but his men killed him before he got the chance. Your Majesty!

And we just got word that Quan Sun is turning over Jiang Fan and Da Zhang. He’s also returning Commander Fei Zhang’s head.

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Have the remains sent back to Shu for proper burial.

Have Fang Mi, ShiRen Fu, Jiang Fan, and Da Zhang sent back too. They are to be publicly executed immediately.

My Lord, I believe Quan Sun turned over those men because--

I will not acknowledge any kind of peace offering. I will kill Quan Sun with my own two hands. Then we can talk about peace.

I don’t give a damn why he did it!

But Your Majesty, Eastern Wu raised the flag of truce.

And we’ve already recaptured JingZhou. There’s nothing for us--

Enough! We return to camp for the night.

095

Your Majesty!

Wu has sent a secret envoy to ask for a truce.

And I think you’ll want to meet with her.

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Her?

Your Majesty, as designated envoy from Eastern Wu, I humbly ask for an audience.

Hm.

Why now?

Why have you chosen this moment to return to me?

097

How can you... Don’t you miss me?

no.

Of course I miss you. But you’re not here to talk about that, are you?

You know why I’m here. I do. And you already know what my answer is.

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sob

DRIP

Save your tears. And go.

Let me be.

I will not! I’ve lost almost every­ thing during this war.

Then go home and wait for me.

We will be reunited once I’ve defeated Eastern Wu.

Once that’s done, I will compensate you for the pain you’ve suffered.

I refuse to lose the person I love as well!

099

How dare you... You do not get to talk to me like that.

You can’t know my pain. The love of my life wants to kill my own flesh and blood.

Whoever wins in the end, I lose.

I will not change my mind.

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It’s too late for that now.

I always knew this is how a hero loves. By putting his men, his nation, and his people first. But I chose to love you anyway.

I will suffer tragedy, and it’s my own fault.

I’m sorry.

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I wish that were true. Goodbye, Bei Liu! sob

WHAM

I AM SORRY, MY DARLING. I LOVE YOU.

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Fei Zhang

Surrender some of our lands?! Forget it! That’s out of the question!

Ze Kan

It wouldn’t be a real surrender, you fool! It would just be a way of waiting out the storm.

We need to buy ourselves some time.

Zhi Bu

Time for what? We can beat Bei Liu!

Yong Gu

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Better to lose some lands to Bei Liu than handing them over to Pi Cao.

Would you calm down. We can beat him, sure, but not without reinforcements. So we have to make choices.

Three Kingdoms Volume 18

Are you actually siding with Bei Liu? And in public?

What are you, a spy for Shu?

Call me a spy again, and I’ll kill you.

Hm…

RY!

ND T

DA HEA

GO A

STEP OVER

Shut up. All of you.

Sh! Sh!!!

I’ve heard enough. I have led our forces to victory against Cao Cao’s army of 1 million men. So what makes any of you think I would willfully surrender even an inch of land to Bei Liu?

HERE!

Quiet down!

Besides, we put Yu Guan to death, so the die is cast. This is a fight for everything, to the death.

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What I need right now is leadership, not endless bickering. I need someone who can lead the army.

So I need you to recommend a general who can lead our forces with courage and wisdom.

Well, we were only able to capture JingZhou thanks to the clever thinking of Meng Lu. He appears to be ready to follow in Su Lu’s footsteps.

But it was Xun Lu who was perceptive enough to put Meng Lu in charge of that mission. He should lead the army!

Your Majesty, this is nonsense!

Xun Lu is still a boy.

Xun Lu?

What difference does that make? If it wasn’t for him, we would still have gained nothing since Red Cliffs!

That is totally untrue!

Oh? Then tell me what gains we’ve made!

Leading the army is not a job for a child! I second Xun Lu for general! Let’s vote on it!

no! Bei Liu will plow right over him!

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Sigh Sometimes I wonder why I haven’t gone deaf by now.

Silence! Enough debating. I want to appoint Xun Lu.

For all the discussion of his age, no one has put forward the name of someone better suited to the job. Well? Any names?

Very well, then. I hereby appoint Xun Lu Supreme Commander of the army of Eastern Wu.

A command from him is a command from me. To defy him is to defy me. In other words, an act of treason.

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Xun Lu. As King of Wu…

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It is my absolute duty to protect the kingdom of Eastern Wu from all threats. Therefore, I am appoint­ ing you Supreme Commander of the Army and tasking you with defeating our enemies.

Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do everything I can to achieve your wishes.

Mere minutes after Xun Lu accepted his title from Quan Sun, he began making preparations for a military campaign. He appointed Sheng Xu and Feng Ding as his chief lieutenants, and immediately began drawing up plans for battle against Bei Liu.

And I will lay down my life to repay your faith in me.

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Commander Xun Lu! Shu’s army is within earshot, and they will not stop trying to provoke a fight with us.

Remember, an arrogant army is the easiest kind to defeat. You read The Art of War, yes?

This is our time! We must go into battle.

I’m sorry, have you already forgotten the order I gave?

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We are to close ranks and focus our energies on holding the fort. This was my order. You were there when I gave it.

Dang Han

But… but…

I know, you think this is our best shot.

It’s not just that…

He has a point, My Lord. As soldiers, it is our duty to die on the battle­ field, not huddled in a camp.

The Shu’s army is not even a mile from our camp. They could wipe us out in no time flat! .

Why have you chosen now to order us to stand down and wait it out? What good does it do us to just sit here and wait for them to destroy us where we stand?

He’s right!

Please, give the order to attack!

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SHING

Listen to me very carefully. I was not appointed supreme commander so I could give you the chance to die on a battlefield.

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I was appointed to give you the chance to defeat Bei Liu and then sound the drums of victory over Western Shu.

Our final victory is all that matters. And I promise, you’ll get your fill of battle before we’re done.

In the mean­ time, my order is His Majesty’s command. Disobey me, and you will die not as a soldier, but as a traitor.

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Xun Lu is in charge?

You must be joking.

Quan Sun is taunting me by forcing me to cross swords with a child.

But it doesn’t matter. This child is responsible for Yu Guan’s death. So I will honor his memory by gutting that little brat.

Your Majesty, Xun Lu is young, but don’t underestimate him. He’s already as talented as Yu Zhou was. He’s a bigger problem than you think.

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He’s barely able to grow a beard!

For the past several decades, I’ve slept on battlefields more often than I’ve slept on beds. Don’t tell me I can’t handle a boy.

But Your Majesty-Save it, you braying ass!

Let’s send the message that death is the only result for Eastern Wu.

Very well.

Have every dead enemy commander’s head put on a spike and mounted at the front of the camp.

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Later…

It looks like they are digging in for a while.

Ha! The message appears to have been received. Xun Lu ordered his forces to hunker down and wait.

And we will let them. Word has it that there are several traitors among Xun Lu’s ranks.

Soon they will realize they are digging nothing more than their own graves! Ha ha ha!

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He must be waiting for the moment when our guard is lowered. Then he will launch an attack.

Your Majesty, don’t be too eager to celebrate. Xun Lu is clever. This must be a ploy.

Maybe he thinks we’ll line up single file. Like in school!

And why should we care about that? We’ve set up more than 40 camps in the area, and have surrounded their forces. no matter how clever Xun Lu is, there’s no way he could attack them all at once.

Don’t laugh!

Xi Feng

HA HA HA! Your Majesty, our camps are not invincible. They have been sweltering under the hot summer sun for months now. The soldiers can’t take much more heat. He’s right.

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Very well. Move the camps to the river.

If we want our camps to remain strong, we should move them to the riverside.

The shade and water will cool them, and we can attack in the fall.

Your Majesty… Don’t worry about that.

We could be vulnerable to surprise attack while moving the camps.

I have ambush parties scattered all across the region. They will attack the moment the enemy shows his face.

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We will all set out for the camps, as well, to plan for the fall attack.

Farewell, ChengDu.

119

This is nuts!

Commander, I must insist that you give the order to attack while the enemy is on the move!

They are completely vulnerable to an attack! We won’t get a better chance than this!

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Commander Tai Zhou, shut up long enough to look over there.

op l c p Clo

Those are ambush parties coming They are ambush out of the armies with Shu woods. returning after laboring in vain.

They were waiting for By now, us tomust show you ourselves. understand why now do you I stopped you seegoing why from I didn’t give into battle. the order?

121

HUH?

I…

I know you are burning with the desire for revenge. I know your land was devastated by the enemy.

But the enemy is angry too.

Bei Liu is obsessed with avenging Yu Guan’s death. It’s all he cares about.

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And that moment is coming. I was waiting for Bei Liu’s anger to wear him down.

