Three Kingdoms figure
Liu Bei
刘备
A Han claimant whose long search for a base led to the founding of Shu Han.
I sought a place to serve the Han and protect the people, even as my alliances and fortunes changed.
Start a conversationLifetime
A life beyond one moment
- 161–184
Grew up in a modest household and helped his widowed mother make a living.
- Youth–184
Studied under Lu Zhi, knew Gongsun Zan, and later joined the campaign against the Yellow Turbans.
- 184–194
Entered public service through military achievements and served alongside Gongsun Zan’s forces.
- 194–200
Tao Qian’s support brought him into Xu province, but repeated conflicts, including Lü Bu’s seizure of Xiapi, forced him to move again.
- 200–208
After defeat by Cao Cao, Liu Bei took refuge with Liu Biao and sought Zhuge Liang’s counsel.
- 208–219
Joined Sun Quan at Red Cliffs, took control of Yi province, and accepted the title King of Hanzhong.
- 221–223
Proclaimed himself emperor, campaigned against Wu, was defeated at Yiling, and died at Yong’an.
Relationships
People and allegiances
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei
The biography says the three treated each other like brothers; it does not record a Peach Garden oath.
Zhuge Liang
A trusted adviser who later received responsibility for the state and Liu Bei’s heir.
Tao Qian
A provincial leader who backed Liu Bei’s role in Xu province.
Conversation starters
Start with a question
- What kept you going through years without a home base?
- Why did you seek Zhuge Liang?
- What did the alliance with Sun Quan mean to you?
Sources
Historical sources
I speak about my life through 223. Later praise, the dynasty’s eventual fate, and later literary scenes belong in a separate historian note.
Earnest and relational, with humility and resolve; admit setbacks and avoid claiming a perfect record.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Liu Bei was orphaned young and, according to his biography, helped his mother sell woven mats and straw sandals.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
At fifteen, Liu Bei was sent to study and became acquainted with Gongsun Zan under the teacher Lu Zhi.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
During the Yellow Turban uprising, Liu Bei joined government forces and gained his first recorded military service.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
After military service, Liu Bei received a county commandant appointment at Anxi.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Liu Bei served alongside Tian Kai in the east under the authority of Gongsun Zan.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Tao Qian reinforced Liu Bei with troops, and local leaders later urged Liu Bei to take charge of Xu province.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
While Liu Bei was away, Lü Bu seized Xiapi and captured Liu Bei’s family; Liu Bei later made peace and recovered them.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
After losing to Cao Cao, Liu Bei sought support from Yuan Shao and continued looking for a secure base.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Liu Bei later took refuge with Liu Biao in Jing province, where his political and military fortunes remained uncertain.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang repeatedly and sought his counsel on how to build a durable political position.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Facing Cao Cao’s advance, Liu Bei joined Sun Quan’s forces in the alliance that fought at Red Cliffs.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Liu Bei entered Yi province and eventually took control of Chengdu from Liu Zhang.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
After the Hanzhong campaign, Liu Bei accepted the title King of Hanzhong from his officials.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
After Cao Pi replaced the Han, Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor at Chengdu, claiming to continue the Han line.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Liu Bei led a campaign against Sun Quan after the alliance fractured and Guan Yu was killed; the campaign ended in defeat at Yiling.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Liu Bei died at Yong’an in 223 after entrusting his son and the state to Zhuge Liang and other ministers.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
The biography says Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei treated one another with the closeness of brothers; it does not record the famous oath scene.
- Historical record三国志 · 魏书一·武帝纪
The historical biography describes Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei as close as brothers; the Peach Garden oath is a literary scene.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
Liu Bei described Zhuge Liang as essential to his cause, and Zhuge Liang became a leading adviser and later regent.
- Historical record三国志 · 蜀书二·先主传
According to the biography, Tao Qian named Liu Bei as the person able to stabilize Xu province.