The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 34

The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 34:

Behind The Screen, Lady Cai Overhears A Secret;

Across The Tan Torrent, The Dilu Horse Carries Its Master.

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WARNING! THE POPCORN YOU ARE EATING HAS BEEN PISSED IN. FILM AT ELEVEN. :p

Just checking to make sure you're paying attention.

Okay, now that I got the joking around out of the way, it's time for the commentary for Chapter 34. Cao Cao's subdued the north, and now he sets his eyes towards the south, the lands below the Great River, where dwell Liu Biao and Sun Quan. And, did I mention, Liu Bei? Yes, indeed, Liu Bei fled a few chapters ago to Liu Biao during the debacle at Guan Du. Now Liu Bei and his underlings might possibly be the finest officers Liu Biao's got, excepting, of course, Wei Yan and Huang Zhong, who have yet to be introduced into the story.

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The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 31

The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 31:

Cao Cao Overcomes Yuan Shao In Cangting;

Liu Bei Seeks Shelter With Liu Biao In Jingzhou.

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WARNING: THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. BUT YOU WANT TO READ IT ANYWAY, BECAUSE MY WORDS JUST, YOU KNOW, LIKE, HYPNOTIZE PEOPLE AND SHIT...

And here it is. Come one, come all, and listen to Chapter 31 of the Sanguo Yanyi, I know it's a bit late (I blame Daylight Standard Time. :p), but nonetheless, better late than never.

So the first quarter of the story was pretty much building up to the great Battle of Guan Du. Now that Guan Du is over (almost), the focus of the story begins to shift, rather, to the south, where two strong powers stand poised in control of the lands below the Yangtze River. Sun Quan, newly ascended to the office held by his Brother Sun Ce, and his father Sun Jian before that, controls the southeast with a strong and well-trained army. In Jingzhou, Liu Biao, a member of the Imperial Family, holds the office of Imperial Protector (Governor, pretty much). He also has an army of decent size, and capable officers such as Cai Mao, Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, Wen Ping, Wei Yan, Gan Ning, Huang Zhong, and Yi Ji, to name but a few.

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The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 23

The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 23:

Mi Heng Slips His Garment And Rails At Traitors;

Ji Ping Pledges To Kill The Prime Minister.

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WARNING: THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!

In previous chapters, we've seen Liu Bei join a conspiracy to assassinate Cao Cao, and then fly the coop known as Imperial Xuchang at the very first opportunity, cleverly taking control of part of Cao Cao's army in the process. Thus far, things don't seem to be going very well for Cao Cao.

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The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 18

The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 18:

Giving Counsels, Jia Xu Directs A Great Victory;

Braving the Battlefield, Xiahou Dun Loses An Eye.

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WARNING: THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

Cao Cao, having once again gone west to deal with Zhang Xiu, is engaged in a duel of strategy against Jia Xu. Unfortunately for Cao Cao, Jia Xu is every bit as good a strategist as he himself is.

Several chapters ago, Liu Biao was introduced into the novel, as an opponent to Sun Jian, who had been returning home, Imperial Hereditary Seal in his possession, after leaving the failed Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition. Now, Liu Biao is back, this time working with Zhang Xiu to help bring Cao Cao up short.

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The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 7

The Sanguo Yanyi - Chapter 7:

Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun Zan At The River Pan;

Sun Jian Attacks Liu Biao Across The Great River.

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WARNING: BLAH BLAH BLAH 'SPOILERS' YADDA YADDA!

All right, Warlords of the Han! There aren't really any rules to this contest, so gather up your generals and your soldiers and go to your corners. When the bell rings, it's time to fight with everything you've got! First matchup: Yuan Shao vs. Gongsun Zan! Ding ding!

In all seriousness, Chapter 7 is an important chapter because it really sets the tone for things to come. The Feudal Lords are no longer interested in expending their resources in attempting to free the rightful Son of Heaven from the clutches of Dong Zhuo. Not when they're all ready to devour each other instead.

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