# Three Kingdoms (TV series)

Three Kingdoms is a 2010 Chinese television series based on the events in the late Eastern Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. The plot is adapted from the 14th century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and other stories about the Three Kingdoms period. Directed by Gao Xixi, the series had a budget of over 160 million RMB (US$30 million) and took five years of pre-production work. Shooting of the series commenced in October 2008, and it was released in China in May 2010.
Three Kingdoms set a record as the most expensive small screen series in China's television history at the time, having been sold to four regional TV broadcasters at the price of 160 million yuan. It was sold to over 20 countries, earning an estimated 800 million RMB (US$133.3 million) in total as of May 2012.

## List of episodes

| # | English title | Original title |
| 1 | To eliminate a traitor, Cao Cao presents a precious sword | 除国贼曹公献宝刀 |
| 2 | Chen Gong releases Cao Cao in righteousness | 陈宫申正义释曹操 |
| 3 | Cao Cao kills Lü Boshe by mistake | 曹操疑错杀吕伯奢 |
| 4 | Guan Yu slays Hua Xiong while the wine is still warm | 关云长温酒斩华雄 |
| 5 | Battle of Hulao - The three heroes fight Lü Bu | 破虎牢三英战吕布 |
| 6 | Sun Jian gains the Imperial Jade Seal | 孙坚得传国玉玺 |
| 7 | Sun Jian's death at Sanjin Ford | 三津渡孙文台殒命 |
| 8 | Wang Yun plans the Chain-Linked Strategy | 王司徒巧设连环计 |
| 9 | Father and son turn hostile at Fengyi Pavilion | 凤仪亭父子挑兵戈 |
| 10 | Lü Bu kills Dong Zhuo | 反间计吕布诛董卓 |
| 11 | Tao Qian offers Xu Province thrice | 陶恭祖三让徐州城 |
| 12 | Lü Bu is defeated in battle and seeks shelter under Liu Bei | 吕奉先战败投刘备 |
| 13 | Cao Cao saves the emperor and controls the warlords | 曹孟德救驾令诸侯 |
| 14 | Lü Bu stages a night raid on Xu Province | 吕奉先趁夜袭徐郡 |
| 15 | Lü Bu shoots an arrow through a halberd | 吕奉先辕门射画戟 |
| 16 | Cao Cao defeats Yuan Shu in battle | 曹孟德举兵败袁术 |
| 17 | Lü Bu falls for Cao Cao's trick and loses Xu Province | 中曹计吕布失徐州 |
| 18 | Lü Bu meets his end at White Gate Tower | 白门楼奉先赴黄泉 |
| 19 | Liu Bei receives an imperial decree and swears to destroy Cao Cao | 刘皇叔奉旨誓灭曹 |
| 20 | Cao Cao discusses about heroes over drinks | 曹孟德煮酒论英雄 |
| 21 | Yuan Shao and Cao Cao mobilise their armies | 袁曹各起马步三军 |
| 22 | Liu Bei is defeated and seeks shelter under Yuan Shao | 刘玄德战败投袁绍 |
| 23 | Guan Yu surrenders to Cao Cao on three conditions | 关云长降曹约三事 |
| 24 | Yuan Shao loses troops and commanders | 袁本初败兵又折将 |
| 25 | Guan Yu's lone journey over a thousand li | 美髯公千里走单骑 |
| 26 | Reunion at Gucheng | 会古城主臣聚大义 |
| 27 | Yuan Shao suffers defeats at Guandu | 战官渡袁本初败绩 |
| 28 | Xu You betrays his lord and joins Cao Cao | 许子远叛主投曹操 |
| 29 | Cao Cao burns the supply depot at Wuchao | 曹孟德劫粮烧乌巢 |
| 30 | Liu Bei garrisons an army at Xinye | 刘备屯兵新野 |
| 31 | Liu Bei's horse leaps across the Tan Stream | 刘皇叔跃马过檀溪 |
| 32 | Xu Shu turns back to recommend Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei | 徐元直走马荐诸葛 |
| 33 | Liu Bei visits Zhuge Liang thrice | 刘玄德三顾请诸葛 |
| 34 | Sun Ce passes on his legacy to Sun Quan | 孙策传位孙权 |
| 35 | Zhuge Liang deploys troops at an early stage | 诸葛亮初用兵 |
| 36 | Zhao Yun fights at Changban | 赵子龙血战长坂坡 |
| 37 | Zhuge Liang argues with the scholars | 诸葛孔明舌战群儒 |
| 38 | Zhuge Liang instigates Zhou Yu to resist Cao Cao | 抗曹操孔明激周瑜 |
| 39 | Jiang Gan steals a letter after a ceremony | 群英会蒋子翼盗书 |
| 40 | Zhuge Liang borrows arrows with straw boats | 诸葛孔明草船借箭 |
