How were battles conducted in the Three Kingdoms period of China?

The novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms seems to focus a lot on individual duels between opposing officers, before committing armies to a general melee. Is this accurate?

Romance of Three Kingdoms was a stylized historical fiction. Like 300 or Inglourious Basterds.

Generals definitely did not duel each other in real life. Most generals were busy commanding their armies from a safe vantage point overlooking the battlefield. Some generals led from the front when opportunity allowed for it or when it was decisive to do so. Opposing generals leading from the front at the same time may be considered or mistakened as to be"duelling" but that is a big stretch into romanticism territory.

Hence: romance of three kingdoms.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google Plus

About Chinese not from China

Chinese not from China is an overseas Chinese educated on Chinese history, fluent in two Chinese languages, and raised in Chinese culture. Learn more about me.