Stamp design: Most classic Chinese novels give expression to such traditional Chinese virtues as patriotism, loyalty, benevolence and justice. Having previously released a set of stamps on the novel "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" in 2000, the Directorate General of Posts is going to release a second set of four stamps in this series. Scheduled to be released on April 4, 2002, the second set of four stamps includes "Three Heroes Battling Lu Bu," "To the Rescue of His Master's Family...... Scraping away the Poison from the Bone" and "Playing a Lute to Make the Enemy Retreat." At the same time, a souvenir sheet will be released. The stamps were planned by Mr. Wu Hong-yi, a professor of Chinese at National Taiwan University. It is said that The Romance of the Three Kingdoms was written by Luo Guan-Chung in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties. Based on historical records and folk legends, this book describes Chinese history from the Yellow Tur-ban Rebellion at the close of the Eastern Han Dynasty to when the Western Chin Dynasty received the heavenly mandate and unified China (184-280 A.D.). His great writing skills created many very moving heroic deeds, making this book a classic.The following is a brief introduction to the designs of the stamps: (1) Three Heroes Battling Lu Bu: Lu Bu, the foster son of Tung Cho, was a valiant warrior. One day, he came to challenge the feudal lords' camp to battle. Chang Fei fought with him for a long time and then Liu Bei and Guan Yu joined in one after another. Finally, being attacked from three sides, even Lu could not cope, so he ate his pride and fled back to his camp, dragging his halberd.(2) To the Rescue of His Master's Family: Chao Yun, also named Chao Tzu-lung, was a handsome man and skillful fighter. When Tsao Tsao defeated Liu Bei in Tangyang, Chao was ordered to protect Liu's family. Though he was wounded, he thought only of protecting the Lius and ultimately rescued Liu's wives Lady Kan and Lady Mi and their son A Tou.(3) Scraping away the Poison from the Bone: When attacking Fancheng, a poisonous arrow hit Guan Yu's right arm. Doctor Hua Tuo suggested to cut open his flesh and scrap away the poison from the bone with a scalpel before applying medicine and sewing it up. Guan agreed, and as the doctor operated, he drank and played chess with Ma Liang. Hua Tuo's skill and Guan Yu's guts were both extraordinary.(4) Playing a Lute to Make the Enemy Retreat: Szuma Yi led an army of 150,000 to attack Chu-Ko Liang's city. Chu-Ko had only 2,500 soldiers under his command. Everyone there, except Chu-Ko himself was in a panic. He just calmly put on a coat made of feathers and a cap, and went to the top of the city wall to play a lute amid burning incense. Szuma Yi thought there would be an ambush and gave orders to retreat. This story demonstrated the wonderful foresight of Chu-Ko Liang.