| 41 | Zhou Yu defeats Cao Cao at Red Cliff | 周公瑾赤壁破曹操 |
| 42 | Guan Yu spares Cao Cao at Huarong Trail | 关云长华容放曹操 |
| 43 | Sima Yi serves Cao Cao | 司马懿出山助曹操 |
| 44 | Cao Cao scares away Ma Teng of Western Liang | 曹操吓退西凉马腾 |
| 45 | Cao Cao loses his beloved son Cao Chong | 曹操痛失爱子曹冲 |
| 46 | Zhou Yu prepares to attack Jing Province | 夺荆州周公瑾发兵 |
| 47 | The forces of Cao, Sun and Liu battle for Nan Commandery | 曹孙刘三军战南郡 |
| 48 | Zhou Yu returns to Chaisang in unhappiness | 周公瑾赌气归柴桑 |
| 49 | Zhao Yun captures Guiyang | 赵子龙计取桂阳城 |
| 50 | Guan Yu fights at Changsha and recruits Huang Zhong and Wei Yan | 战长沙关羽收黄魏 |
| 51 | Lu Su comes twice to ask for Jing Province | 鲁子敬二度索荆州 |
| 52 | Liu Bei travels to Wu for a marriage | 刘备赴吴娶亲 |
| 53 | Sun Quan is angered by Zhou Yu | 孙权被周瑜激怒 |
| 54 | Lady Sun and Liu Bei are wed | 孙小妹刘备成亲 |
| 55 | Liu Bei returns to Jing Province | 刘备智返荆州 |
| 56 | Zhuge Liang infuriates Zhou Yu thrice | 诸葛亮三气周瑜 |
| 57 | Zhou Yu is defeated and dies with regret | 周瑜兵败抱憾而亡 |
| 58 | Zhuge Liang mourns Zhou Yu | 诸葛亮痛哭祭周瑜 |
| 59 | Cao Cao hosts a banquet at the Bronze Sparrow Platform | 曹操大宴铜雀台 |
| 60 | Ma Teng enters the capital | 西凉统领马腾进京 |
| 61 | Ma Teng is killed after falling into an ambush | 马腾中埋伏被杀 |
| 62 | Xu Chu fights Ma Chao | 许褚斗马超 |
| 63 | Zhang Song is humiliated but is later well received by Liu Bei | 张松受辱刘备相迎 |
| 64 | Zhang Song presents a map; Liu Bei enters southwest China | 张松献图玄德入川 |
| 65 | Wei Yan performs a sword dance, his target is Liu Zhang | 魏延舞剑意在刘璋 |
| 66 | Pang Tong's demise at Fallen Phoenix Slope | 庞统身死落凤坡 |
| 67 | Ma Chao pledges allegiance to Liu Bei | 马超誓效刘皇叔 |
| 68 | Guan Yu attends a feast alone and armed with only a blade | 关云长单刀赴会 |
| 69 | Huang Zhong conquers Hanzhong | 黄忠攻破汉中 |
| 70 | Cao Cao executes Yang Xiu at Mount Dingjun | 定军山曹操杀杨修 |
| 71 | Guan Yu's poison arrow wound is cured | 关羽刮骨疗毒 |
| 72 | Guan Yu commits suicide at Maicheng | 关羽麦城悲壮自刎 |
| 73 | Cao Cao's final wish and death | 传遗命曹操气数终 |
| 74 | Cao Pi forces Cao Zhi to compose the Seven Steps Poem | 兄逼弟曹植七步诗 |
| 75 | Emperor Xian receives two imperial edicts and abdicates in Cao Pi's favour | 汉献帝两诏禅曹丕 |
| 76 | Emperor Xian commits suicide; Liu Bei establishes Shu | 献帝自杀刘备建蜀 |
| 77 | Zhang Fei dies in his eagerness to avenge his brother | 急兄仇张翼德殒命 |
| 78 | Liu Bei launches a campaign against Eastern Wu | 刘玄德兴兵征东吴 |
| 79 | Sun Quan submits to Wei | 孙权降魏 |
| 80 | Huang Zhong is killed in battle | 黄忠战死 |
| 81 | Lu Xun sets aflame Liu Bei's linked camps over 700 li | 陆伯言营烧七百里 |
| 82 | Liu Bei entrusts his son at Baidicheng | 刘先主白帝城托孤 |
| 83 | Zhuge Liang calmly holds off five enemy forces | 诸葛亮安居平五路 |
| 84 | Zhuge Liang writes the Chu Shi Biao | 诸葛拟出师表 |
| 85 | Zhuge Liang prepares for the Northern Campaigns | 诸葛亮北伐大兴师 |
| 86 | Ma Su refuses to accept advice and loses Jieting | 马幼常拒谏失街亭 |
| 87 | Zhuge Liang's Empty Fort Strategy backs off Sima Yi's troops | 诸葛孔明空城退敌 |
| 88 | Zhao Yun bids the world farewell | 赵云辞世 |
| 89 | Zhuge Liang defeats Sima Yi | 诸葛亮大破司马懿 |
| 90 | Zhuge Liang eliminates Cao Zhen with a wise plan | 诸葛亮妙计除曹真 |
| 91 | Zhuge Liang takes Chencang by strategy | 诸葛亮计破陈仓城 |
| 92 | Zhuge Liang sends a letter to ridicule Sima Yi | 诸葛孔明下书辱司马 |
| 93 | Sima Yi is saved by a downpour at Shangfang Valley | 上方谷大雨救司马 |
| 94 | The chancellor's death at Wuzhang Plains | 五丈原汉丞相归天 |
| 95 | Sima Yi fakes illness and takes control of Wei | 司马懿诈病掌朝政 |