If tempers run hot on both sides, the only guarantee is that both sides will get burned.

We can not afford to make decisions based on rage or the need for revenge. We must control the impulse to attack and wait for when the moment is right.

It will be just a few more days. I promise our patience will be rewarded.

123

Listen up, my fellow commanders.

Bei Liu has grown tired of waiting for us to attack. They are taking shelter from the summer heat by moving their camps to the river valley.

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now let us turn the riverbed into their funeral beds!

However, we want Bei Liu alive! no excuses!

, YES D! R O L MY

While back in Shu… My Lord?

Prime minister, what is it? Is something wrong with His Majesty’s plan?

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NO...

What’s the matter with His Majesty’s strategy? Talk to us! What’s wrong?

The army’s in danger. Grave dan­ ger.

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He has ordered all military camps to be moved to the forests alongside the river. They might as well set up camp on a mountain of dead leaves!

This summer has been deathly hot and dry. One spark, and the forest will catch fire. Plus, the southeast wind is blowing, so any fire will spread faster than we can outrun it.

127

So all the enemy has to do is commit the army to carrying out a minor fire attack. nature will take care of the rest.

Here’s the plan. Our first priority is chopping the enemy down to size.

The order is hereby given to attack Shu’s army.

But there are forty camps! They can’t attack them all at once.

We will set fire to the forest around every other one of those camps. This will destroy half of the enemy’s rank.

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They don’t have to! All they have to do is cut the camps off from one another. That will make it impossible for the army to fight as one.

But it will also make it impossible for the other half to assist anyone else. So we’ll be fighting a mere fraction of the army at any given time.

But… What do we do?

My Lord, we have to warn them!

We can’t. Our message won’t get there in time. It’s already too late.

The king will not come to harm, I promise.

Oh, no.

I will personally lead a regiment to assist whatever’s left of our forces when we get there.

My Lord, if His Majesty should be killed--

He’s too valuable to just kill. But if the entire army were to be wiped out in a matter of hours, or days…

I need you all to manage the affairs of Western Shu until I return.

This is a fiasco!

I don’t believe this.

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Bei Liu’s outfit for battle

Chapter 4

The Death of Bei Liu 223 AD

Summary In a dream, Bei Liu revisits moments from

heir apparent Shan Liu, but he is worried

his life, from his early days as a shoemaker

that the boy won’t live up to his role. So he

to his days as a soldier fighting alongside

tells Liang Zhuge to overthrow his own son

his sworn brothers, Yu Guan and Fei Zhang.

if he fears their kingdom is in peril. Liang

When he wakes, Bei Liu remembers that

Zhuge says he cannot follow that order,

he is not in their company, but that he is

and Bei Liu dies.

grievously ill following a disastrous fire



attack on his forces by Xun Lu’s army. With

to attack Western Shu right away. He asks

his military decimated, Bei Liu resigns

Yi Sima for a battle plan, and the old man

himself to death, despite Liang Zhuge

devises an ambitious campaign that only a

and Yun Zhao’s pleas for him to save his

few people know is doomed to fail. Mean­

strength and recover. Bei Liu seeks to join

while, Shan Liu responds to news of the

those who have died before him, but

impending attack by asking Liang Zhuge’s

before he departs he apologizes to Liang

counsel. Liang Zhuge makes the unpopular

Zhuge for not more closely adhering to

suggestion that they ally with Eastern

his counsel. Bei Liu tells him that there are

Wu one more time, despite Wu’s role in

few men who deserve their glory, and that

the deaths of Bei Liu and his two sworn

Liang Zhuge is one of them. Bei Liu then

brothers.

asks Liang Zhuge to watch over his son, the

With Bei Liu gone, Pi Cao decides

XuChang

ChangAn

B

B

HanZhong

A BaiDi

ChengDu

XiangYang YiLing

ChangBan

B

JingZhou

JiangXia

JiangLing Red Cliffs

ChaiSang

YuZhang ChangSha

A In 223 AD, Bei Liu dies in BaiDi. B After Bei Liu’s death, Pi Cao mobilizes his forces and orders an attack on Western Shu.

Hello? Hey! Snap out of it!

Quit daydream­i ng and start focusing on your job! I asked how much longer my shoes will take.

Hi.

I’m almost done.

I don’t have all day, you know.

Huh? Oh…

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Snap out of it, big brother!

Keep your eyes open!

This is no time to daydream!

