• The Battle for Hanzhong [Three Kingdoms]

    When Cao Cao learned that Liu Bei had taken control of Yizhou (Yi Province, modern Sichuan), he realized that unifying the empire would be impossible without securing the strategic corridor of Hanzhong, which lay directly north of Yizhou.

  • How Liu Bei seized Yizhou? [Three Kingdoms]

    In 211 CE, news reached Liu Zhang, governor of Yizhou (modern Sichuan province), that Cao Cao planned to march through Guanzhong to attack Hanzhong – the northern gateway to Yizhou.

  • Sowing Discord [Three Kingdoms]

    The Guanxi (Guanzhong and Liangzhou) region had long been under the control of two powerful warlords: Ma Teng and Han Sui. Ma Teng, a descendant of the famed Eastern Han general Ma Yuan, commanded deep loyalty among the frontier troops.

  • The Fire at Red Cliffs [Three Kingdoms]

    After retreating from Changban, Liu Bei stationed his forces at Fankou, awaiting news from Eastern Wu. When he learned that Zhou Yu’s fleet had arrived, Liu Bei immediately dispatched envoys to greet them.

  • The alliance that saved the south [Three Kingdoms]

    In AD 208, Cao Cao abolished the traditional “Three Excellencies” and revived the title of Chancellor – a position he assumed himself, consolidating absolute power. By July, he launched a massive southern expedition to conquer Jingzhou (Jing Province).

  • Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage [Three Kingdoms]

    In 201, Liu Bei was defeated by Cao Cao in Runan and lost his base, so he fled south to Jingzhou to seek the protection of Liu Biao. Liu Biao also needed Liu Bei as a northern barrier against Cao Cao, so he granted Liu Bei a thousand troops and stationed him in Xinye.