## Cast
### Main

* Chen Jianbin as Cao Cao
* Yu Hewei as Liu Bei
* Lu Yi as Zhuge Liang
* Yu Rongguang as Guan Yu
* Kang Kai as Zhang Fei
* Nie Yuan as Zhao Yun
* Ni Dahong as Sima Yi
* Yu Bin as Cao Pi
* Luo Jin as Liu Xie (Emperor Xian)
** Xiaodingge as Liu Xie (child)
* Lü Xiaohe as Dong Zhuo
* Peter Ho as Lü Bu
* Chen Hao as Diaochan
* Zhang Bo as Sun Quan
** Zheng Wei as Sun Quan (child)
* Ruby Lin as Lady Sun
* Victor Huang as Zhou Yu
* Sha Yi as Sun Ce
* Liu Jing as Daqiao
* Zhao Ke as Xiaoqiao

### Supporting

    Sorted by role in alphabetical order
* Li Li as Bao Long
* Bai Yu as Lady Bian
* Cao Xiwen as Lady Cai (Liu Biao's wife)
* Li Fangyao as Cai He
* Liu Dan as Cai Mao
* Hu Zi as Cai Yang
* Guo Miaoxin as Cai Zhong
* Liu Zijiao as Empress Cao
* Zhao Lei as Cao Bao
* An-Peng Zeyu as Cao Chong
* Li Daiqing as Cao Hong
* Yuan Shaoxiong as Cao Fang
* Yang Guang as Cao Ren
* Yang Demin as Cao Rui
* Xia Tian as Cao Shuang
* Guo Jiyun as Cao Song
* Li Gen as Cao Zhang
* Zhao Jin as Cao Zhen
* Li Jichun as Cao Zhi
* Wang Jinjun as Cheng Dekou
* Shang Yue as Chen Deng
* Sun Hongtao as Chen Gong
* Lu Jidong as Chen Gui
* Sun Hai as Chen Qun
* Ding Xiaonan as Chen Ying
* Zhong Minghe as Cheng Pu
* Jiang Changyi as Cheng Yu
* Cao Zhanjun as Cui Zhouping
* Jiang Yi as Ding Feng
* Bai Hui as Consort Dong
* Gao Baosong as Dong Cheng
* Yang Chuanxi as Dong Zhao
* Zhang Xinhua as Fa Zheng
* Piao Lan as Lady Fan
* Dong Zhiyong as Fan Qiang
* Wang Daosheng as Fu Jun
* Tang Zidi as Lady Gan
* Xia Xiaolong as Gan Ning
* Chen Gang as Gao Xiang
* Wang Baogang as Gongsun Zan
* Fan Jinlun as Guan Ping
* Wei Zhi as Guan Xing
* Wang Di as Empress Guo
* Zhang Ge as Guo Huai
* Wang Jinxin as Guo Jia
* Gong Zhixi as Guo Si
* Han Zhenguo as Guo Tu
* Liu Jun as Han Dang
* Jiao Zhiqiang as Han Fu
* Hu Sha as Han Sui
* Ying Qiang as Han Xuan
* Qin Fanxiang as Hao Zhao
* Cai Jun as Hua Tuo
* Zhang Xiqian as Hua Xin
* Ding Xiaonan as Hua Xiong
* Liu Kui as Huang Gai
* Zhao Xu as Huang Kui
* Sun Wanqing as Huang Quan
* Song Laiyun as Huang Zhong
* Ren Xuehai as Ji Ping
* Chen Fusheng as Ji Ling
* Liao Weili as Jia Hua
* Li Muge as Jiang Gan
* Ye Peng as Jiang Wei
* Li Yixiao as Jingshu
* Bai Hailong as Kong Xiu
* Er Hou as Kong You
* Cao Guoxin as Li Dian
* Ge Youyuan as Li Feng
* Sen Zhixue as Li Jue
* Song Chongdong as Li Ru
* Deng Liming as Li Yan
