How to unlock this story: Defeat Meng Huo and/or Zhu Rong in a duel in the Nanman Campaign on the Shu or Wu side (A common misconception is that you have to defeat Meng Huo seven times to unlock him, but in reality, you just have to defeat him in the duel. Also, by unlocking this story, you unlock both Meng Huo and Zhu Rong.)
Chapter 1: Invasion from the North
The Nanman Campaign: Nanman Forces Vs. Shu Forces
"Repel the invasion from the north and protect the Nanman Territory!"
Commanders: Meng Huo Vs. Zhuge Liang
| Nanman Forces | Shu Forces |
|---|---|
| Meng Huo (+ Meng You, Mang Yachang & Dailai Dongzhu) Zhu Rong Wu Tugu King Mulu King Duosi Jinhuan Sanjie Dong Tu Ne Ahui Nan Yong Kai (+ Gao Ding & Zhu Bao) Yang Feng |
Zhuge Liang (+ Guan Suo & Zhao Yun) Wei Yan (+ Wang Ping, Zhang Yi & Zhang Bao) Ma Su Pang Tong (+ Guan Xing) Huang Zhong (+ Ma Liang & Jiang Wei) Ma Chao Ma Dai (+ Lu Kai) |
This battle is way too easy compared to the trouble Shu and Wu went through. As you fight for the Nanman Forces, you won't have to think about the swamp, the raging elephants, or the overwhelming numbers of the Nanman men. Speaking of elephants, you may want to try to get one from your officers and ride it into the Shu HQ, as once you do so, the Elephant Harness will appear in your own HQ, so you may want to have Red Hare equipped beforehand (or play this stage with a friend). The only concern here is Ma Su who is luring Wu Tugu further into his area. Also, Pang Tong is in this battle as well with Jiang Wei serving under Huang Zhong. As the Shu army advances through the land, they will encounter many problems as they advance in the land. After a while, Ma Su will show strange activities in the area and Wu Tugu will become trapped after his pursuit is over. After that happens, you can save Wu Tugu's unit from being burned or you can let him be eliminated; however, if Wu Tugu gets trapped by Zhuge Liang's ploy then Ahui Nan and Dong Tu Ne will defect to Shu. After 9 to 10 minutes in battle, Yang Feng will arrive to assist you in battle. However, if the Shu reinforcements arrive, then Yang Feng may defect to Shu also. So be cautious and eliminate Ma Su at the very start of the battle. More or less, just defeat Ma Su and the enemy reinforcements and your troubles will be over. Also, Zhuge Liang will retreat once every other general and officer is defeated.
Chapter 2: Taking Wu
Battle of Jian Ye: Nanman Forces Vs. Wu Forces
"Attack the Wu capital of Jian Ye and bring ruin to the Sun Family!"
Commanders: Meng Huo Vs. Sun Jian
| Nanman Forces | Wu Forces |
|---|---|
| Meng Huo (+ Dailai Dongzhu) Zhu Rong (+ Meng Jie) Wu Tugu (+ Meng You & King Duosi) King Mulu (+ Dong Tu Ne & Jinhuan Sanjie) |
Sun Jian Sun Ce Sun Quan Sun Shang Xiang Taishi Ci (+ Zhu Ran & Ding Feng) Zhou Tai (+ Xu Sheng & Sun Shao) Cheng Pu (+ Jiang Qin) Zhuge Jin |
This battle is the same as the Shu and Wei story modes with a small change. Instead of Huang Gai, Cheng Pu will be in the middle fortress, with Jiang Qin under his command. Start off by getting rid of the officers, then go for Zhuge Jin and the Sun Jian clone in the north. After eliminating the impostors, head for the generals and then start eliminating the Sun family in this order: Sun Jian, Sun Ce, Sun Quan, and Sun Shang Xiang.
Chapter 3: Taking Wei
Battle of Xu Chang: Nanman Forces Vs. Wei Forces
"Attack Xu Chang Castle and defeat Cao Cao!"
