Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were not born on the same day, but they wished to die at the same time. Shown here: Three heroes swear brotherhood in the peach garden.

A few quotations from the characters in Romance of Three Kingdoms.

• "The peach trees in the orchard behind the house are just in full flower. Tomorrow we will institute a sacrifice there and solemnly declare our intention before Heaven and Earth. And we three will swear brotherhood and unity of aims and sentiments; thus will we enter upon our great task."---Chapter 1---Zhang Fei suggested the oath of brotherhood to Liu Bei and Guan Yu.

• "The world can do without Cao Hong, but not without you, my lord!"---Chapter 6---when his general Cao Hong yielded his horse to Cao Cao, who was pursued by Lu Bu's army.

• "He is far abler than I and fully equal to the task of ruling. Should he have doubts upon internal affairs, he must turn to Zhang Zhao; for outer matters he must consult Zhou Yu."---Chapter 29---said Sun Ce of his brother Sun Quan.

• Liu Bei wept. "If you will not, O Master, what will become of the people?"---Chapter 38---Liu Bei was pleading Zhuge Liang to aid him in restoring the empire.

• "General, if you will accept me, I will render what trifling service I can."---Chapter 38---Zhuge Liang yielded to Liu Bei's call.

• "A fierce wild beast: If he comes, his prey will be humans!"---Chapter 3---said Zheng Tai of Dong Zhuo, who was approaching the capital with a huge army.

• "Do not fear, my father! I look upon all the lords beyond the passes as so much stubble. And with the warriors of our fierce army, I will put every one of them to death and hang their heads at the gates of the capital."---Chapter 5---Lu Bu showed his awe over the lords who were rebelling against Dong Zhuo.

• "With your aid I can sleep secure!"---Chapter 5---Dong Zhuo was fully confident in his adopted son Lu Bu.

• When Lu Bu was very mellow, Wang Yun suddenly said, "Let her come in!" Soon appeared two attendants, dressed in white, leading between them the exquisite and fascinating Diao Chan. ---Chapter 8---Diao Chan entered politics.

• Guan Yu quickly mounted, turned down his mighty weapon, and galloped down the hill; his phoenix eyes rounded, and his silkworm eyebrows fiercely bristling. He dashed straight into the enemy's array, and the northern soldiers opened like falling waves and dissolving storms. He made directly for the commander.---Chapter 25---The hero plunged into battlefield.

• As the men of Cao Cao came pressing on, Zhao Zilong drew Cao Cao's own sword to beat them off. Nothing could resist the Blue Blade Sword. Armor, clothing, it went through without effort and blood gushed forth in fountains wherever it struck. So the four generals were soon beaten off, and Zhao Zilong was once again free.---Chapter 41---Zhao Zilong triumped against a myriad army.

• Tao Qian reluctantly sent the army out. From a distance he saw Cao Cao's army spread abroad like frost and rushed far and wide like snow. In their midst was a large white flag and on both sides was written "Vengeance".---Chapter 10---Cao Cao marched against Xuzhou.

• Yu Jin rode forward shouting at the top of his voice, "Halt the train!" Xiahou Dun saw him coming up and asked what was the matter. Yu Jin said, "The roads here are narrow and difficult. Around us are thick forests. What if they use fire?" Xiahou Dun's ferocity had then somewhat abated and he turned his steed toward his main army. Then there arose a shout behind him. A rushing noise came from in the reeds and great tongues of flame shot up here and there. These spread and soon the fire was in "the four quarters and the eight sides," and fanned by a strong wind.---Chapter 39---Zhuge Liang's first battle.

• Zhou Yu said to Zhuge Liang, "I hold a sacred trust from my lord, Sun Ce. I would not bow the knee to any such as Cao Cao. What I said just now was to see how you stood. I left Poyang Lake with the intention of attacking the north, and nothing can change that intention, not even the sword at my breast or the ax on my neck."---Chapter 44---Zhou Yu, the guardian of the south.

• Huang Gai took his place on the third ship. He merely wore breast armor and carried a keen blade. On his flag were written four large characters "Van Leader Huang Gai". With a fair wind his fleet sailed toward the Red Cliffs.---Chapter 49---The start of the battle of Red Cliffs.

• With a cry, Ma Chao set his spear and rode over toward Cao Cao as if to slay him. But Yu Jin came out from behind and engaged Ma Chao in battle. These two fought some half score bouts, and then Yu Jin had to flee. Zhang He, however, took his place and the two warriors exchanged twenty passes. Then Zhang He, too, ran away. Next to come forth was Li Tong. Ma Chao's martial prowess was now at its height, and he made short work of Li Tong, who went out of the saddle at the first blow. Then Ma Chao flourished his spear at the troops behind him as a signal for them to come on, which they did like a flood. They overwhelmed Cao Cao's forces, and Ma Chao, Pang De, and Ma Dai rode forward to try to capture Cao Cao.---Chapter 58---Ma Chao in the battlefield.

• Sun Quan and Liu Bei stood both entranced by the beautiful scene. And gradually along the vast river the wind whipped the waves into snowy foam and raised them high toward heaven. And in the midst of the waves appeared a tiny leaf of a boat riding over the waves as if all was perfect calm. "The northern people are riders and the southern people sailors; it is said quite true," sighed Liu Bei.---Chapter 54---Liu Bei visited the South Land.

• The last night he spent in Jizhou, Cao Cao went to the eastern corner tower and stood there regarding the sky. His only companion was Xun You. Presently Cao Cao said, "That is a very brilliant glow there in the south. It seems too strong for me to do anything there." "What is there that can oppose your heaven-high prestige?" said Xun You.---Chapter 34---The southern awe.