At the beginning of the third century, China was in disorder because of war. Dong Zhuo controlled the Eastern Han Dynasty by holding the emperor in duress, whose imperious and despotic act angered local officials. Hence, Cao Cao persuaded them to go on a punitive expedition against Dong Zhuo. Soon, 18 army troops marched toward Luoyang.

Upon hearing the news, Dong Zhuo sent his adopted son Lu Bu to beat back the enemy with 150,000 soldiers. Lu Bu had been noted for his fierceness and martial talent. With a halbert and on a steed, Lu Bu defeated the rebel officials.

Three sworn brothers, Liu Bei (subsequent King of Shu Kingdom), Guan Yu and Zhang Fei marched forward fight-ing with Lu Bu to save the magistrate Gongsun Zan, who was about to be put to death. From the painting at the western side of Qingyao Pavilion, we can see that the one about to fight was Lu Bu, and the other three generals surrounding him were the three sworn brothers. Black- faced Zhang Fei used a spear, red-faced Guan Yu a falch-ion and Liu Bei a double-edged sword. They drew a tie with Lu Bu after several bouts. However, since they had a numerical edge, Lu Bu appeared to lose in no time. He attempted to escape from the fight, but the three sworn brothers would not let him go and chased him.

After the battle, the eighteenth army troops set up their own regimes. Situ Wangyun ordered the beauty Diao Chan to alienate Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo. Eventually, Lu Bu killed Dong Zhuo and China sank into the chaos of wars.

| The Summer Palace |