Synopsis
China's Han dynasty is crumbling. In a peach garden, Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei swear brotherhood and take up arms to save it. But crushing a rebellion only clears the way for warlords.
Cao Cao seizes power at court and conquers the north. Liu Bei survives defeat after defeat. In the south, young Sun Quan inherits a realm he must defend. With strategist Zhuge Liang at his side, Liu Bei seeks an alliance against Cao Cao. At Red Cliffs, their gamble sets the river ablaze and shatters one man's dream of conquest.
Three rival powers emerge. Allies become enemies; brothers fall. Driven by grief, Liu Bei marches to avenge them, only to lose his army to another sea of fire. Zhuge Liang inherits his unfinished cause and leads campaign after campaign north, racing his failing health.
As heroes die and heirs take their places, the wars outlive the men who began them. When China is finally reunited under Jin, those who first drew their swords for peace are long gone.