The novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, typically referred to as the novel Sanguo Yanyi (三国演义), is a classic historical fiction written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century during the Ming Dynasty.
The novel is based on events that occurred in the middle of the 3rd century CE during the period of the Three Kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu in China. It is a narrative of the turbulent relationships between these three kingdoms, which eventually led to their eventual unification under the Jin Dynasty.
This classic novel is composed of 120 chapters and covers a time period of about 100 years starting from 169 CE when the last Han Dynasty emperor was overthrown by General Dong Zhuo and ending with the unification of the three states by the Jin Dynasty in 280 CE.
Many of the characters featured in the novel are powerful historical figures, such as Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan. In the novel, these three figures stand as the main figures leading their respective forces in establishing their supremacy over the others. The subplots involve the struggles and battles between these three forces as well as other minor states, alliances and even nomadic tribes in the area over a period of 40 years.
The novel is known for its mix of history and literature, as it contains a lot of poetry and lyrics mixed in with the historical narrative. Many of the more memorable quotes from the novel can be found in Chinese culture today.
Another unique aspect of this novel is the presence of the “Five Tigers” (五虎将). This refers to five generals from three different states fighting under different causes who eventually became allies in pursuit of their various goals. These characters and their actions become some of the most iconic stories found throughout Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Luo Guanzhong also added his own flavor to the existing Confucian and Taoist philosophies of the time to make the novel more interesting and entertaining. This led to the creation of a rich cast of characters that embody various aspects of both Confucian and Taoist ideals.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms is widely considered to be one of the four great classic novels of Chinese literature. It is read and enjoyed around the world, and its influence can be seen in popular culture, including television, anime and video games. Its popularity continues to this day, and it remains one of the most influential works of literature in China and beyond.