* Ji Chenggong as Liu Biao
* Qiu Shuang as Liu Cong
* Xu Xiao as Liu Dai
* Wang Shigui as Liu Du
* Fan Guan as Liu Qi
* Wang Peng as Liu Shan
* Yang Tong as Liu Xian
* Li Yuemin as Liu Zhang
* Jia Xiang as Lu Ji
* Huo Qing as Lu Su
* Shao Feng as Lu Xun
* Zhao Bingkui as Lü Boshe
* Jerry Chang Lu Feng as Lü Meng
* Chen Yilin as Ma Chao
* Xia Tian as Ma Dai
* Guan Ziqian as Ma Liang
* Zheng Shiming as Ma Su
* Ning Sheng as Ma Teng
* Shang Yisha as Lady Mi
* Hong Pangzi as Mi Fang
* Wu Qiong as Miao Ze
* Da Lin as Niu Jin
* Han Lei as Pan Zhang
* Tian Xiang as Pang De
* Chen Houxing as Pang Ji
* Du Xudong as Pang Tong
* Fan Shide as Pujing
* Xue Xiaolong as Two Qiaos' father
* Pu Youwei as Qin Lang
* Ding Dong as Qin Qingtong
* Dai Qiwen as Shen Yi
* Wang Shijun as Sima Hui
* Zhao Dacheng as Sima Shi
* Miao Yaning as Sima Yan
* Liu Guoguang as Sima Zhao
* Ji Aojun as Sun Huan
* Fan Yulin as Sun Jian
* Li Yatian as Sun Li
* Yang Rui as Sun Qian
* Zhao Xuan as Tao Gongyi
* Tong Han as Tao Qian
* Xu Tao as Tian Feng
* Liu Bingyu as Wang Lang
* Wang Huan as Wang Ping
* Zheng Tianyong as Wang Yun
* Wang Xinjun as Wei Yan
* Wang Mengchuan as Wen Chou
* Kang Qunzhi as Lady Wu
* Wang Maolei as Wu Zhi
* Hu Chunyong as Xiahou Ba
* Li Mengcheng as Xiahou Dun
* Li Qilong as Xiahou Yuan
* Liu Ganhan as Xiang Jun
* Wang Wentao as Xing Daorong
* Guo Tao as Xu Chu
* Chen Wei as Xu Huang
* Sun Yan as Xu Sheng
* Yao Gang as Xu Shu
* Hai Yan as Xu Shu's mother
* Xu Maomao as Xu You
* Yang Rui as Xue Zong
* Shao Yueheng as Xun An
* Li Jianxin as Xun Yu
* Zhang Qifu as Yan Jun
* Li Xu as Yan Liang
* Li Xu as Yan Yan
* Li Xiaowei as Yang Ling
* Lu Dongfu as Yang Song
* Jin Yi as Yang Xiu
* Chen Shanshan as Yang Yi
* Qi Huai as Yu Fan
* Wu Kegang as Yu Jin
* Han Wenliang as Yuan Shang
* Xu Wenguang as Yuan Shao
* Yan Pei as Yuan Shu
* Liu Long as Yuan Tan
* Lan Tian as Yuan Xi
* Bu Sisi as Yunying
* Cai Jin as Zhang Bao
* Tan Jianchang as Zhang He
* Cheng Xiangyin as Zhang Liao
* Li Daguang as Zhang Lu
* Lu Lu as Zhang Ren
* Liu Yajin as Zhang Song
* Chen Xinhua as Zhang Su
* Chen Bing as Zhang Wen
* Zhao Qiusheng as Zhang Yi
* Shen Jie as Zhang Zhao
* Wang Guogang as Zhao Fan
* Li Hua as Zhong Yao
* Zhang Jiaoyang as Zhou Cang
* Zhao Shuijing as Zhou Shan
* Hou Jie as Zhou Tai
* Zhu Lei as Zhu Ran
* Cao Yi as Zhuge Jin
* Ru Xiaobin as Zhuge Jun
* Chao Fan as Zu Mao

