Portal Three Kingdoms/Storyline

The storyline of Portal Three Kingdoms is set in the turbulent years in China towards the end of the Han dynasty and during the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, starting in 184 AD and ending with the reunification of the land in 280 AD.

Summary
The Empire long divided must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been So begins China's epic drama Three Kingdoms: A Historical Novel. Written in the 15th Century and attributed to Luo Guanzhong, Three Kingdoms illuminates a pivotal 200-year stretch of Chinese history.

This tumultuous, gripping tale begins in 184 A.D., near the end of the Han Dynasty. The Empire, threatened by corruption, regional warlords, and the Yellow Scarves revolt, was beginning to splinter into three rival kingdoms. To the north lay the Wei kingdom, led by the cunning, ruthless, and ingenious Cao Cao. As regent, he ruled by "protecting" the child Emperor and keeping him subservient to his demands. To the south lay the Wu kingdom, led by the wise Sun Quan. He fostered many talented advisors and generals, including the brilliant Zhou Yu. To the west lay the Shu kingdom, ruled by the noble and virtuous Liu Bei, a distant relative of the Emperor. Liu Bei was advised by a Taoist sage and master strategist, Kongming, who could predict an enemy's actions years in advance. Liu Bei's strength was also bolstered by his two oath-brothers, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu. Zhang Fei was the fiercest warrior in all of China, and Guan Yu is worshiped to this day as one of the true heroes of the realm.

Countless soldiers fought during this turbulent period of dynastic change. Over 800,000 died at the pivotal battle of Red Cliffs alone.

The real events and famous people of the Three Kingdoms period have fascinated millions for centuries and have formed the basis of countless plays, operas, and folk tales throughout Asia. The story also illuminates the nature of power, the importance of diplomacy, and the intricacies of war. To understand the Three Kingdoms' story is to begin to understand China.

Timeline

 * 184: The Yellow Scarves Rebellion starts, a peasant revolt against Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han dynasty.
 * The Peach Garden Oath sworn by Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fe to fight the Yellow Scarves.
 * 189: Dong Zhou seizes power and places the eight year old Xian of Han on the throne.
 * Cao Cao attempts to assassinate Dong Zhou with a jeweled knife.
 * 192: Lu Bu kills Dong Zhou.
 * 195: Cao Cao assumes "protection" of emperor Xian.
 * 198 / 199 Battle of Xiapi fought between the forces of Lü Bu against the allied armies of Cao Cao and Liu Bei.
 * Lü Bu surrenders.
 * 200: Cao Cao captures Guan Yu.
 * Sun Quan succeeds Sun Ce.
 * Cao Cao defeats Yuan Shao.
 * 202: Battle of Xinye: Liu Bei defeats Cao Cao.
 * 207: Liu Bei meets Kongming.
 * 208: Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Cao is defeated by Sun Quan and Liu Bei.
 * Battle of Hefei.
 * 209: Liu Bei occupies Jingzhou.
 * 210: Zhou Yu dies.
 * 214: Liu Bei takes control of the Riverlands.
 * 215: Cao Cao captures Hanzhong.
 * 217: Cao Cao defeats Sun Quan at Hefei.
 * Sun Quan defeats Cao Cao In the Battle of Ruxu.
 * 219: Battle of Fancheng. Liu Bei's general Guan Yu attacks north.
 * Sun Quan takes Jingzhou.
 * 220: Guan Yu is executed by Sun Quan.
 * 221: Liu Bei proclaims himself emperor and establishes the Shu kingdom.
 * Zhang Fei is assassinated.
 * 222: Lu Xun of Wu defeats Liu Bei at the Battle of Xiaoting. Wu declares formal independence.
 * 223: Liu Bei dies.
 * 225: Kongming defeats the southern barbarian Meng Huo.
 * 228: Battle of Jieting. A decisive victory for Wei against the Shu.
 * 234: Kongming dies.
 * 249: Sima Yi takes control of Wei.
 * 251: Sima Yi dies.
 * 252: Sun Quan dies.
 * 263: Deng Ai and Zhong Hui attack Shu. Shu surrenders to Wei.
 * 280: Wu surrenders to Wei.
 * Sima clan reunites the empire as the Jin Dynasty