135

Hyah!

WHOOSH 136

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K O L SP

G N O SHO 137

BAH

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M U D H A B M DU

Yu Guan?

Fei Zhang?

Ah, yes. This is how it should be!

139

I, Bei Liu, hereby assume the imperial throne! Long live the Han Dynasty!

Hurrah! Hurrah!

Long live the emperor!

Finally, the work is done! We have brought unity and peace to our beloved nation!

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From now on, laughter will replace tears! Let the people rejoice!

KRACK

What the…?

BOOM no, no…

SIZZZ

nO!

FWO OM

You…?

141

Brothers, you are here? All is not lost?

Yu Guan! Fei Zhang! I’ve missed you so much.

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Your Majesty, it’s us.

? Oh, no.

UHH... Your Majesty!

143

It was all just a dream.

But now that I am awake, I remember. I watched our army go up in flames. The screams… the agony…

Rest, Your Majesty.

Don’t dwell on what was lost, Your Majesty. With you still alive, we can raise another army, a bigger army. And we can reclaim what’s ours.

no, my friends. It’s too late for that. Soon I will join my brothers. It is time…

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Yun Zhao

But you must rest, Your Majesty.

You must regain your strength to lead your men once more.

Look what I’ve done to our forces. I deserve nothing less.

Liang Zhuge, listen to me.

Don’t talk like that.

hr Guh.

I should have listened to you without fail. But I let my pride consume me. It’s what you always warned me against.

Commander Liang Zhuge. Commander Yun Zhao.

What has happened to our army, happened to us…It’s all my fault. I should have listened.

I’m just glad you are the one who must now realize my dream.

I ask you two to carry on when I’m gone and finish what we started.

145

We have dedicated our lives to your cause. That pledge will not end with your death, only with our own.

Thank you. now, Yun Zhao, call a meeting of the council.

Make them aware of the orders I have just given you.

Yes, Your Majesty.

now then… hrr There are things to discuss.

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We’re beyond doctors and rest.

Your Majesty, please. The doctors want you to save your strength.

Very well, Your Majesty. What are your wishes?

There are urgent matters to settle.

First…that you stop standing on formality. There’s no need.

Whatever nature or fate threw in front of us, you had a plan. What we have is because of you.

huff

You are nothing short of my equal, Liang Zhuge. If I hadn’t met you, I wouldn’t have come so close to achieving my dream.

That’s not true. I will never be able to repay your total faith in me.

And whenever we fell on hard times, it was because I was too stupid to heed your advice.

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Faith? One doesn’t need faith when he has proof.

Don’t I’ve met all you kinds of men, great see? and small, in my life; men who were legends in their own lifetimes.

Some of these men lived up to their legends. Some were barely worthy of a cruel rumor. Many were ambitious, but then that ambition turned to greed. And the lust for power blinded them.

These men considered themselves great, but when called upon to show true greatness, they failed. Just like I did. I was born with royal blood. I did not earn it.

neither did Pi Cao or Quan Sun. They were born into power.

no, it isn’t. But one third of all the people in this land follow you. That is as it should be.

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And that is the way of history. It’s not fair, is it?

That’s why you must recover. We still need you to lead us.

That’s just it. I’m not the leader you need anymore.

Perhaps in another life. This life has run its course. I’m out of time.

Restoring the Han Dynasty may have been my dream, but it was your life’s work. And I laid waste to it in the blink of an eye.

Don’t say that. We have time to fix things. You must focus your energy on staying strong.

I have no desire to continue living. I have no fear of death.

I long to be reunited with my sworn brothers, whose courage and loyalty were more than I ever deserved. The time has come for us to share the same fate.

now lis-koff

koff

Hrr…

149

Listen to me. This is my last request.

My pride ruined your life’s work.

But the dream of restoring the Han Dynasty must not die with me.

Liang Zhuge… You’re by far one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. You’ve earned greatness where others have merely inherited it. A man like you deserves to see his work fulfilled.

It won’t, Your Majesty.

A man like you deserves to lead the people into an age of peace. I know. That’s why-koff

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You have pledged to serve my son once I’m gone. But should he prove inferior…

If he-koff koff

hruk

Guh…!

If you think he’ll fail you… Then…

koff Then you must claim the throne from him.

! 151

Your Majesty, that’s--

huff When a bird dies, it cries with grief… Don’t argue! koff

When a man dies, he speaks the truth. If my son is unworthy, you must remove him from power. hrr

Your Majesty? Your Majesty!