### Replaced cast

* Jiang Wen was originally cast as Cao Cao but he abandoned the role after two directors quit the project; he eventually portrayed Cao Cao in the 2011 film The Lost Bladesman. Soon afterwards, Tang Guoqiang, who previously portrayed Zhuge Liang in Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1994), asked for the role, but it had already been reassigned to Chen Jianbin by then.
* Ken Watanabe asked director Gao Xixi for the role of Guan Yu. Gao reportedly was unable to meet Watanabe's request for a salary of 30-40 million yuan, and was forced to turn him away. The role eventually went to Yu Rongguang, who had previously appeared as Han De in the 2008 film Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon.

## Critical reception

The series was a commercial success in China and dominated ratings, but has received a mixed reception and caused controversy among critics and fans, with many commenting that the series deviated significantly not only from Romance of the Three Kingdoms but also historical records. The series was criticized for prioritizing commercial entertainment over research and understanding of the novel and history and creating plot holes in its reinterpretation. While some publications praised the producers' willingness to rewrite the events of the novel and reinterpret familiar characters, others criticize the writing and editing for being sluggish, superfluous and puerile, questioning some of the character and story reinterpretations, and using clichés from other Chinese gongdou (inner palace intrigue) and romantic soap dramas to be eye-catching while losing the solemnity and dignity of the original source material.

