Romance of Three Kingdoms

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 11:43 am

Romance of Three Kingdoms is a novel "based" upon chinese history. It's a dark time when the ruling emperor is so weak on his ruling ability which later on makes his generals divided and become "Power Brookers", especially when the "Yellow Scarf" revolution rising.

So, besides Weasel and I who have read this interesting novel ? FYI I've seen the films - it contains many series of episode

SPAM if U like but pls stay on the topic if you can

McBane · Post by **McBane** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 11:48 am

I have not read it, but it sounds familiar. Was there an old nintendo game of the same name? IIRC, it was based on conquering China and may have been the same thing....(I only played it a few times, as I prefered Genghis Khan back in those days...)

Which would you recommend the book or the movie?

Baldursgate Fan · Post by **Baldursgate Fan** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 11:55 am

Originally posted by KidD01
Romance of Three Kingdoms is a novel "based" upon chinese history. It's a dark time when the ruling emperor is so weak on his ruling ability which later on makes his generals divided and become "Power Brookers", especially when the "Yellow Scarf" revolution rising.

So, besides Weasel and I who have read this interesting novel ? FYI I've seen the films - it contains many series of episode

SPAM if U like but pls stay on the topic if you can

I have read the novel (in Chinese), watched the movies (Taiwan and China made) and played the KOEI versioin of the game. I have yet to discuss it in a forum - until now

Good call kid01.

Very nice.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 12:07 pm

Originally posted by McBane
I have not read it, but it sounds familiar. Was there an old nintendo game of the same name? IIRC, it was based on conquering China and may have been the same thing....(I only played it a few times, as I prefered Genghis Khan back in those days...)

Which would you recommend the book or the movie?

The first and second game was for the NES. Three and four was on the SNES, five never made it to the US, and six is for the Playstation. Seven looks to be out in the US in July, for the Playstation 2.

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 12:13 pm

I read it, and played the first three releases of the SNES port to PC by KOEI, manufacturers of the game.

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 12:29 pm

Originally posted by McBane
I have not read it, but it sounds familiar. Was there an old nintendo game of the same name? IIRC, it was based on conquering China and may have been the same thing....(I only played it a few times, as I prefered Genghis Khan back in those days...)

Which would you recommend the book or the movie?

Romance of Three Kingdoms or RTK games were masde by KOEI which released Genghis Khan, Genghis Khan 2 : Clan of Grey Wolves, Nobunaga Ambition 1 & 2.

RTK 1 & 2 also avaliable on PC back on EGA graphic days IIRC, and so RTK 3 & 4 (I don't want to break any rule so if any of you want to know details of RTK PC games, U can PM me

)

As for your question, it's all depends. If you like to read books you can try to find it at Barnes and Noble or other online bookstore. Be careful though since some RTK novels being translated that the chars name are named in English, which make it loosing the real RTK touch. Well, Weasel got the novel sometime ago -perhaps you should ask him if you want to purchase it. U should remind you that the novels are quite thick. FYI I've got the local published one and it consist of 4 books, each as thick as Bible

As for RTK movie, I've seen them on my local channel when they aired it. When I visit Singapore on a business trip I've seen it being sold in VCD format IIRC it have 20 CDs (my colegue bought them

) The movie got great colosal war scene, but I doubt if it got English subtitle since the seller said it's on Chinese language.

I encountered a site which have translated RTK novel, sadly they rename the chars into English - which make it loosing the RTK ground

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 1:21 pm

RTK general summary

Generally RTK story flows around the forming of 3 countries : Han, Su and Wei.

The characters are :
Chao Chao (considered to be the evil villain character)
The 3 sworn brothers :
Liu Bei
Guan Yu
Zang Fei
The fabled tactical & army advisor : "Crouching Dragon" or "Sleeping Dragon" Zuge Liang

The 3 Kingdoms idea was Zuge Liang idea by looking at an Incense pot which got 3 feet. The general idea is to achieve balance, the mainland China shall be controlled by 3 powers or divided into 3 countries - which causing the birth of Han, Su, and Wei countries.

For those who planned to read this novel, since it also contains phylosophycal matter - I suggest you take the postive ones than negative ones. For instance if you read the whole thing and took Chao Chao as example in your life - you'll become the most manipulative and power hungry person, since Chao Chao took power using a very manipulative ways, then he reign with his power to intimidate his subordinates.

Any thoughts on the characters ?

<EDIT>*YAWN* I'm out for today.....keep on SPAMming guys !

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 3:48 pm

"I would rather betray the world, than let the world betray me"

~Cao Cao~

This is the translated name of Chao Chao.