Commanders: Meng Huo Vs. Cao Cao
| Nanman Forces | Wei Forces |
|---|---|
| Meng Huo (+ Dong Tu Ne) Zhu Rong Wu Tugu (+ Yong Kai) Dailai Dongzhu King Mulu (+ Gao Ding & Ahui Nan) King Duosi (+ Meng You) |
Cao Cao (+Jia Xu & Jia Kui) Sima Yi (+ Sima Zhao) Cao Pi (+ Deng Ai & Hu Zhi) Xiahou Dun (+ Cao Hong) Man Chong Cao Zhen Cao Xiu Xu Zhu (+ Cao Zhang) Cao Ren (+ Xin Pi) |
Once again, start off by taking out the enemies at the south gate where Zhen Ji is at, if she is there. Next, make sure that Xiahou Dun and Man Chong are defeated so you won't have to worry about the siege ramp getting thrashed. Then, retreat back to the rear fortress and stop Xu Zhu's ambush party. Once that is done, be ready for the large enemy reinforcements that appear in the south. They will head for the rear fortress so stop them once more. After that, head for the south passage of Xu Chang and get the door open, but watch out for the ambush party and the spike barrier that are blocking each path into Xu Chang. Also, Sima Yi will blow the west courtyard after you receive a message about gunpowder. After all of that, it will be a walkthrough the land for you and the Nanman forces; however, keep an eye out for your King Meng Huo since he may not be so high on morale. After everyone else is eliminated, show Cao Cao that the Nanman are even mightier than the great Kingdom of Wei. This is also where you can earn Zhu Rong's level 10 weapon, and for that you have to stop Xu Zhu's assault and more importantly, see to it that the siege ramp is set up (make sure to defeat Xiahou Dun and Xu Zhu's sub-officers, Cao Hong and Cao Zhang).
Also, there are a few changes from the Shu and Wu story modes:
- Instead of Zhen Ji, Cao Zhen is the one guarding Wu Ru Guan's north gate.
- Cao Pi replaces Dian Wei in the south courtyard, and Cao Ren replaces Pang De for the ambush party.
Final Chapter: Taking Shu
Battle of Cheng Du: Nanman Forces Vs. Shu Forces
"Break through Shu's lines and defeat Liu Bei at Cheng Du!"
Commanders: Meng Huo Vs. Liu Bei
| Nanman Forces | Shu Forces |
|---|---|
| Meng Huo (+ Meng You) Zhu Rong (+ Meng Jie) Wu Tugu King Mulu King Duosi Dailai Dongzhu Dong Tu Ne Ahui Nan Yang Feng |
Liu Bei (+ Ma Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Yi & Guan Ping) Zhuge Liang (+ Jiang Wei) Yue Ying (+ Li Yan) Ma Su (+ Guan Xing & Guan Suo) Ma Dai (+ Mi Zhu) Wang Ping Zhao Yun Zhu Bao (+ Gao Ding & Yong Kai) Zhang Bao Ma Chao |
As you know, this battle is the same as the Wei and Wu story modes with a small change. Zhao Yun is guarding the center field just south of Luo Castle while a Nanman general (Zhu Bao) is trapped within the fortress just south of your King. As your army approaches from the south bridge of Luo Castle, they will encounter Zhang Bao, son of Zhang Fei. Also, when the army reaches the castle, Wu Tugu will charge. In order to achieve Ending 4 for the Nanman, you have to ensure Wu Tugu survives this battle, so rush after him and clear out the enemies in the castle. (HINT: As you slowly cut off Zhu Bao's help, soldiers will begin to defect back to your side. Unless you rather keep Zhu Bao stuck behind your lines, go ahead and execute one of his officers to get him to defect to your side.) Other than that, this battle will surely be an easy win. This is also where you can earn Meng Huo's level 10 weapon, and for that your targets are essentially all the playable officers. Once everyone else has been dispatched, finish off the King of the Invaders and the Nanman victory will finally be yours.
Ending Summary
- Nanman King Meng Huo was the most powerful tribal ruler of the Nan Zhong Region. His authority was one day challenged when an armed force invaded Nan Zhong from the north.
- A furious Meng Huo headed to intercept the invasion force with his wife, Zhu Rong. After a furoius battle, the enemy force was routed, and Nan Zhong was protected from the invaders.
- To prevent any further invasions, Meng Huo began a campaign north to attack his would-be attackers. However, being unaccustomed to water travel, he and his army were swept away down the Chang Jiang.
- Meng Huo ultimately arrived at Jiang Dong, where he was given a harsh welcome by Sun Jian, the "Tiger of Jiang Dong". However, Meng Huo emerged victorious from this battle of the beasts, and he went on to conquer the Kingdom of Wu.
- Meng Huo began a march westward on land towards home, but on the way, he caught sight of the Imperial City of his would-be attackers. Seeking revenge for the invasion, Meng Huo decided to attack the city.
- The opposing force was the great Kingdom of Wei. However, in the face of Meng Huo's fearless attacks, the mighty Wei Army faltered. Meng Huo succeeded in taking Xu Chang, and the Kingdom of Wei was now his as well.
- Continuing his journey home, Meng Huo headed southwest. On the way, he would come across the Shu capital of Cheng Du. It was here that Meng Huo finally found the perpetrators of the invasion on Nan Zhong.
- With revenge finally at hand, Meng Huo furiously charged the Shu Army, and succeeded in exacting his vengeance. Satisfied, the Nanman King returned in triumph to his land of Nan Zhong.
- So it was that the Nanman Tribe under Meng Huo and Zhu Rong unified the land. Their legendary journey would later come to be known as "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms".