SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Sanguozhi

  • The Seven Captures of Meng Huo [Three Kingdoms]

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    Rob

    This article tells Zhuge Liang’s legendary southern campaign to pacify Nanzhong. Following the “win hearts” strategy, he captured and released Meng Huo seven times. Finally subdued, Meng Huo swore lifelong loyalty. This wisdom secured Shu’s southern border, clearing the way for Zhuge’s Northern Expeditions.

  • The empty box and Xun Yu’s silent death [Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    In Chapter 61 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the death of Xun Yu – Cao Cao’s chief strategist and moral compass – is portrayed with tragic symbolism.

  • The Myth of “Borrowing Jingzhou” [Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    The popular saying – “Liu Bei borrowed Jing Province and never returned” – is deeply entrenched in Chinese folklore, largely due to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Yet historical records tell a far more nuanced story. In fact, the very notion of “borrowing Jingzhou” is something of a misleading construct, if not a…

  • Boiling Beans with Beanstalks [Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    This article tells the rivalry between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi after Cao Cao’s death. Cao Zhi’s talent lost to Cao Pi’s prudence. To eliminate his brother, Cao Pi forced him to write a poem within seven steps. The heartfelt Boiling Beans with Beanstalks moved Cao Pi to spare him. Later, Cao Pi founded the Cao…

  • A treacherous stroke in White Robes [Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    Was Lü Meng’s capture of Jing Province in AD 219 a betrayal of an ally? Some people argue that the Sun–Liu alliance effectively collapsed after the Xiang River Partition (circa AD 215), when Liu Bei and Sun Quan divided Jing Province along the Xiang River. However, primary sources from the Records of the Three…

  • Lü Meng’s stealth campaign crossing the Yangtze River [Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    This article narrates Lü Meng’s stealthy conquest of Jingzhou. He feigned illness to lull Guan Yu, then used the “White‑Robed Crossing” to seize Guan’s rear bases. Lü Meng won local hearts, collapsing Guan Yu’s army. Trapped and defeated, Guan Yu was captured and killed, shattering the Sun‑Liu alliance.

  • The Map Unbestowed [Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    This article tells how Cao Cao lost Yizhou by rejecting Zhang Song. Insulted by Cao Cao’s arrogance and contempt, Zhang Song abandoned his plan to offer Yizhou’s secret maps. He instead persuaded Liu Zhang to invite Liu Bei, who later seized Yizhou and founded Shu Han.

  • The Battle for Hanzhong [Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    This article recounts the pivotal Battle of Hanzhong during China’s Three Kingdoms period. It details how Cao Cao initially conquered the region from Zhang Lu but failed to invade Yizhou. Subsequently, Liu Bei launched a campaign to seize the strategic corridor. The narrative highlights the decisive clash at Mount Dingjun, where the veteran general…

  • How Liu Bei seized Yizhou? [Three Kingdoms]

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    Juan

    This article details Liu Bei’s strategic conquest of Yizhou (Sichuan) in 211 CE, a critical turning point in the Three Kingdoms era. It recounts how Liu Bei, aided by the strategist Pang Tong and a conspiracy led by Zhang Song, deceived Governor Liu Zhang to gain entry. The narrative highlights the shift from political…