"Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was compiled by Ming dynasty litterateur Luo Guanzhong based on popular tales of the time. It mainly introduces the ambitions of warlords who rose up at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and fought for supremacy over the world. The story is interwoven with the three states of Wei, Shu, and Wu, with Shu Han as the main body. The author highly praises key figures in Shu Han such as Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhuge Liang, while being more critical of Cao Cao, the main character in Wei. However, the main characters of Eastern Wu, such as Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and Sun Quan, are only briefly described as "supporting roles."
"Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is one of the four great classical novels of China, belonging to the episodic novel genre, so it holds an important place in the history of Chinese literature and has received many evaluations. Among them, many stories have made people applaud. Some of my favorite stories include "Crossing Five Passes and Slashing Six Generals," "Three Visits to the Straw Cottage," "Borrowing Arrows with Grass Boats," etc.
One of my interests —— Crossing Five Passes and Slashing Six Generals, a thousand-mile solo ride.
In the twenty-seventh chapter of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," the story of "Crossing Five Passes and Slashing Six Generals" is one of the most widely circulated stories in the book. At that time, Guan Yu had to temporarily submit to Cao Cao's camp in order to protect his two sisters-in-law and nephew. In today's terms, although Guan Yu accepted the position of "Marquis of Hanshou Pavilion," he was constantly thinking about his elder brother - Liu Bei, always inquiring about Liu Bei's whereabouts. When he learned that Liu Bei was in Hebei, he "sealed his seal and returned his gold" and left Cao Cao's camp, escorting the two sisters-in-law and a few attendants day and night to join Liu Bei. Along the way, they passed through five checkpoints; because they did not obtain a pass from Cao Cao, they were obstructed along the way, forcing them to break through five checkpoints including Dongling Pass and Luoyang, successively slaying six generals including Kong Xiu and Han Fu. This event is historically known as "Crossing Five Passes and Slashing Six Generals." The book uses a large amount of text and exaggerated techniques to vividly describe this story, leaving an unforgettable impression on readers.
Historically, there was no actual "Crossing Five Passes and Slashing Six Generals" incident. This was the author's artistic fabrication, aiming to express Guan Yu's loyalty and righteousness in traveling a thousand miles to find his brother despite hardships. Although "Crossing Five Passes and Slashing Six Generals" does not hold up to logical scrutiny, it conforms to the aesthetic psychology of the vast majority of people who listen to the stories of the Three Kingdoms without paying attention to geographical directions. Over time, "Crossing Five Passes and Slashing Six Generals" has not only been accepted by people but has also become a classic idiom, turning into a common phrase used in everyday conversation.
My second interest —— Three Visits to the Straw Cottage
In the 27th episode of the TV series "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," it describes how Liu Bei, after being recommended by strategist Xu Shu (recommended), learned that Zhuge Liang in Longzhong Wulong Ridge was very knowledgeable and talented, surpassing himself by more than a hundred times (at the time it was said: getting either the Sleeping Dragon or the Young Phoenix could stabilize the world, Zhuge Liang was called the "Sleeping Dragon"). At that time, Liu Bei was in dire straits and urgently needed talent, so he went to Longzhong Wulong Ridge three times with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to invite Zhuge Liang out of seclusion. The first two times coincided with Zhuge Liang being away (or deliberately avoiding Liu Bei to test his sincerity). However, Liu Bei, in order to express his heartfelt sincerity, fasted for three consecutive days and, despite Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's extreme reluctance, invited Zhuge Liang for the third time. Zhuge Liang was moved by Liu Bei's sincerity and agreed to come out of seclusion to assist Liu Bei in achieving a great cause. After initially leaving the straw cottage, Zhuge Liang helped Liu Bei win several battles in succession, quickly expanding his territory, laying a favorable foundation for Liu Bei's later establishment of the Shu Kingdom. The "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" refers to this story as "Three Visits to the Straw Cottage."
Although historical records have various interpretations of "Three Visits to the Straw Cottage," the author uses this story to inspire future generations that talent is the driving force and root of doing everything well.
