Chapter 50: Zhuge Liang’s Stratagem at Huarong, Guan Yu’s Righteous Release of Cao Cao
At Huarong Pass, Guan Yu faces the defeated Cao Cao but, honoring past favors and righteousness, he spares him and allows his escape, fulfilling his bond.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Explore the epic saga “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” (三国演义) through serialized chapters, immersing you in legendary heroes, cunning strategies, and the dramatic power struggles of China’s Three Kingdoms era.
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Chapter 49: Zhuge Prays for Wind at the Seven-Star Altar; Zhou Yu’s Fire Attack at the Three Rivers Estuary
Kongming inscribes, “Fire breaks Cao; only the east wind is missing.” He raises the Seven-Star Altar and summons the southeast wind for Zhou Yu’s fire attack.
Chapter 48: A Banquet on the Long River—Cao Cao Composes Poems; The Northern Army Employs Chained Warships
Pang Tong confesses Xu Shu’s betrayal, and Xu Shu departs to spread rumors that Han Sui and Ma Teng are revolting. Alarmed, Cao Cao sends Xu Shu to guard San Pass. Riding the flagship on a calm Yangtze, Cao Cao banquets his generals beneath a full moon, boasts of conquering the south, and composes “To Drink a Song.” As night falls, he praises his chained warships, convinced of victory. Two former Yuan Shao officers, Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan, volunteer to raid the southern camps in twenty small boats but are slain by Han Dang and Zhou Tai. Observing the north’s fleet return, Zhou Yu rejoices until a banner is ripped by wind, brushing his face—he cries out and collapses, blood flowing, stricken by a dire omen.
Chapter 47: Kan Ze Secretly Brings a Feigned Surrender Letter; Pang Tong Cleverly Teaches the Linked-Chain Strategy
Kan Ze carries Huang Gai’s forged surrender letter to Cao Cao, only for Cao Cao to unmask the ruse and nearly execute him. Pang Tong, dwelling in disguise by the riverside, emerges to present his “linked-chain” plan: binding warships with iron hooks to prevent scattering in fire attacks. Impressed, Cao Cao orders his blacksmiths to forge the great hooks overnight. Meanwhile, Jiang Gan professes loyalty to Zhou Yu but secretly conveys Pang Tong’s strategy and Wu’s internal dissent back to Cao Cao, who agrees to press the assault. As Wu prepares to defend, Cao Cao readies his fleet for the decisive battle on the river.
Chapter 46: Borrowing Arrows with Strange Tactics; Huang Gai Endures Punishment to Present a Secret Plan
Lu Su brings Zhou Yu’s directive to Zhuge Liang, who predicts Cao Cao’s scrutiny and knows that Cai Mao and Zhang Yun’s deaths leave Wu secure. Zhou Yu then tasks Zhuge Liang with producing 100,000 arrows in three days. Secretly, Zhuge Liang borrows 20 boats, links them amid thick river fog, and beats drums to draw Cao’s archers to shoot. When the fog clears, each boat is bristling with five to six thousand arrows, totaling over 100,000. Backbone shaken, Cao Cao regrets his waste. Returning, Zhuge Liang admits that true generals study heaven and earth, foreseeing even the fog. Zhou Yu, witnessing the feat, praises his rival’s divine insight and pledges loyalty.
Chapter 45: At the Mouth of the Three Rivers, Cao Cao’s Forces Falter; Heroes Gather as Jiang Gan Is Outwitted
Zhou Yu lures Zhuge Liang into Wu’s camp under the pretense of seizing Cao Cao’s supplies at Jutie Mountain, secretly intending to have Cao’s forces eliminate him. Zhuge Liang, aware of Zhou Yu’s plot, feigns compliance while planning to strike by water instead. Meanwhile, Liu Bei sails to meet Zhou Yu, but Guan Yu’s presence thwarts the assassination. Back at camp, Zhou Yu executes Cao Cao’s envoy, provoking Cao’s fury. Naval battles ensue at the Three Rivers’ mouth: Gan Ning’s archery routs Cai Yan, and Wu’s fleet overwhelms Cao’s poorly trained soldiers. Cao rebuilds his river defenses under Mao Jie and Yu Jin. Zhou Yu, cautious of Zhuge Liang’s insight, prepares further stratagems, while Lu Su and Zhuge Liang conspire to secure victory.
Chapter 44: Zhuge Liang Outsmarts Zhou Yu; Sun Quan Resolves to Crush Cao Cao
Lady Wu urges Sun Quan to consult Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu returns, initially inclined to surrender to Cao Cao, but Lu Su angrily opposes. When Zhuge Liang arrives, he coolly rebukes both sides: surrender secures nothing, and he proposes a stratagem—send Cao Cao the Qiao sisters. By offering Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, whom Cao Cao covets, Wu could force his retreat without fighting. Upon hearing Zhuge Liang recite the “Ode to the Bronze Sparrow Terrace,” Zhou Yu realizes the ruse and vows never to submit. Encouraged, Sun Quan boldly resolves to raise arms against Cao Cao. Thus, Eastern Wu commits to war, forging a crucial alliance and setting the stage for the conflict to come.
