Three Kingdoms Questions (You Ask, We Answer)

[Dong Zhou]

Am I wrong in feeling Liu Bei is a tad underrated? I honestly see him as the Vercingetorix to Cao Cao's Caesar, a really great, top tier commander and leader in his own right but going up against an all time great who had the devil's luck. Though the thing that it's hard to get past is that Liu Bei lost A LOT in his early years, but i also kind of grade him as a curve because he started so far behind the other warlords of the era.

Thoughts on my view point?

He is somewhat underatted I think. Not as much as he once was when novel incompetence hanged over him but I do think he is underatted a tad. In some areas (charisma, political wheeling and dealing, use of officers ) he was excellent, in others areas he was good but not great. I wouldn't remotely call him a good or top tier commander as when he finally got forces in equalish footing (ala taking of Yi, Hanzhong, Yi Ling), Liu Bei showed he was a skilled but slow, grinding commander lacking flair that makes a great commander.

[PeanutButterToast]

Why on Earth is Sun Quan said to have a purple beard and green eyes, at least in the novel?

[waywardauthor]

Why on Earth is Sun Quan said to have a purple beard and green eyes, at least in the novel?

Might have been partially mixed race, as there are a couple of people with red hair and colored eyes mentioned. A distinct minority, but not completely unheard of. Red hair can sometimes appear slightly purple, especially if its mixed with black hair.

[solemio]

Sorry for the confusion, his name starts with an "Y" in Japanese input. Yoshimoto was not just unable to fly for his life. He was said to be very bad at riding because he had short legs and thus he move on a sedan.

Here is a question that has haunted me for years. Sun Quan was said to have relatively short legs and so was Yimagawa Yoshimoto. However, the former was a good rider and escaped at Xiaoyaojin, while the latter couldn't ride properly and lost both the battle and his life to Nobunaga. How come?

After reading this a half dozen times I realized you don't mean Yimagawa but Imagawa.

That said, Imagawa Yoshimoto was completely taken by surprise. By the time he realized he was under attack, his tend was undefended, the attackers almost right next to it, and Yoshimoto may have been completely unprepared for battle (no weapon, no armor, definitely no horse). In comparison, Sun Quan was on a horse, he had weapon and armor, and he had a thousand soldiers to defend him and help him escape.

So although Sun Quan's position was threatened, Yoshimoto's was far, far worse.

[greencactaur]

I think I read that Yoshimoto Imagawa was encamped, resting in his tent. I recall also reading that before the ambush happened that his soldiers were making a lot of noise. At the time he stepped out to discipline and yell at his soldiers, but what he found was actually an Ambush. At that point he was already surrounded by 2 generals, he supposedly parried the first attack, but was taken by the second. Not sure if this is factual but its something I read.

[DragonAtma]

I realize this is slightly outside the traditional Three Kingdoms period, but....

From 178 to 181, Dragon Liang rebelled in Jiaozhi, only get get flattened within weeks of Zhu Jun's arrival. Do we have any more details about the rebellion and who else was involved? It'd help have a 184 scenario not be so empty if we tinker with the dates a bit.

[waywardauthor]

I realize this is slightly outside the traditional Three Kingdoms period, but....

From 178 to 181, Dragon Liang rebelled in Jiaozhi, only get get flattened within weeks of Zhu Jun's arrival. Do we have any more details about the rebellion and who else was involved? It'd help have a 184 scenario not be so empty if we tinker with the dates a bit.

There are two others from Rafe's Book of People

Administrator of Cangwu in Jiaozhi province in the late 170s, Chen Shao joined the insurgents lead by Liang Long. The 181 new inspector Zhu Jun arrived on the border with troops. He killed Chen Shao to show his authority and inspired many surrenders among the rebels.

Kong Zhi - Administrator of Nanhai in the late 170s, Kong Zhi joined the rebellion of Liang Long. In 181 the insurgents were destroyed by the inspector Zhu Jun

Zhu Fu, Zhu Jun's son, may have taken part in putting down the rebellion, as he was appointed to lead the place a decade afterwards. He may have served there before taking over. Not as talented as his father though, he disappeared shortly after another rebellion took over. His other son, who also died not long after, may have taken part as he was appointed to a point not too far away.

[DragonAtma]

Aha, thanks!

[plunged]

I realize this is slightly outside the traditional Three Kingdoms period, but....

From 178 to 181, Dragon Liang rebelled in Jiaozhi, only get get flattened within weeks of Zhu Jun's arrival. Do we have any more details about the rebellion and who else was involved? It'd help have a 184 scenario not be so empty if we tinker with the dates a bit.

I collected some bits on that once and put it in one article. Maybe you wanna read it, it's not so big: http://threekingdoms.wikia.com/wiki/Jiaozhi_Rebellion

[DragonAtma]

Ah, that's useful -- especially since it clarifies that the rebellion was in greater jiaozhi (i.e. future jiaozhou) and not jiaozhi commandery.