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2020

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Zhou Yu (175-210 AD) was a prominent military general serving under the warlord Sun Ce, and later Sun Quan, during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China. He is best known for his instrumental role in the decisive victory at the Battle of Red Cliffs in 208 AD, where he commanded the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei against the numerically superior army of Cao Cao.

A skilled strategist and charismatic leader, Zhou Yu was renowned for his knowledge of warfare, musical talent, and handsome appearance, earning him the nickname "Beautiful Zhou Yu." He forged a close friendship with Sun Ce and remained a loyal and capable advisor to Sun Quan after Sun Ce's assassination.

While widely admired, Zhou Yu was also portrayed in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms as being jealous of Zhuge Liang's intelligence and constantly plotting against him. This portrayal, while contributing to the novel's dramatic tension, is considered by historians to be a significant exaggeration and misrepresentation of his actual character.

Zhou Yu died at the young age of 36, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most brilliant military minds of his era. His contributions were essential to the establishment of the Eastern Wu kingdom.