K0r/\/f1@k€$ · Post by **K0r/\/f1@k€$** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 4:30 pm

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Kid01
For instance if you read the whole thing and took Chao Chao as example in your life - you'll become the most manipulative and power hungry person, since Chao Chao took power using a very manipulative ways, then he reign with his power to intimidate his subordinates./QUOTE]

And you're saying Weasel has read this book?! With his signature I think we're all in for a spot of trouble

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Mon Apr 15, 2002 4:51 pm

Originally posted by K0r/\/f1@k€$

And you're saying Weasel has read this book?! With his signature I think we're all in for a spot of trouble

Chao Chao could had did so much good. But the lack of trust on his part doom a lot of people to death.

The Chicken Rib incident.

There was an advisor, who all claimed might surpass the "Hidden Dragon" and Chao Chao by luck ended up with him in his service. He lacked the will to let others faults lie low and instead told Chao Chao to his face. Chao being the person he was, killed this advisor.

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 10:48 am

@Kornie : As you can see from Weasels reply, he has read it all

BTW Weasel besides the "Hidden Dragon" aka "Sleeping Dragon" Zuge Liang, Liu Bei also acquire another excellent advisor. Sadly I forbot the title..it's something about "Phoenix"

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 10:54 am

Originally posted by KidD01
@Kornie : As you can see from Weasels reply, he has read it all

BTW Weasel besides the "Hidden Dragon" aka "Sleeping Dragon" Zuge Liang, Liu Bei also acquire another excellent advisor. Sadly I forbot the title..it's something about "Phoenix"

Phoenix Chicken I believe (Pang Tong, US Translation). Sadly he was killed young, in a ambush (arrow attack I believe).

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 11:03 am

Indeed, Liu Bei considered to be the luckiest man since he has "The Dargon & Phoenix" in his possesion. Too bad Pang Tong died, the worst is Zuge have foresee his demise and could not do a thing about it. Such a tragic fate for a high talented man

Baldursgate Fan · Post by **Baldursgate Fan** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 11:23 am

Originally posted by Weasel

Phoenix Chicken I believe (Pang Tong, US Translation). Sadly he was killed young, in a ambush (arrow attack I believe).

I append an attachment of the present day view of hillside of the fallen phoenix, the place where Pang Tong was ambushed and shot to death by Zhang Ren's archers.

Great historical site.

humanflyz · Post by **humanflyz** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 4:24 pm

can anyone recommend a good English translation of the book? I've read the book in Chinese and so far I haven't found any good translation of the book.

josh · Post by **josh** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 4:31 pm

My dad just borrowed the complete set of episodes of RTK from a friend. I'll be sure to watch it but it may take some time. The set has around 40 or so episodes.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 5:32 pm

Originally posted by humanflyz
can anyone recommend a good English translation of the book? I've read the book in Chinese and so far I haven't found any good translation of the book.

Good? Not me. Sadly, I acquired an anonymous translation a couple of years while up in Boston, published by the so-called People's Republic of China. I've no idea whether it's good or bad.

humanflyz · Post by **humanflyz** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 9:14 pm

yeah, I think my request is sort of difficult since I spent the first twelve years of my life in China. Therefore I can read fluently and appreicate a lot of the subtleties, play on words, historical backgrounds, etc that may be left out in translations. Maybe someone who read Chinese fluently can recommend a good translation.

crazymancometh · Post by **crazymancometh** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 10:37 pm

ROTK is A Classic among Classic of video games From Liu Bei alway down to Dong Ren <think hes like bigheaded and sucky in everything> the characters grow on you...destiny of an emperor also deals with the the three kindoms on regulkar nes...this is not koei but is a classic play it if you can...Just Dont Do Like Weasel And get Stick in same place for 5 years lol...think capcom made the game am almost sure...Weasel can verify it......But this is best topic Ive seen here....Long Live Sun Ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee And Zhou Yu

Baldursgate Fan · Post by **Baldursgate Fan** » Tue Apr 16, 2002 11:16 pm

Originally posted by humanflyz
yeah, I think my request is sort of difficult since I spent the first twelve years of my life in China. Therefore I can read fluently and appreicate a lot of the subtleties, play on words, historical backgrounds, etc that may be left out in translations. Maybe someone who read Chinese fluently can recommend a good translation.

The best translation I have read is from C. H. Brewitt-Taylor. You can get the hard cover and paper back versions from Amazon. FWIW, there is an enthusiastic review of the book in the "customer reviews" section. I got my copy from Amazon. I have been reading an earlier version since 1985 and even used it for my examination as a cross reference - it's literary value is as close to the spirit and letter of the Chinese text as you can get.

@Fable

Sorry to hear that you have an annonymous version. Any translation from China, and I am being kind, tends to be too literal and prone to typos, grammatical errors and outright horrendous English. Sadly, publishing houses in China have yet to come up with stringent editing standards like those in the west and writers' works are mostly published "as is".