英雄华容道-中国民间智力游戏 1.3.1

The Huarong Road puzzle is widely regarded as one of the most engaging traditional intelligence games in Chinese culture.

The gameplay for Huarong Road is straightforward: by maneuvering various pieces on the board, the objective is to guide Cao Cao from his initial position to the central bottom exit. The challenge lies in moving without crossing other pieces and using the fewest steps possible to facilitate Cao Cao's escape.

The primary obstacle in Cao Cao's escape is Guan Yu, who stands firmly in the way—an impregnable fortress that no opponent can easily overcome.

Guan Yu, along with Cao Cao, represents a critical element within this puzzle. The four soldiers of Liu Bei's army are notably agile and relatively easier to manage; thus, strategic deployment of these pieces must be thoughtfully considered to aid in solving the puzzle.

The origins of the Huarong Road game trace back to a famous story from the Three Kingdoms period: after being defeated at the Battle of Red Cliffs by Liu Bei and Sun Quan's strategies—including the "Painful Flesh" tactic and the "Iron Chain Boat" formation—Cao Cao was forced to retreat into Huarong Road, where he encountered Zhuge Liang’s ambush. Guan Yu, seeking to repay Cao Cao’s earlier kindness, ultimately helps him escape through this narrow passage.

The narrative aligns with the storyline: "Cao Man's army suffers defeat at Huarong, encountering Guan Gong on the narrow path. Driven by past kindness, Guan Yu reluctantly aids Cao Cao in escaping." This story forms the thematic inspiration for the game’s design and challenge.