Romance of the Three Kingdoms was written and published by Luo Guanzhong sometime in the 14th century and is set in the turbulent years towards the end of the Han Dynasty and subsequent periods spanning from 169 to 280 AD.
The novel begins by depicting the collapse of the illustrious and initially prosperous Han Dynasty. The novel explains that the Han Dynasty broke up because of corruption at its highest levels and internal strife. Because of the corruption, China is sent into a tailspin, and a power struggle among feudal lords and other powerful people emerges. To that end, three successive powers took control of China, which became known as the "Three Kingdoms" period. Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan, who became the rulers of the Shu Han, Wei, and Wu kingdoms, respectively, are some of the key figures in the novel who are instrumental in shaping the "Three Kingdoms" period
Liu Bei is portrayed as the ideal Confucian (a person who follows the teachings of the philosopher Confucious) leader. He is benevolent and kind, which initially weakens his position. However, with the help of his brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and a military strategist named Zhuge Liang, he established the Shu Han in the southwest. Liu's ultimate goal was to restore the Han dynasty, which brought him happiness and prosperity no one could imagine.
Next, the novel follows Cao Cao. Cao Cao was a complex, cunning, and ruthless leader who rose to power after the Han Dynasty and established the Kingdom of Wei in northern China. Although he is often seen as a tyrant, Cao Cao is also respected for his military genius and governance skills by the people around him and citizens across the country.
Next, Sun Quan, who ruled the southeastern regions of China, established the Kingdom of Wu. With the help of a core group of friends, Sun Quan manages to hold onto his kingdom and retain power despite going head-to-head with several more powerful adversaries. The most significant event in Sun Quan's story is The Battle of Red Cliffs, where Sun Quan and Liu Bei fail to defeat Cao Cao's massive fleet, altering the power dynamics between the three kingdoms and giving China a massive state with an outsized amount of power in its politics.
Throughout the novel, Guanzhong explores how battles, alliances, and terrible betrayals shape the course of the three aforementioned kingdoms. In the end, the Wei kingdom, under the leadership of Sima Yi and his descendants, managed to conquer Shu and Wu, leading to the unification of China under the Jin Dynasty. But their victory is a hollow one.
