Liu Bei

Biography & Historical Record

Liu Bei (161–223 AD), courtesy name Xuande, was a warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty who founded the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, becoming its first emperor. Hailing from Zhuozhou in Zhuo Commandery, Liu Bei claimed descent from Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a son of Emperor Jing of Han, though his family had fallen into poverty, forcing him to make a living selling straw sandals and woven mats with his mother in his youth.

Despite his humble beginnings, Liu Bei possessed a charismatic personality, immense benevolence, and a magnetic ability to attract exceptional talents. In 184 AD, amidst the chaos of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he met Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, with whom he swore the legendary Oath of the Peach Garden in a small orchard, binding their lives together in a lifelong brotherhood to protect the empire and restore the Han dynasty. Throughout the turbulent civil wars of the era, Liu Bei wandered across China serving various warlords—including Gongsun Zan, Tao Qian, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and Liu Biao—before finding his true footing with the counsel of the brilliant strategist Zhuge Liang (Sleeping Dragon).

With Zhuge Liang’s Longzhong Plan, Liu Bei secured Jing Province, conquered Yi Province (Sichuan), and successfully seized Hanzhong from Cao Cao, establishing a powerful independent base in western China. In 219 AD, he proclaimed himself King of Hanzhong. Following the collapse of the Eastern Han dynasty in 220 AD and Cao Pi’s usurpation of the throne, Liu Bei declared himself Emperor of Shu Han in 221 AD to preserve the imperial lineage of the Han dynasty. Seeking to avenge the tragic death of Guan Yu and the loss of Jing Province, Liu Bei launched a massive punitive expedition against Eastern Wu in 222 AD. However, he suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Yiling against Wu’s Grand Viceroy Lu Xun, who used fire attacks to decimate the Shu fleet and army. Grief-stricken and physically broken by the disaster, Liu Bei retreated to Baidi Castle, where he fell gravely ill and passed away in 223 AD at the age of 63, entrusting his son Liu Shan and the state of Shu Han entirely to Zhuge Liang’s care.

Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In Luo Guanzhong’s classic historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei is portrayed as the quintessential virtuous, benevolent, and compassionate ruler who embodies traditional Confucian ideals of morality and righteousness. His narrative dominates the entire epic from Chapter 1 through Chapter 85. Major novelistic highlights include the iconic Oath of the Peach Garden, the emotional Three Visits to the Cottage to recruit Zhuge Liang, the harrowing civilian exodus across Changban, the dramatic alliance with Sun Quan at Red Cliffs, and his tragic demise following the disastrous fire attack at Yiling.

Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings

• “Though we are born on different days, we die together on the same.” — Liu Bei reciting the Oath of the Peach Garden with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
• “A ruler must take benevolence and righteousness as his foundation.” — Liu Bei expressing his core governing philosophy and moral code.
• “If you succeed, I will share the empire with you; if you fail, I shall die with you.” — Liu Bei’s heartfelt plea to Zhuge Liang during the Three Visits to the Cottage.
• “My only regret is that I could not finish what I started, but I entrust my son and kingdom entirely to your capable hands.” — Liu Bei’s deathbed instructions to Zhuge Liang at Baidi Castle.

Liu Bei (刘备) — Historical & Literary Timeline

Items

• The Dual Swords

• Dilu Ma

Key Relationships

Family

• Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện) — Eldest son and successor who inherited the throne of Shu Han; entrusted to Zhuge Liang upon Liu Bei’s death in 223 AD.
• Liu Yong (刘永, Lưu Vĩnh) — Younger son of Liu Bei.
• Liu Li (刘理, Lưu Lý) — Younger son of Liu Bei.
• Lady Gan (甘夫人, Cam phu nhân) — Primary wife and mother of Liu Shan.
• Lady Mi (糜夫人, Mi phu nhân) — Wife who famously sacrificed herself during the retreat at Changban in 208 AD.
• Sun Shangxiang (孙尚香, Tôn Thượng Hương) — Political wife from Eastern Wu, married to cement the alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan.

Friends

• Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) — Sworn brother of the Peach Garden and founding pillar of Shu Han; his death in 219 AD prompted Liu Bei’s ill-fated campaign against Wu.
• Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) — Sworn brother of the Peach Garden and a key general who fought alongside Liu Bei since the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
• Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) — Prime Minister and supreme strategist recruited during the Three Visits; architect of the Longzhong Plan and regent for Liu Shan.
• Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) — Legendary general who served with unwavering loyalty, famously rescuing the infant Liu Shan during the chaos at Changban in 208 AD.
• Pang Tong (庞统, Bàng Thống) — Brilliant strategist known as the Young Phoenix who served as a key advisor during the conquest of Yi Province.
• Jian Yong (简雍, Giản Ung) — Longtime diplomatic advisor and companion from Liu Bei’s early years.
• Sun Qian (孙乾, Tôn Càn) — Lifelong diplomatic advisor who served as a trusted envoy for Liu Bei.

Enemies

• Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) — Primary political and military rival throughout the late Han dynasty; he famously identified Liu Bei as the only true hero during the Green Plum Discussion.
• Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền) — Ruler of Eastern Wu; a strategic ally at Red Cliffs in 208 AD who became a bitter enemy after seizing Jing Province and executing Guan Yu.
• Lu Xun (陆逊, Lục Tốn) — Eastern Wu Grand Viceroy who decisively defeated Liu Bei at the Battle of Yiling in 222 AD using fire attacks.
• Liu Zhang (刘璋, Lưu Chương) — Governor of Yi Province whom Liu Bei supplanted to establish his western base in 214 AD.
• Lü Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố) — Warlord who betrayed Liu Bei at Xuzhou, leading to a volatile rivalry before his eventual execution by Cao Cao.

Other

• Gongsun Zan (公孙瓒, Công Tôn Toản) — Warlord and former mentor under whom Liu Bei served early in his military career.
• Tao Qian (陶谦, Đào Khiêm) — Governor of Xuzhou who famously ceded his province to Liu Bei before his death.
• Liu Biao (刘表, Lưu Biểu) — Warlord of Jing Province who provided refuge to Liu Bei prior to the Battle of Red Cliffs.
• Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu) — Warlord whom Liu Bei briefly joined after fleeing Cao Cao in 200 AD.

Comrades

• The Three Sworn Brothers: Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei

Gallery

Famous Allusion

Zhao Yun Rescues A'Dou at Dangyang

The Peach Garden Oath - 桃园结义 - Tao Yuan Jie Yi

温酒斩华雄, Wēn Jiǔ Zhǎn Huá Xióng, Ôn Tửu Trảm Hoa Hùng