Synopsis
In the final years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, corruption overtook the imperial court and widespread famine sparked the Yellow Turban Rebellion. At Zhuojun, Liu Bei encountered Zhang Fei and Guan Yu; the three shared common aspirations and swore brotherhood in a peach garden. Liu Bei's military skill earned him the post of magistrate of Anxi County. When an inspector arrived seeking bribes, Zhang Fei beat him. Liangzhou Governor Dong Zhuo answered an imperial decree to enter the capital. Lü Bu killed Ding Yuan and defected to Dong Zhuo, bringing the latter's head. Dong Zhuo deposed the young emperor and installed the Prince of Chenliu as Emperor Xian. Cao Cao tried to assassinate Dong Zhuo but failed and fled in disguise. Returning to Chenliu, Cao Cao raised troops using his wealth and issued a forged imperial edict to gather warlords against Dong Zhuo. Eighteen warlords pledged to attack Dong Zhuo, and Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei fought Lü Bu, ultimately forcing him to move the capital to Chang'an. Nevertheless, Cao Cao's assault on Dong Zhuo was beaten back by Lü Bu, causing Cao Cao to retreat to Yangzhou. After the alliance dissolved, Yuan Shao reclaimed Bohai and seized Jizhou. Yuan Shao clashed with Gongsun Zan at Panhe and prevailed. Sun Jian crossed the river to confront Liu Biao. Following Kuai Liang's advice, Liu Biao set an ambush and struck down Sun Jian with arrows. Sun Ce traded his father's remains for Huang Zu's and returned to Jiangdong. Dong Zhuo's rule in Chang'an featured indiscriminate slaughter. Wang Yun and Diao Chan plotted for Lü Bu to assassinate Dong Zhuo. However, when Li Jue and Guo Si were denied amnesty, they besieged Chang'an and killed Wang Yun. Zhang Kai, serving under Tao Qian, murdered Cao Cao's father. Driven by vengeance, Cao Cao attacked Tao Qian directly. Liu Bei aided Tao Qian, and Tao Qian thrice refused to yield Xuzhou to Liu Bei. Cao Cao regained Yanzhou, defeated Lü Bu, and captured Dingtao. Lü Bu then submitted to Liu Bei and stationed himself at Xiaopei. Guo Si abducted the emperor, but Dong Cheng and others rescued him. Cao Cao escorted the emperor to Xudu. Liu Bei moved against Yuan Shu, but Lü Bu invaded Xuzhou. Liu Bei relocated to Xiaopei. Lü Bu deterred Yuan Shu's general, Ji Ling, from attacking Liu Bei by shooting an arrow through the camp gate. Yuan Shu declared himself emperor, prompting Cao Cao to wage war against him with imperial authority. On Jia Xu's advice, Zhang Xiu surrendered to Cao Cao, only to rebel after Cao Cao took Zou Shi, Zhang Xiu's uncle's wife. Zhang Xiu attacked Cao Cao at night, but was eventually defeated when Cao Cao launched a surprise assault. Zhang Xiu invited Liu Biao to ally against Cao Cao, but was ambushed and forced to return to defend Xuchang. Chen Gong intercepted correspondence revealing Liu Bei's allegiance with Cao Cao, prompting Lü Bu to attack Liu Bei. Cao Cao dispatched troops to help Liu Bei, defeating Lü Bu at Xiaoguan and seizing Xuzhou. Lü Bu was then executed at Baimen Tower. Returning to Xuchang, Cao Cao presented Liu Bei to Emperor Xian, who recognized Liu Bei as his uncle. Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, and Xiliang Governor Ma Teng conspired to rebel, recruiting Liu Bei. During a discussion over wine, Cao Cao identified Liu Bei as a potential rival, and Liu Bei feigned a mission against Yuan Shu to distance himself from Cao Cao, seizing control of Xuzhou. Mi Zhengping, stark naked, railed against Cao Cao and was sent to persuade Liu Biao to surrender, only to be slain by Huang Zu. Dong Cheng and the imperial physician, Ji Ping, attempted to poison Cao Cao but were betrayed. A hidden imperial edict exposed their plot, and Ji Ping ended his life by throwing himself against the steps. Dong Cheng, over seven hundred others, and Consort Dong were executed. Cao Cao launched a multi-pronged attack on Xuzhou, advancing east to subdue Liu Bei. Zhang Fei was defeated and fled to Mount Mangdang. Liu Bei sought refuge with Yuan Shao in Qingzhou. Guan Yu and Zhang Liao reached a truce at Tushan.
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