Who’s Wei?

“What was important about the Cao Wei kingdom? Who led it and what claim did it have on the Imperial Throne?”

Eventually established as the dominant state among the three, Cao Wei was founded and led by Cao Pi, the son of Cao Cao, a prominent warlord and statesman who played a crucial role in the latter part of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Cao Pi justified his usurpation of the Han throne by arguing that the last Han emperor was an ineffective ruler, and he portrayed himself as a legitimate successor who could restore order and stability to the realm. Cao Pi's decision to establish his own dynasty marked the formal division of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period.

Cao Wei initially controlled the northern and central regions of China. Its capital was Luoyang, a key historical city. As well as expanding its influence and territory over time through military conquests and diplomatic maneuvers, Cao Wei implemented administrative and legal reforms aimed at consolidating its power and strengthening its governance. These reforms included the establishment of a centralized bureaucratic system, land redistribution, and the promotion of Confucianism as the state ideology.

Cao Wei's dominance continued under the reigns of Cao Pi's successors, including Cao Rui and Cao Fang. However, internal strife and external pressures eventually weakened the state. In 263 CE, Cao Wei successfully conquered Shu Han, effectively eliminating one of its major rivals. Cao Wei continued to rule until 265 CE when Sima Yan, a general of the Jin Dynasty, forced the abdication of the last Cao Wei ruler.

 It’s worth noting that although Cao Wei as a kingdom was founded by Cao Pi, it is more commonly associated with his father, and Cao Cao arguably plays a more important role in the novel.

In the Koei Tecmo game series, Dynasty Warriors, the kingdom of Wei is associated with the colour blue (specifically dark blue after the introduction of Jin as a faction) and is symbolised by a phoenix. These associations sometimes find their way into other works too, and I’ve stuck with the colour scheme for this blog as well!

Who’s Wu?

“What was important about the Eastern Wu kingdom? Who led it and what claim did it have on the Imperial Throne?”

Eastern Wu held significant importance due to its maritime power, its strategic location, and its contributions to trade and culture. It was founded by Sun Quan, who was the son of Sun Jian, a prominent warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and the younger brother of Sun Ce “The Little Conqueror”. All three figures play a prominent role in media based around the Three Kingdoms period, but it was Sun Quan who is considered the kingdom’s leader, having declared himself King of Wu in 222 CE and later Emperor of Wu in 229 CE

Eastern Wu's claim to the imperial throne was based on its political and military strength, as well as its connection to the Sun family's lineage. Sun Jian finding the Imperial Seal during the campaign to suppress the Yellow Turban Rebellion is also considered a significant event due to the seal’s nature as a symbol of imperial authority and legitimacy, although it is believed that he returned the seal to the ruling Emperor of the time.

As Eastern Wu was situated in the southeastern coastal regions of China and along the Yangtze River, it had access to maritime trade routes and naval power which contributed to its economic and military prowess. Its focus on naval power allowed it to maintain control over these important waterways and trade routes, and its maritime strength enabled the kingdom to engage in trade with distant regions and establish cultural exchanges, making significant contributions to literature, art, and culture during this time.

Over time though, Eastern Wu's power waned, and it faced internal and external challenges. In 280 CE, the forces of the Jin Dynasty conquered Eastern Wu, reunifying China under a single ruling dynasty and ending the Three Kingdoms period.

In the Koei Tecmo game series, Dynasty Warriors, the kingdom of Wu is associated with the colour red and is symbolised by a tiger. These associations sometimes find their way into other works too, and I’ve stuck with the colour scheme for this blog as well!

Who’s Shu?

“What was important about the Shu Han kingdom? Who led it and what claim did it have on the Imperial Throne?”

Shu Han's importance lies in its role as a symbol of perseverance and resistance against adversity. Its leaders, especially Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, are celebrated figures in Chinese history and literature.

Shu Han was founded by Liu Bei, whose claim to the imperial throne was based on his lineage as a distant relative of the ruling Liu clan of the Han Dynasty. He and his followers considered themselves legitimate defenders of the Han Dynasty's legacy, aiming to restore the Han monarchy and bring stability to the realm. Liu Bei declared himself Emperor Zhaolie of Shu in 221 CE.

He was joined by the brilliant strategist Zhuge Liang, whose military and political expertise contributed significantly to the kingdom's survival. Zhuge Liang's innovations in military tactics and governance had a lasting impact on Chinese history.

Shu Han also held significance due to its unique geographical location. Located in the southwestern region of China, primarily in the Sichuan Basin, the rugged terrain of the region provided a natural defense against potential invaders, contributing to Shu Han's resilience.