Chapter 43: Zhuge Liang’s Verbal Duel with the Scholars, Lu Zijing Defies the Majority
Upon entering Sun Quan’s hall, Zhuge Liang faces a barrage of challenges from Eastern Wu’s ministers, each questioning Liu Bei’s worth and Cao Cao’s might. With calm authority, he rebukes their sophistry: Cao Cao’s million troops are strong, but his forces are overextended, weary, and untested on water, whereas Liu Bei still commands capable generals and loyal soldiers. He urges Sun Quan to weigh the moment—either cut ties with Cao Cao now or risk being crushed alone. Provoked by Zhuge Liang’s reasoning, Sun Quan retreats and broods, only to return in resolve: he will join Liu Bei to resist Cao Cao, forging the Sun–Liu alliance that reshapes the balance of power.
Chapter 42: Zhang Yide’s Rampage at Changban Bridge; Liu Yuzhou’s Flight from the Han Ford
At Changban Bridge, Zhang Fei’s thunderous roar halts Cao Cao’s advance, as he levels his spear alone, terrifying a million-strong army into retreat.
Chapter 41: Liu Xuande Ferries the People Across the River; Zhao Zilong Rides Alone to Rescue His Lord
At Changban Bridge, Zhao Yun charges through enemy ranks alone, saving Liu Shan and Lady Gan from chaos, slaying foes to secure his lord’s heir.
Chapter 40: Lady Cai Proposes Surrendering Jingzhou, and Zhuge Liang Burns Xinye
Lady Cai installs Liu Cong and surrenders Jingzhou to Cao Cao, prompting Zhuge Liang to burn Xinye and marshal the retreat to Fan.
Chapter 39: The Young Lord of Jing Province Seeks Counsel Three Times, and the Strategist First Deploys at Boyang Slope
At Boyang Slope, Zhuge Liang lures Xiahou Dun’s army into a fiery ambush among burning reeds, routing the Wei forces and securing Liu Bei’s first major victory.
Chapter 38: Formulating the Three-Pronged Plan at Longzhong and Avenge the Sun Family on the Yangtze
After three humble visits, Zhuge Liang unveils the Three-Pronged Plan: Liu Bei will secure Jing and Yi provinces, then ally with Sun Quan to restore the Han.
Chapter 37: Sima Hui Again Recommends a Worthy Scholar; Liu Xuande’s Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage
Sima Hui warns that Xu Shu’s summons was forged. After two failed visits to Zhuge Liang’s hut, Xuande meets Zhuge’s brother and pledges a third earnest call.
Chapter 36: Xuande’s Stratagem at Fan City; Yuan Zhi Recommends Zhuge
Using Shan Fu’s Eight Gates formation, Liu Xuande ambushed Cao Ren at Fan City, routing him. Later, Xu Shu galloped through the night to recommend Zhuge Liang.
Chapter 35: Xuande Encounters Master Sima Hui at Nanzhang; Shan Fu Meets His Lord at Xinye
Fleeing Cai Mao’s trap, Liu Xuande miraculously leapt his horse across a wide stream to escape, then met the young shepherd and the wise Sima Hui in the forest.
Chapter 34: Lady Cai Overhears a Conspiracy; Liu Bei Leaps His Steed Across Tan Creek
At the site of a mystical bronze sparrow, Cao Cao commissions a grand three-towered platform designed by his gifted son Cao Zhi. In Jingzhou, Lady Cai’s plot drives Liu Bei to flee by night. Warned by the scholar Yi Ji, he rides for the swollen Tan Creek, where his steed De’lu miraculously bounds thirty feet across the rushing water. As pursuers close in, Zhao Yun’s timely arrival ensures Liu Bei’s daring escape, cementing the legend of his leap across Tan Creek.
Chapter 33: Chaos Yields Cao Pi a Bride; Guo Jia’s Final Plan Secures Liaodong
Cao Pi pauses mid-sword to spare the dust-covered Lady Zhen—her beauty revealed as he vows to protect her. Meanwhile, Cao Cao secures Jizhou, mourns Yuan Shao with tearful sacrifice, and heeds Cui Suo’s counsel to aid the suffering people. When the insolent Xu You mocks him, Xu Chu’s blade speaks for justice. At Pingyuan, Xu Huang cuts down Pang An, routing Yuan Tan’s army and slaying Tan himself. Generals from Yuan Xi’s forces surrender; the Wuhuan pledge fealty. Cao’s column scatters Tadu Dun’s cavalry in the northern wastes, while Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, betrayed by Gongsun Kang, meet their end—Guo Jia’s final stratagem fulfilled.
Chapter 32: Seizing Jizhou, Yuan Shang Contends; At Zhang River, Xu You Proffers a Stratagem
Yuan Shao succumbs to illness; Lady Liu has his concubines slain. Yuan Shang claims Jizhou, igniting fierce conflict with his brother Yuan Tan.
Chapter 31: Cao Cao’s Defeat of Yuan Shao at Cangting; Liu Bei Seeks Refuge in Jingzhou under Liu Biao
After executing the loyal adviser Tian Feng, Yuan Shao’s forces collapse at Cangting under Cao Cao’s ambush. Liu Bei escapes north and takes refuge in Jingzhou with Liu Biao before Cao Cao returns to Xuchang.