The political role of classical Chinese literature in Mao's fight against the twin superpowers -- Chronological events of the Three Kingdoms period -- Mao and theme of The romance of the three kingdoms -- The romance of the three kingdoms and the origins of Mao's global order of tripolarity -- Mao's tripolar methodology: from theory to praxis -- From post-war bipolarity to Mao's global order of tripolarity -- 1954-1964 period of tripolarity: Sino-Soviet break up and dismissal of Soviet-backed Peng Dehuai -- 1965-1969 period of tripolarity: Cultural Revolution as part of Sino-US hostility -- 1969-1976 period of tripolarity: Sino-US courtship and Mao's modernization initiatives in western economic style -- 1979-1990 period: collapse of Mao's global order of tripolarity.