Unfortunately, despite its determination and efforts, Shu Han faced challenges such as resource scarcity and conflicts with its rivals. After Liu Bei's death, his son Liu Shan ascended to the throne, but the kingdom struggled to maintain its power. In 263 CE, Shu Han was conquered by the Wei forces, bringing an end to its existence as an independent state.

In the Koei Tecmo game series, Dynasty Warriors, the kingdom of Shu is associated with the colour green and is symbolised by a dragon. These associations sometimes find their way into other works too, and I’ve stuck with the colour scheme for this blog as well!

One Big Old Book

“What is Romance Of The Three Kingdoms? Who wrote it and why is it so famous?”

If you’ve found yourself here and you don’t know what Romance Of The Three Kingdoms is, then you and I are about to become very fast friends as you can see this is one of my favourite things to talk about!

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a historical novel that tells the story of the chaotic period of Chinese history that followed the fall of the Han dynasty. It was written by Luo Guanzhong, a Chinese writer who lived in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Even without taking into account its cultural significance (it’s one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, along with the Journey To The West, The Water Margin and Dream Of The Red Chamber) it has everything that makes a good book in and of itself; a compelling narrative, well-designed characters, moral themes and enduring literary excellence. It’s generally considered a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history and literature, but as you can guess, I’m quite biased about this!

But what is it actually about?

Well, as the name suggests, the novel is set during the turbulent period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280 CE) era in Chinese history. It reflects the political intrigue, military strategies, and complex relationships of the time, and the historical context shows prominent figures who have become deeply ingrained in Chinese culture; there’s a good chance you’ve seen or heard references to it in other places already*. The novel’s depictions of these characters and events has had a strong hand in shaping perceptions of the past and influencing subsequent works of literature, art, and entertainment.

As an epic that spans 120 chapters and totals around 800, 000 words, Romance Of The Three Kingdoms has a grand scale and weaves together multiple, intricate plotlines, and covers a period of over one hundred years. It should also be noted though that Romance Of The Three Kingdoms is a work of historical fiction, and blends historical fact with imaginative extravagance to help portray the characters’ struggles and virtues.

Personally, I find these fictional embellishments to be central to its charm, and part of what helps it tell its story so engagingly. The moral themes of loyalty and honour, friendship and betrayal are much more at the novel’s heart than historical accuracy, and if  Luo Guanzhong decided that the best way to show Zhao Yun’s virtue and loyalty is to charge alone against two armies to save his lord’s infant son, then I am not here to complain about how that probably didn’t happen exactly as described! It is cool though.

 *Magic: The Gathering, Gundam, Fist Of The North Star, Overwatch, Smite and the Fate/ Series are just a few examples of places where you may have seen references to Romance Of The Three Kingdoms. And that’s before we even start on the countless films/games/manga/etc that are directly inspired by it!

What Three Kingdoms?

“What was the Three Kingdoms period of China? When did it start and when did it end?”

The Three Kingdoms Period of China was a time of great upheaval and political turmoil between the end of the Han dynasty and the establishment of the Jin dynasty, lasting from 220 to 280 AD. This time period is named after the three kingdoms that emerged during this time: the Cao Wei Kingdom, the Shu Han Kingdom, and the Eastern Wu Kingdom.

Cao Wei (220–265 CE): Founded by Cao Pi and based in the northern regions of China. His father, Cao Cao, was a prominent warlord and statesman who played a crucial role in the latter part of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and is sometimes also portrayed as the leader of this faction.

Shu Han (221–263 CE): Founded by Liu Bei and situated in the south-western part of China, primarily in the Sichuan Basin. Liu Bei had a claim to the imperial throne based on his lineage, and is often portrayed as righteous and benevolent.

Eastern Wu (229–280 CE): Founded by Sun Quan, and located in the south-eastern coastal regions of China, centered around the Yangtze River. His father, Sun Jian, and elder brother, Sun Ce, began the work that would eventually lead to the forming of the Eastern Wu kingdom, but neither lived to see it founded.

The Three Kingdoms period was marked by military conflicts, political intrigue, and strategic alliances as these three states vied for supremacy over the fragmented realm. It eventually came to an end when the state of Wei conquered Shu in 263 CE, and then Wu in 280 CE, reuniting China under the Jin Dynasty.

The historical events and characters of the Three Kingdoms period have been extensively recorded in the historical text "Records of the Three Kingdoms" written by Chen Shou, as well as in various novels, particularly the famous "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" written by Luo Guanzhong during the Ming Dynasty. These accounts have contributed to the enduring fascination with this period in Chinese history.

It’s my own fascination with “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” in particular that fuels this blog, so a lot of the content herein will be focused more on that than on historical record. It helps to know the differences though!