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The tale opens in a restless late‑Han China where natural disasters and court intrigues signal the empire’s decay. Corrupt eunuchs dominate the palace, while peasant unrest erupts under the banner of the Yellow Turbans, a charismatic cult led by the mysterious Zhang brothers. Their rebellion spreads across the countryside, challenging the fragile authority of the imperial officials.
Amid this turmoil, a modest but determined young man from a humble village—renowned for his towering height and noble lineage—answers a call to arms. He quickly forges a brotherly pact with two fierce warriors, each bearing a distinct reputation for loyalty and ferocity. Together they rally a band of local militia, confronting the rebel forces in a series of daring skirmishes that showcase their emerging leadership and the raw energy of the era.
The opening sets the stage for a sprawling saga of loyalty, ambition, and the clash between order and chaos, inviting listeners to follow how these unlikely heroes navigate a world on the brink of transformation.
Language
zh
Duration
~10 hours (618K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2007-12-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known as the traditional author of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this classic Chinese writer helped shape one of the most influential stories in East Asian literature. Much about his life remains uncertain, which only adds to the legend around his work.
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