Please. Don’t instruct me to do such a thing. I can’t act against your bloodline.

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I will realize your dream if it means I never sleep again and I wear my fingers to the bone, but I can’t take your place after you’re gone.

huff Heh…

It’s fun ny. You’re just as stubborn as I am.

Believe me, once in a while it’s worth doing what you don’t want to do.

Even though I find it comforting to have such similar company at the end.

I suppose when all is said and done we are just two men who can’t help but be true to themselves.

153

That being said… I’m ready.

no more tears.

no more regrets.

Time to put down…my sword…and rest…in…

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…peace.

Farewell, Your Majesty. Spread your wings now, and may your last breath bear you to heaven.

155

Thus ended the life of Bei Liu, King of Shu and sworn defender of the Han Dynasty.

The people of Shu Kingdom came out in an unprecedented display of mourning as they commended their leader’s spirit to history.

157

The King of Shu descended the three gorges to do battle with Eastern Wu Now, upon his death, he rests in the Hall of Peace Eternal The colors have fled his banners, which wave over vacant lands And a palace of jade now resembles a rustic temple While cranes nest in evergreens near an ancient shrine The old men offer their seasonal rites and sacrifices To an altar ever ready to receive their laments While the lords and ministers make offerings at the ceremonial table – Du Fu (712–770)

Shangxiang Sun

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SPLASH 161

BAM Ha! I don’t believe it!

It’s Bei Liu! That old bastard has finally died!

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This is the moment we’ve been waiting for!

now, then… Our first task is to conquer ChengDu. Who among you has the courage to lead such an attack?

Your Majesty! We will volunteer to lead our troops and crush the enemy.

Good!

I think we should deploy immediately. Yi Sima, do you agree?

Well…

Western Shu is a difficult place to reach, Your Majesty. The terrain is rough to the point of being impassible.

If we’re going to attack, we’ll need a large army. It will take an attack on at least five different fronts to work.

163

Well, it is clear we do not have an army large enough to attempt such a thing. So we recruit Kebi neng in XianBei to attack XiPing Gate with 100,000 men.

Five different fronts?!

How do you propose we do that?

next, we need to speak to the leader of nanMan, Huo Meng. We must ask him to commit 100,000 men to attacking YiZhou.

Then we need to hold talks with Eastern Wu. We’ll need 100,000 of Quan Sun’s men to attack Tong Chuan.

After that, we give 100,000 soldiers to Da Meng. I know he’s a defector and many don’t trust him, but he will know how to attack HanZhong.

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Finally, we send Supreme Commander Zhen Cao, with another 100,000 men, to attack ChengDu. To do this, the army must travel through YangPing Pass.

Of course…

The first four armies will look out for themselves before they lay their lives down for our cause.

If he should fail… We will have wasted this chance to end this war. So it is imperative that Zhen Cao does not fail to make it through YangPing Pass and conquer ChengDu.

Commander Sima…

You worry too much.

Ha ha ha!

Well said, well said. nothing lifts my spirits like the pride of a soldier.

Your Majesty, I swear to you I will succeed. I will wipe out YangPing and ChengDu faster than you can draw your sword.

Go, then. Take care of this as quickly as you can. It will leave more time for celebrating.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Hmph.

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On Yi Sima’s recommendation, Pi Cao ordered 500,000 troops into Western Shu from five different directions.

Tell me this, father…

You know better than anyone that it’s impossible to take YangPing Pass. So why did you--

Oh. I see. You’re up to something…

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Shan Liu

Ahem …

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So Pi Cao is plan ning to attack us from all directions…

Then what we should do is…

Yes. Well… Does any­ one have a good idea?

I do.

Ah, yes! Prime Minister! I’d love to hear your advice on the matter.

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Well.

This won’t be easy for many to hear. But we face an enemy force of 500,000 troops. A large army, but not all are strictly loyal to Pi Cao. none save for Zhen Cao’s army, in fact.

If Yun Zhao, Ping Guan, and Bao Zhang successfully defend YangPing Pass, and if Chao Ma and Yan Wei protect the north and the south accordingly, then we have little to fear from the armies they will face.

But… Quan Sun’s motivation is still tied to his hatred of Bei Liu. I fear that he might have ulterior motives.

So we have no choice. We must come up with a plan to deal with him.