## Soundtrack

| # | Track title | Credits | Notes |
| 1 | 还我一个太平天下 (pinyin: Huán Wǒ Yī Gè Tài Píng Tiān Xià) (translation: Give Me Back A World At Peace) | Composed by Zhao Jiping; lyrics by Yi Ming; performed by Liao Changyong | Opening theme song |
| 2 | 英雄往来天地间 (pinyin: Yīng Xióng Wǎng Lái Tiān Dì Jiān) (translation: Heroes Cross Heaven And Earth) | Composed by Zhao Jiping; lyrics by Yi Ming; performed by Tan Jing | Ending theme song |
| 3 | 天地莽苍苍 (pinyin: Tiān Dì Mǎng Cāng Cāng) (translation: A Blurry World) | Composed by Zhao Jiping; lyrics by Yi Ming; performed by Tang Can | Ending theme song |
| 4 | 貂婵歌 (pinyin: Diāo Chán Gē) (translation: Diaochan's Song) | Composed by Zhao Jiping; lyrics by Luo Guanzhong; performed by Chen Hao | |
| 5 | 爱无痕 (pinyin: Ài Wú Hén) (translation: Love Without A Trace) | Composed by Hu Li; lyrics by Shi Donghui and Hu Li; performed by Deng Tianqing | |
| 6 | 不枉 (pinyin: Bù Wǎng) (translation: Not in Vain) | Composed by Tang Chi-wai; lyrics by Sandy Chang; performed by Super 4 | Opening theme song (Hong Kong version) |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Recipient |
| 2010 | Shanghai Television Festival | Best Television Series (Silver Award) | Three Kingdoms |
| 2010 | China TV Drama Awards | Best Television Series | Three Kingdoms |
| 2010 | China TV Drama Awards | Most Popular Television Series | Three Kingdoms |
| 2010 | China TV Drama Awards | Best Director | Gao Xixi |
| 2010 | China TV Drama Awards | Best Screenwriter | Zhu Sujin |
| 2010 | China TV Drama Awards | Television Figure of the Year | Chen Jianbin |
| 2011 | Seoul International Drama Awards | Grand Prize | Three Kingdoms |
| 2011 | Seoul International Drama Awards | Best Actor | Chen Jianbin |
| 2011 | International Drama Festival in Tokyo | Special Award for Foreign Drama | Three Kingdoms |
| 2011 | 45th Houston International Film Festival | Grand Remi Award | Three Kingdoms |

## International broadcast

| Region | Network | Dates | Timings |
| Mainland China | Anhui TV | 2 May 2010 – 14 June 2010 | 19:35 daily |
| Mainland China | Jiangsu TV | 2 May 2010 – 14 June 2010 | 19:30 daily |
| Mainland China | Chongqing TV | 2 May 2010 – 14 June 2010 | 19:36 daily |
| Mainland China | Tianjin TV | 2 May 2010 – 14 June 2010 | 19:35 daily |
| Hong Kong | TVB Select | 11 October 2010 – 4 March 2011 | 22:30–23:30 from Monday–Thursday; Monday–Friday from 13 December onwards |
| Japan | BS Fuji | 26 October 2010 – 2011 | Weekly on Mondays from 21:00 to 23:00 |
| Malaysia | Astro Zhi Zun HD | 10 November 2010 – 2011 | 18:00–19:00 on weekdays |
| Hong Kong | HD Jade | 15 March 2012 – 11 July 2012 | 23:45–00:45 on weekdays |
| Taiwan | China Television | 2 July 2012 – 4 September 2012 | |
| South Korea | KBS 2TV | 27 February 2012 – 12 February 2013 | 00:35–01:25 from Monday–Tuesday |
| Romania | On national television channels: TVR2 & TVR HD (simultaneously); TVR3 | first broadcast, on TVR 2 and TVR HD: 16 May 2011 second broadcast, on TVR 3: 2012 third broadcast, on TVR 2 and TVR HD: August 2013 – 12 December 2013 | 20:00 and 00:50 (R), from Monday to Thursday 23:00 and 04:30 (R), from Monday to Saturday 23:50–01:20 (may vary) and 4:00–4:50 (R) from Wednesday to Friday (may vary) |
| Thailand | 3 HD, 3 Family | 30 January 2017 (Originally broadcast: 25 October 2016) | 18:20–19:05 from Monday-Thursday; 18:00–18:45 on Friday (since 1 May 2017, it moved to broadcast on 3 Family at 21:00) |
| Middle East & North Africa | MBC Action | 24 April 2016 – 15 November 2016 | 17:00 on weekdays |
| Iran | IRIB Tamasha | | 19:00 on weekdays |