Most epics are composed from the imagination
Of highly gifted poets, Sometimes they are also based
On historical events. Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Is an excellent instance of a literary work
That emerged from history. The general agreement
Is that this epic has had considerable impact
On China’s long history and her ancient culture.
It was Brewitt-Taylor who translated this masterpiece
Into readable English within reach of millions.
And published it in nineteen twenty-five for those who are
Not familiar with Chinese names and places.
Even it in its translation
It may not be that easy.
SOME CHARACTERS
The epic story begins with these invocatory lines:
“Oh so vast, oh so mighty, the Great River rolls to sea.
Flowers do waves thrash, heroes do sands smash
When all the dreams do drain some are loss and gain.”
Right in the Chapter One we read an abstract of the story
As well as the moral hat one hopes it will bring.
There are three heroes who swear brotherhood in a peach garden.
A victory shatters the rebels in the battles that they fight.
After a long divide the world tends to unite.
The three kingdoms to which the title refers
Bear the names of Shu Han, Wei, and Wu.
They were founded respectively by Liu Pei, Ts’ao-T’sao, and Sun Sh’uan.
Then there was also Chou Yü, the General of the first kingdom,
Kuan Yü, Liu’s sworn brother, as well as Chang Fei, also Liu’s brother.
There was Chu-ko-Liang who was Pei’s prime minister and weak successor.
Lü Po was an unprincipled warrior who has an affair with Tiao Shan.
Ssu-Ma was the name of the founder of a family in Wei.
BEGINNING
J
A very large following of wise counselors and brave fighters.
He eliminated all his rivals and ruled over North China.
He was renowned as King of Wei, and he humiliated the Han emperor.
Liu Pei also rose to fame during the Yellow Turban revolt.
But he was doing very poorly for a very long time indeed.
Yes, he did have the great support of his two sworn brothers,
Who were known to all as Kuan Yu and Chang Fei.
His fortunes changed after he made Chu-ko Liang his Prime Minister.
Soon after that he ruled Szechwan ss the great King of Shu Han.
Liu Pei was starting now to make his fortunes better,
Sun Ch’üan of the kingdom of Yangtse was the only one
To openly oppose Ts’ao-Ts’ao’s territorial ambitions.
Sun Ch’üan had inherited his very wealthy kingdom
From his father and also from his elder brother.
Ts’ao-Ts’ao’ now decided o cross the Yangtze river Wu to subdue.
At this point Sun Ch’üan formed an alliance with Liu Pei,
And the strategy of their commanders, Chou Yü and Chu-ko Liang
Thy gave at last a crushing blow to the forces of Ts’ao-Ts’a0
After this victory Liu Pei went to Szechwan and thus arose
The precarious power balance of the Three kingdoms was established.
But then, alas, the friendship between Shu and Wu did not last long.
Now Juan Yu entrusted the task of governing the province of Wu land,
Thus antagonizing Sun Chüan. But he was killed in a military encounter.
Spurts of Thought 