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Very well. What do you suggest we do?

Well… In my opinion, Your Majesty…

We need to ally with Eastern Wu once again.

! Ally with them?

Are you insane? They killed Yu Guan and Fei Zhang, and they sent Bei Liu to an early grave. How on earth can we make peace with them, you fool?

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now wait just a minute! Can’t you see that the prime minister is trying to find a way to save our lands?

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It’s not hard to see where he’s coming from. We can no longer resist Wei on our own. We need help!

So what? We’ll find help from somewhere. But not from them!

To make peace with them at a time like this would be like endorsing what they did to us. Besides, it puts us at risk of falling into a trap!

Silence!

Hm. Yes.

Sigh Your Majesty, I know this plan has risks.

You are right.

But the nation is still split in three for now. And if we don’t join forces with Wu, they’ll side with Pi Cao and Wei.

Before he died, my father urged me to heed your counsel on such matters. So I approve your plan.

Yes! Well… Okay.

That is all, gentlemen, thank you. Um, yes… You may go.

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THREE KINGDOMS: THEMES

THE FALL OF THE THREE BROTHERS

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is, at its most fundamental level, a story of virtue giving way to vanity, of heroism being consumed by hubris. This reality has claimed the lives of dozens of would-be rulers (and hundreds of thousands of their soldiers and citizens) by the time the three kingdoms are fully formed. By the time the story concludes, it will have also claimed the three men whose sacred oath marked the beginning of the struggle to restore the Han Dynasty. Of the three rulers who remain, each has come to power in a unique way: Cao Cao through ruthlessness, Quan Sun by virtue of inheritance, and Bei Liu because of his reliance upon and fidelity to those around him. In fact, the defining heroic act of Three Kingdoms is Bei Liu, Yu Guan, and Fei Zhang’s blood oath, a selfless act that commits their individual lives to one another as well as to the cause of restoring China to its former glory. It is therefore ironic, but fitting, that the defining tragedy of Three Kingdoms stems from the same blood oath. The struggle for the throne during the post-Han era has, by

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this point in the story, gone on for so long that it isn’t hard to imagine everyone losing sight of what motivated them to fight in the first place. Strategies change at a moment’s notice, ulterior motives abound, and adversaries and alliances switch sides so often that it can be hard for even the main characters to know if the person standing next to them on the battlefield is a friend or a foe. For Bei Liu and his brothers, the one constant through these long decades of upheaval has been their sworn fidelity to one another – an unbreakable bond that has kept them honest and humble long after their adversaries have succumbed to vanity. However, it is precisely the strength of this bond that costs them their lives. Eventually, each of the three brothers will place a higher value on the oath rather than their initial reason for swearing it. This shift is perhaps understandable, considering that it would be difficult to know what restoring the Han Dynasty would even be, much less whether it would actually be better for the nation as a whole. When Yu Guan is brought before Quan Sun, the king of Wu searches for a reason not to kill the legendary warrior. It is difficult to say whether Quan Sun’s stated desires are trustworthy or intended

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for the betterment of the nation, but ultimately it doesn’t matter: Yu Guan vehemently refuses the entreaties, because he considers any kind of compromise or surrender a betrayal of Bei Liu – notice how he has placed his blood brother above his nation. Following Yu Guan’s death, Bei Liu’s rage at not having honored the oath to die the same day as Yu Guan festers, and eventually it devours his discipline, his wisdom, and in the end his life. Fei Zhang’s fate is sealed for similar reasons: heartbroken over the loss of Yu Guan, Fei Zhang lashes out at allies in his violent, petulant manner, only to suffer their wrath when they tire of death threats. One of Three Kingdoms’ enduring themes is that no one is above vanity or beyond the ability to lose sight of their original, heroic intentions. The deaths of Bei Liu, Yu Guan, and Fei Zhang are the ultimate example of this: they pledge their lives to one another, but they also pledge their lives to a cause. When they lose sight of the latter and rely only on the former, their greatest virtue (fidelity) becomes a fatal liability. In the end, the three brothers perish not because they forgot WHO they are fighting for, but because they forgot WHAT they are fighting for.

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Yu Guan is dead. Cao Cao is gravely ill. And Bei Liu is consumed by vengeful rage. And suddenly the things they’ve spent their lives fighting for are in dangerous peril. Can anyone overcome fate to witness a final victory? Or will everyone go to his grave with unfinished business?

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