Turmoil

It is nearing the end of the 2nd Century, and Han Dynasty China is beset by strife. Numerous warlords, tribal uprisings, bandit armies and peasant rebellions are devastating the already famine-ridden nation, and the young Emperor Xian can only watch from his court in Chang'an, where the power is held by warlord-regents Li Jue and Guo Si.

The men that should be fighting to restore the Han - the wealthy Yuan Shao, so-called "Hero of Chaos" Cao Cao and disinherited Han scion Liu Bei - are too busy with their own problems, and none are worse than the ambitious Yuan Shu - who covets his brother Shao's power and more besides - and LU Bu, foster son of vanquished tyrant Dong Zhuo and a force of chaos unlike any other.

The Han's fate is uncertain as power shifts from Chang'an to Xuchang and the factions dwindle; a famous battle at Guandu is all that then stands between ambitious men and the road to the legendary "Three Kingdoms" era.