Luo Guan Zhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms

[PotterNo1]

I have been fascinated with this work for a while now but can anyone tell me whether it is actually based on historical fact (which may have been more widely available in the 1300s when the book was writen) or is it merely what it says...a romance?
I have only ever found references to the Han dynasty (pre three kingdoms period) through photos of pots and jars which aren't very helpful in showing the historical reality of this period in time in terms of the people, places and battles etc.
Information about the Three Kingdoms period itself is bare minimal as well. The only battle/ war I can find reference to is the Yellow Turban rebellion of the later Han Dynasty and the Battle between Cao Cao (though other sources say and alliance between many warlords) and the Tyrant Dong Zhuo who forced his way into power after the last Han emporer's death.
I have a sneeking suspicion that even this is merely based on the Romance of the Three Kindoms novel.
I know that Cao Cao (sometimes Tsao Tsao) existed...there are portraits of him and poems written by him but that is all I know.
There are hundreds of warriors/ characters in the novel and only few can be backed up by historical evidence so it is very confusing.
The novel is obviously highly romanticised for example it talks of a warrior holding back an army of 100 000 men single handedly to allow his lord to escape but with all that aside it is still hard to tell whether the battles actually took place.
Can anyone help me out here...a big ask as it is not a well known period of history but any help would be handy. thanks

[Anonymous]

There are many English websites about Romance of 3 Kingdoms. Actually, I played computer games of Romance of 3 Kingdoms 8 9 and 10. Waiting for 11

http://www.threekingdoms.com/

http://www.kongming.net/1/

These links can let you understand more about them

Quite interesting

[PotterNo1]

I had actually become interested in this period of history from the video game series Dynasty Warriors and had wanted to find out more about it.
The game includes alot of romantic ideas and exaggerated stories which make it all seem very unrealistic.
I have since learned that the Book Romance of the Three kingdoms is actually based on a much earlier work written during the Three Kingdoms period called the Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms and so most of the factual information is true!

There is an encyclopedia included in the Dynasty Warriors game but it is very inacurate and largely just plays up the romantic side of history.
For example it says that one of the generals was the father of Lou Guan Zhong who wrote the novel "Romance of the Three kingdoms". This is total rubbish because that would make him over 1000 years old when he wrote the novel!

[Anonymous]

I usually use Cao Cao to Unify China. I've completed There Kingdom 8,9 and 10 for 20 months

[PotterNo1]

I'm not sure whether we are on about the same game...maybe it has a different name in other countries.

My favourite characters to use are Zhang Liao, Ma Chao and Guan Ping as well as Xiao Qiao and Zhen Ji.

Many characters heroism is greatly exagerated. For example Zhang Liao defeating 100 000 men with only 700 at He Fei...historical accounts suggest the figure was much more even.

As far as I know, the only 2 true heros who are represented and celebrated in Chinese culture (although I don't know it too well) are Guan Yu and Zhao Yun who are celebrated as gods of war and bravery.