Embark on an epic journey into the collapse of a dynasty in this first episode of our series on Luo Guanzhong's *The Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. We delve into the final turbulent years of the **Eastern Han Dynasty**, a period marked by internal decay and widespread suffering. The central government weakened dramatically, largely due to the increasing power of **eunuchs** who controlled the court and ignored loyal ministers.This corruption and neglect created fertile ground for rebellion, culminating in the outbreak of the massive **Yellow Headband revolt**. Led by Zhang Jue, who claimed divine powers and offered healing with magic, the rebels wore yellow cloth wrapped around their heads, symbolizing a new era and causing imperial troops to scatter.Amidst this chaos, we meet three individuals whose destinies are about to intertwine: **Liu Bei, known as Xuande**, a distant member of the imperial family driven by a desire to help attack the rebels and protect the people; the gallant **Guan Yu**, a traveller who had fled his home after killing a bully; and the erratic but fiercely loyal **Zhang Fei**, a local farmer. They meet by chance while answering a call to arms against the rebels. Moved by a shared purpose, they bind themselves in one of the most famous oaths in Chinese history: the **vow of the peach orchard**. Promising to support each other, defend the people, and seek to die side by side, they become sworn brothers with Xuande as their leader.As the Yellow Turban threat begins to recede, a new danger emerges from within the crumbling court. The warlord **Dong Zhuo**, initially summoned to aid against the rebels, quickly seizes control, deposing the legitimate emperor and installing his own puppet ruler. Dong Zhuo rules ruthlessly, destroying the capital city of Luoyang and moving the court to Chang'an.His tyranny sparks outrage, prompting **Cao Cao**, a commander who had previously plotted against the eunuchs, to attempt to assassinate the dictator. When this fails, Cao Cao issues a forged imperial edict, calling on leaders across the land to unite against Dong Zhuo. This summons leads to the formation of a **coalition of warlords**, nominally led by Yuan Shao, with Xuande and his brothers also joining the cause.The initial conflicts of this coalition introduce more pivotal figures, including **Lü Bu**, an unparalleled warrior first serving Ding Yuan, who is bribed by Dong Zhuo's sidekick Li Su to betray his master and join the tyrant. Lü Bu's formidable skill is on full display as he clashes with the coalition forces, famously battling the three sworn brothers Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei at Tiger Cage Pass.Join us as we explore these foundational events and characters – the loyal brothers Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei; the ambitious strategist Cao Cao; the vacillating leader Yuan Shao; the tyrannical Dong Zhuo; and the powerful, conflicted Lü Bu – whose actions and ambitions ignite the fires of conflict that will consume the empire for decades to come.

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