The Battle of Red Cliffs is one of the most famous great battles in Romance of the Three Kingdoms and a turning point in the fortunes of Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan.
After unifying the north, Cao Cao leads his great army south. Jing Province quickly falls, Liu Bei retreats under pressure, and Sun Quan faces a momentous choice: submit to Cao Cao or risk everything in battle.
Zhuge Liang travels to Eastern Wu and argues forcefully for an alliance against Cao Cao. Zhou Yu ultimately chooses resistance, setting the stage for a great confrontation along the Yangtze.
To break Cao Cao’s fleet, Zhou Yu and Huang Gai prepare the famous ruse of self-inflicted punishment. Huang Gai allows himself to be publicly beaten and then sends word that he wishes to surrender to Cao Cao. At the same time, Pang Tong’s linked-ships stratagem causes the northern warships to be chained together.
On the night of the decisive attack, Huang Gai leads vessels toward Cao Cao’s fleet as though coming over in surrender. The boats are packed with flammable materials. Once they draw near, they are suddenly set ablaze.
Driven by the wind, the fire ships crash into Cao Cao’s chained fleet. Flames race from vessel to vessel until the river seems covered by a sea of fire.
Cao Cao suffers a disastrous defeat and flees north with the remnants of his army. Along the road he encounters further attacks from commanders including Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei. At Huarong Pass he finally meets Guan Yu. Remembering their former bond, Guan Yu allows Cao Cao to escape with his life.
The enduring appeal of Red Cliffs lies not simply in victory and defeat, but in the succession of stratagems and unforgettable personalities: Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu, Huang Gai, Pang Tong, Cao Cao, and Guan Yu all take their turns on the stage. It becomes one of the grandest legendary dramas in the entire Romance.