• The death of Fan Chou and fracturing of the West [Three Kingdoms]

    After Dong Zhuo was assassinated by Wang Yun and Lü Bu, his former generals—Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou—stationed in Shan County east of Chang’an, were on the verge of collapse. It was Jia Xu who advised them to unite and strike back, warning that surrender would mean certain death.

  • The collapse of the Second Coalition[Three Kingdoms]

    After Dong Zhuo was assassinated by Wang Yun and Lü Bu, his former generals—Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou—stationed in Shan County east of Chang’an, were on the verge of fleeing in disarray, fearing retribution. It was the strategist Jia Xu who urged them to unite and strike back, warning that…

  • Li Ru in the novel and history [Three Kingdoms]

    In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Li Ru is portrayed as a central and sinister figure—Dong Zhuo’s son-in-law and chief strategist, to whom the warlord turned for counsel on every major decision. Though historically obscure, Li Ru is elevated in the novel to the role of Dong Zhuo’s intellectual architect, shaping his rise, reign,…

  • Bao Xin and Cao Cao’s Rise [Three Kingdoms]

    In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Bao Xin is a minor figure, and his appearances are few but pivotal.

  • How Cao Cao seized Yanzhou: The calculated rise of a Warlord [Three Kingdoms]

    In 192 AD, after Li Jue and Guo Si seized Chang’an, murdered Wang Yun, and captured Emperor Xian, they established control over the Sili region and eastern Liang Province(Liangzhou), effectively holding the Han central government hostage for the next four years. Though they nominally ruled in the emperor’s name, real power in the empire…

  • The guerrilla tactics of Peng Yue [Three Kingdoms]

    Li Jue was originally a general under Dong Zhuo. After Dong Zhuo was killed by Wang Yun and Lü Bu, he declared independence and, following the strategy of his advisor Jia Xu, attacked the capital city of Chang’an. Today, let’s discuss how Li Jue defeated Lü Bu and successfully captured Chang’an.