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The top warrior among the Eighteen Warlords [Three Kingdoms]
Romance of the Three Kingdoms often diverges from the history. For instance, in the episode where Guan Yu kills Hua Xiong while warming wine, historical records state that Guan Yu followed Liu Bei, who was then under Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan was busy fighting the Wuhuan in the north and did not participate in…
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Who really killed Hua Xiong? [Three Kingdoms]
Who really killed Hua Xiong? This is a widely debated question. Historically, during the campaign against Dong Zhuo, Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and Zhang Fei were still obscure minor figures who did not participate in this battle at all.
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The historical truth behind the 18 Warlords [Three Kingdoms]
Today, let’s explore the truth behind the 18 warlords or vassals who, according to Romance of the Three Kingdoms, united to overthrow the tyrant Dong Zhuo.
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The myth vs. reality of the forged imperial edict [Three Kingdoms]
Dong Zhuo’s arrogance, arbitrariness and cruelty ignited widespread fury across the empire. First, he deposed Emperor Shao of Han (Liu Bian), then had him murdered—along with his mother, Empress He and his wife. During the enthronement of the new emperor, Liu Xie, he executed any minister who dared to oppose him.
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Why did Cao Cao kill with a borrowed knife? [Three Kingdoms]
“Kill with a borrowed knife” (“Kill with a borrowed sword”, or “Borrow one’s hand to kill”) is a famous Chinese idiom and also the third stratagem of thirty-six. It means to convince others or even your enemies that your enemies are theirs, and make them believe they will be defeated, betrayed or otherwise end…