The tale begins at the end of the Han dynasty (206 BC-200 AD). The empire was in collapse, corrupt officials had bankrupted the state, and dissent was widespread. Much of the corruption was due to ten powerful eunuchs who essentially controlled the Han court. A peasant uprising known as the Yellow Scarves Rebellion threatened to overthrow the government. In response to this threat, the emperor sent out an appeal to the provinces, calling on loyal subjects to fight the rebels.

Among those responding to the appeal, three men - Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fe - vowed to fight as brothers. Liu Bei, a distant relative of the emperor's, was a mat weaver known for his virtue. Guan Yu was a noble fugitive with a two-foot-long beard. Zhang Fei, a butcher, was known for his strength and ferocity.

"We three, though of seperate ancestry, join in brotherhood here, combining strength and purpose, to relieve the present crisis... We dare not hope to be together always but hereby vow to die the selfsame day."

The brothers raised an army of 500 youths to fight the Yellow Scarves Rebellion, and all three quickly distinguished themselves in battle.