2 3 Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. www.tuttlepublishing.com Copyright © 2014 Ronald C. Iverson All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data in process. ISBN: 978-1-4629-1437-1 (ebook) Distributed by North America, Latin America & Europe Tuttle Publishing 364 Innovation Drive North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A. Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930 Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993 [email protected] www.tuttlepublishing.com Asia Pacific Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd. 4 61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12 Singapore 534167 Tel: (65) 6280-1330 Fax: (65) 6280-6290 [email protected] www.periplus.com Japan Tuttle Publishing Yaekari Building, 3rd Floor 5-4-12 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku Tokyo 141 0032 Tel: (81) 3 5437-0171 Fax: (81) 3 5437-0755 [email protected] www.tuttle.co.jp 16 15 14 5 4 3 2 1 1401MP Printed in Singapore ® TUTTLE PUBLISHING is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. 5 Dedication To my son, Winston, and my daughter, Aimee, who, from a toddler’s age to adulthood, were thrilled with my telling and retelling of the stories from this great book. With sincere gratitude to Yu Sumei for accepting the challenge to work with me to create a new translation of this classic literature with the goal of turning it into an exciting novel. My belief is that it is not just what you say but how you say it. My appreciation to Yu Sumei’s daughter who typed out each page. They worked diligently for two years to produce a uniquely compelling version of this epic work, complete with footnotes for clarification of certain events and words in the text. My gratitude extends to a friend, Shen Li who was instrumental in recommending and introducing me to Yu Sumei. And certainly a note of gratitude to Cheryl Banks for her suggestions as to improving the look of the book, as well as her many hours of help in preparing this text for printing which ultimately led to its publication. No dedication would be complete without the mention of my many Chinese and American friends who encouraged me to continue this new translation and share it with the world. May readers enjoy the journey as much or beyond what we have experienced in the production of this classic, which will live in perpetuity. Ronald C. Iverson 6 7 Contents CHAPTER ONE Three Heroes Swear Brotherhood at a Feast in the Peach Garden The Sworn Brothers Render Good Services in Fighting Against the Rebels CHAPTER TWO Zhang Fei Thrashes the Inspector in Wrath He Jin Plots to Kill the Eunuchs in Secret CHAPTER THREE Dong Zhuo Silences Ding Yuan at Wenming Gardens Li Shu Bribes Lu Bu with Lavish Gifts CHAPTER FOUR Prince of Chenliu Sits in the Throne to Replace the Deposed Emperor Cao Cao Presents Dong Zhuo a Sword in an Attempt to Kill Him CHAPTER FIVE Many Lords Respond to Cao Cao’s Call Against Dong Zhuo The Three Brothers Fight with Lu Bu in the Battle at Tigertrap Pass CHAPTER SIX Burning the Capital, Dong Zhuo Commits Atrocities Hiding the Emperor’s Seal, Sun Jian Breaks His Faith 8 CHAPTER SEVEN Yuan Shao Fights with Gongsun Zan at River Pan Sun Jian Crosses the River to Attack Liu Biao CHAPTER EIGHT Wang Yun Cleverly Employs the “Chain” Scheme Dong Zhuo Raises Havoc at Fengyi Pavilion CHAPTER NINE Lu Bu Helps Wang Yun Destroy the Tyrant Li Jue Seeks Counsel from Jia Xu on Attacking the Capital CHAPTER TEN Ma Teng Raises an Army to Fight the Rebels Cao Cao Attacks Xuzhou to Avenge his Father CHAPTER ELEVEN Liu Bei Rescues Kong Rong in Beihai Lu Bu Defeats Cao Cao at Puyang CHAPTER TWELVE Prefect Tao Thrice Offers Xuzhou to Liu Bei Cao Cao Fights a Great Battle Against Lu Bu CHAPTER THIRTEEN Li Jue and Guo Si Fight a Bloody Battle Yang Feng and Dong Cheng Rescue the Emperor CHAPTER FOURTEEN Cao Cao Moves the Throne to Xudu Lu Bu Raids Xuzhou at Night 9 CHAPTER FIFTEEN Taishi Ci Fights a Fierce Battle with Sun Ce Sun Ce Competes with the White Tiger CHAPTER SIXTEEN Lu Bu Performs a Feat in Archery Cao Cao Loses a Battle at Yushui River CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Yuan Shu Expeditions Eastward with Seven Divisions Cao Cao Unites Three Forces to Attack Yuan Shu CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Jia Xu Engineers a Great Victory Xiahou Dun Loses An Eye CHAPTER NINETEEN Cao Cao Assembles His Forces at Xiapi Lu Bu Perishes at the White Gate Tower CHAPTER TWENTY Cao Cao Goes Hunting at Xutian Dong Cheng Receives a Secret Decree in the Palace CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Cao Cao Brews the Wine and Talks about Heroes Guan Yu Slays Che Zhou to Regain Xuzhou CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO Yuan Shao and Cao Cao Both Take the Field Guan Yu and Zhang Fei Capture Two Enemy Officers 10