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.
Cao Cao
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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 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 30: Yuan Shao’s Initial Defeat at Guandu; Cao Mengde’s Raid on Wuchao to Burn the Enemy’s Grain
At Guandu, Cao Cao’s veterans hold off Yuan Shao with trenches and trebuchets. Under cover of night, Xu Huang’s raid on Wuchao burns Shao’s grain supplies, shattering his army.
Chapter 27: The Beautiful-Bearded Lord’s Lone Ride a Thousand Li; the Marquis of Hanshou’s Six Slayers at Five Passes
Guan Yu declines pursuit, meets Cao Cao for a cordial sendoff, then charges through five passes—slaying six guarding generals—to reunite with Liu Bei.
Chapter 26: Yuan Benchu’s Routed Army, Guan Yunzhang Hangs Up His Seal
Yuan Shao’s forces rout Cao Cao’s vanguard at Guandu, but Guan Yu bursts through, slays General Wen Chou, recovers the supplies, then hangs up his seal and rides off to Liu Bei.
Chapter 25: Trapped on Tu Mountain—Guan Yu’s Three Conditions; Relief at White Horse
Guan Yu, besieged on Tu Mountain, surrenders to Cao Cao under three conditions, protects his family, then charges out to slay Yan Liang at White Horse.
Chapter 24: The Traitor’s Atrocity—Murder of the Noble Consort; the Imperial Prince Routed Flees to Yuan Shao
Cao Cao purges Dong Cheng’s faction, executing the pregnant Consort Dong, then marches east. Liu Bei is ambushed at Xiaopei and flees to Yuan Shao.
Chapter 23: Minister Mi Rages Naked at the Usurper; Dr. Ji’s Poison Plots Backfire
Mi Heng strips naked before the court, beats the drum, and denounces Cao Cao’s treachery, revealing the tyrant’s corruption.
Chapter 22: Yuan and Cao Each Muster Cavalry and Infantry; Guan Yu and Zhang Fei Capture Generals Wang and Liu
As Yuan Shao and Cao Cao muster vast armies, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei storm Xuzhou’s gates, seizing Generals Wang Zhong and Liu Dai to secure Liu Bei’s position.
Chapter 21: Cao Cao Brews Wine to Discuss Heroes; Guan Yu Captures the City and Slays Che Zhou
In a rain-soaked pavilion, Cao Cao and Liu Bei share wine beneath a dragon-shaped cloud, debating who truly is a hero—and only they fit the measure.
Chapter 19: Fierce Fighting at Xiapi, Lü Bu’s Fall at the White Gate Tower
As floodwaters engulf Xiaopei, Lü Bu’s fortunes collapse. Betrayed from within, the mighty warrior is at Cao Cao’s mercy atop White Gate Tower.
Chapter 16: Lü Bu’s Hurl at the Gate and Cao Mengde’s Defeat at the Yu River
At Xuzhou’s gate, Lü Bu’s lone arrow splits a halberd twig, forcing Liu Bei and Jì Líng to stand down—yet on the Yu River, Dian Wei falls defending Cao Cao’s desperate retreat.
Chapter 14: Cao Mengde Moves the Court to Xuchang; Lü Bu’s Nocturnal Raid on Xuzhou
Xu Huang’s axe fells Li Le at Jiyu Pass, saving Emperor Xian’s carriage—then Cao Cao’s loyal generals escort the court east and prepare to relocate the capital to Xuchang.
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