China's history has been marked by dynastic cycles, the longest and arguably the most influential being the Zhou Dynasty, which birthed the great minds of Confucius and Laozi

Out of the Zhou Dynasty birthed the Qin Dynasty, which brought China its first emperor

Han Dynasty founded by Liu Bang, known as the Supreme Ancestor, who, according to legend, slew a white serpent to signify the beginning of his uprising

Western Han (capitol in Chang'an) was overthrown and usurped by court offical Wang Mang in 9 A.D

Late Eastern Han Dynasty, eunuchs rose to power in the capital under Emperor Huan and Ling

In Julu, Zhang Jue meets the Immortal Hermit of the Southern Land and is taught the Essential Arts of Peace. Became known as the Mystic of the Way of Peace and the Wise and Worthy Master

Chief Eunuch Cao Jie fabricates charge with eunuch faction against Cai Yong and ousts him from capital

10 Eunuchs known as the Ten Regular Attendants rise to power, led by Zhang Rang, known as the Foster Father

China expreiences a terrible pestilence and Zhang Jue proclaims an apocalypse was coming marked by a yellow sky denoting the fall of the Han Dynasty

Zhang Jue tries to bribe eunuch Feng Xu, but the plot is found out. Regent Marshall He Jin arrests the conspirators

Liu Xiu, descendant of Liu Bang, overthrew Wang Mang and established the Eastern Han (capital in Luoyang)

Emperor Ling experiences a number of bad omen, taken as heaven's displeasure with events on earth. Curt Counselor Cai Yong blames the empress and eunuchs

Zhang Jue (General of Heaven), Zhang Bao (General of the Earth), and Zhang Liang (General of Mankind) mobilize their forces

He Jin sends out edict for empire to prepare for the rebellion, appoints three Imperial commanders to lead elite troops

Liu Bei, descendant of a branch of the imperial family who studied under Lu Zhi and a shoe-maker, reads the recruitment notice and wishes to destroy the rebels

Zhang Fei, a wine-seller and butcher sells his farm and recruits a local militia to fight the rebels

Guan Yu, a valiant fugitive, hopes to join the army