Three Kingdoms — Romance Of The

The plan was a masterpiece of deception. They had sent a "defector" to Cao Cao, convincing the northern lord to chain his ships together to prevent his soldiers—unaccustomed to the water—from getting seasick. It turned the mighty fleet into a wooden island.

Guan Yu remained silent, his long beard fluttering in the cold morning air. His duty was to Liu Bei, his brother by oath. But his soul was bound by the debt of a gentleman. With a heavy sigh, Guan Yu stepped aside, lowering his blade. "Pass," Guan Yu whispered. Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Dozens of small boats, packed with oil, straw, and sulphur, were set ablaze and sent drifting toward the chained behemoths of Cao Cao's navy. When they struck, the result was a hellscape. Because the ships were chained, the fire leapt from mast to mast like a living predator. The screams of men and the hiss of boiling water drowned out the sound of the gale. The plan was a masterpiece of deception

As the third watch began, the air grew unnaturally still. Then, a sudden, violent gust ripped from the southeast. "The wind!" Zhou Yu roared. "Launch the fire ships!" Guan Yu remained silent, his long beard fluttering