My third interest —— Borrowing Arrows with Grass Boats
In the 39th episode of the TV series "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," titled "Burning the Red Cliffs," it tells the story of Liu Bei and Eastern Wu uniting to resist Cao Cao. Because Eastern Wu's Grand Marshal Zhou Yu was jealous of Zhuge Liang's abilities and feared he would become a future threat to Eastern Wu, he designed several plots to harm Zhuge Liang, proposing that Zhuge Liang produce 100,000 arrows within ten days to be used in attacking Cao Cao. However, Zhuge Liang knew that Zhou Yu wanted to use this opportunity to kill him, but in order not to disrupt the joint effort between Sun Quan and Liu Bei to defeat Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang relied on his intelligence and extensive geographical knowledge, using foggy weather to cleverly borrow (trick) over 100,000 arrows from Cao Cao. This event is historically known as "Borrowing Arrows with Grass Boats."
This story contains a lot of fictional elements. According to official histories, "Borrowing Arrows with Grass Boats" indeed happened, but it was during the war between Sun Quan and Cao Cao. "Sun Quan personally took a boat to spy on Cao Cao's military situation, was discovered by Cao Cao, who ordered his soldiers to shoot arrows at Sun Quan's boat. Due to too many arrows on one side of the boat, it tilted dangerously close to capsizing and sinking. Sun Quan quickly thought of a solution, ordering his soldiers to turn the boat around, allowing Cao Cao's soldiers to continue shooting arrows, balancing the boat and escaping danger. Sun Quan's intelligence impressed Cao Cao greatly, leaving behind the famous saying: 'A son should be like Sun Zhongmou.' Additionally, historical records indicate that Zhou Yu had a very broad mind and would never have envied Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang's "Borrowing Arrows with Grass Boats" is one of the most exciting stories in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." The author devoted a large amount of text to depict this story with great exaggeration. The story not only reflects Zhuge Liang's wisdom and talent, but also skillfully borrowed arrows, promoting further cooperation between Sun and Liu; it reflects Zhou Yu's narrow-mindedness, yet Zhou Yu secretly admires Zhuge Liang, foreshadowing Zhou Yu's death later; it reflects the powerful military strength of Cao Cao at the time, yet also highlights the philosophical truth that arrogance leads to failure. This story leaves rich spiritual nourishment and endless imagination for future readers.
The stories in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" can be said to be household names, and anyone can tell a few episodes when mentioned. But truly understanding "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is not something everyone can do. Although I love "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," I have finished reading the original work and watched the TV series several times, but still only understand it superficially, finding it difficult to fully grasp Mr. Luo Guanzhong's true essence. I can only gain some shallow insights and rough understanding from a few stories.
Firstly, one must be humble and cautious, and not become arrogant after achieving a little success. As Chairman Mao Zedong said, our cadres must be humble and cautious, guarding against arrogance and impatience. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of knowledge and ability. Zhuge Liang merely understood more astronomy and geography than others. If there were modern weather forecasts at the time, how could Cao Cao have fallen for such a trick? People's understanding of the weather back then could only rely on experience and conjecture. Thirdly, hiring and utilizing talent must be guaranteed by good policies, ensuring trust in those you employ, and doubting those you don't use. In today's economic tide, talent is the market, talent is efficiency, talent is productivity. Fourthly, unity is strength; in government, unity produces capable officials; in business, unity produces efficiency; in battle, unity is strength, able to overcome all enemies and difficulties. Ancient people could unite Sun and Liu to resist strong enemies. Fifthly, valuing righteousness and emotion, but not forming cliques. Liu Bei, under extremely low productivity at the time, was able to seize a third of the world, apart from other factors, "harmony among people" played a decisive role. It was "righteousness and emotion" that helped Liu Bei win the hearts of the people. Therefore, the author says, the one who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. Sixthly, deeply feeling the profoundness of Chinese literature, Mr. Luo Guanzhong vividly depicts all the characters, such as Guan Yu's righteousness, Zhang Fei's straightforwardness, Zhuge Liang's loyalty, and Cao Cao's cunning... Seventhly, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" belongs to the episodic novel genre, with continuous stories. Especially after being adapted into a TV series, it becomes even more captivating, full of charm, properly arranged, tense and thrilling, giving viewers a deep sense of immersion.
Reading the original version of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" once brings a new harvest, watching the TV series once brings a new realization. I can only bluntly tell all colleagues, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is a good book, its plot is wonderful, making me unable to put it down.