Liu Bei

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Liu Bei (刘备)
Alias(es)	Liu Xuande; Xuande
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Liu Bei's forces; later the Great Han
Occupation/Role	Warlord, military commander, King of Hanzhong, Emperor of Great Han
Status	Emperor; near the end of his life during the final chapter 954
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Liu Bei began as a leader with limited means, shaped by the hardship of lacking military power. During the suppression of the Yellow Turbans and his term as Chancellor of Pingyuan, he developed a practice of secretly recruiting soldiers; he continued recruiting personal retainers even while dependent on Yuan Shao. When he arrived in Xiaopei, Tao Qian supplied him with 4,000 Danyang Soldiers as well as money and grain. 2

After fleeing to Xudu, Liu Bei received Cao Cao's support: a formal appointment as Governor of Yuzhou, several thousand troops, and provisions to return to Xiaopei. He reclaimed the families captured after Xiaopei fell and immediately rode with Zhang Fei to Gan Family Village when Gan Qian's safety was uncertain. 24

At Xiaopei, Liu Bei accepted Lan Tian's counsel regarding Yang Feng. He executed Yang Feng, incorporated Yang's troops, and strengthened his own forces; his patient habit of visiting Gan Family Village to discuss farming and history gradually earned Lan Tian's admiration. 32

Following the loss of Xu Province, Liu Bei admitted regret for ignoring Lan Tian's earlier advice and sought to appoint him as military adviser. He described his lifelong effort to restore the Han and his realization, after reaching forty without major success, that he lacked a master strategist. Lan Tian declined the post. 50

In Jing Province, Liu Biao initially treated Liu Bei as an honored guest while withholding a command, leaving Liu Bei frustrated by his lack of progress. Following Lan Tian's guidance to show weakness and wait patiently, Liu Bei was assigned 3,000 troops and sent to garrison Xinye. 53

At Xinye, Liu Bei suppressed Zhang Wu and Chen Sun's rebellion at Anlu, retaining the surrendered troops and presenting Zhang Wu's horse to Liu Biao. He later appointed Xu Shu as military adviser and persistently recruited Zhuge Liang through three visits to his thatched cottage. 60 63 74

When Liu Biao attempted to remove him to Guiyang Commandery, Liu Bei accepted the transfer as a long-term opportunity. He avoided openly replacing Administrator Zhao Fan upon arrival, but took control of Guiyang's Chief Clerk's Office and thereby its administration. 76 78

Liu Bei expanded his influence through Southern Jing and Yi Province. He gained Liu Qi's trust and naval troops, consolidated Jing Province after Liu Qi's death, and entered Yi Province at Liu Zhang's invitation. Despite advice to seize Liu Zhang immediately, Liu Bei delayed, cultivated popular support around Jiameng Pass, and built his strength with the troops and resources Liu Zhang supplied. 93 153 196

After taking Yi Province, Liu Bei relied on officials from Jing and Yi Province, including Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Fa Zheng, Huang Quan, and Li Yan. His balanced distribution of responsibilities helped stabilize Shu. 402

Liu Bei later received an imperial decree naming him King of Hanzhong, but delayed accepting it while consulting his advisers amid the continuing war. He likewise postponed ascension to the throne after reports of Emperor Xian's death, insisting that the emperor's fate and political legitimacy be confirmed first. 519 685

By the later campaigns, Liu Bei ruled as emperor and personally coordinated operations against Wei, including a feigned attack at Tong Pass to support Guan Yu's wider offensive. After the realm was unified, he performed the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai. 867 931 952 953

Near the end of his life, Liu Bei summoned Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, Xu Shu, Lan Tian, and Crown Prince Liu Shan to Luoyang. He appointed Lan Tian, Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, and Xu Shu as four regents representing the court's major political factions. 954

Personality

Liu Bei consistently presents himself as benevolent, loyal, and committed to restoring the Han. He measures his conduct against Cao Cao's, stating that Cao is urgent, cruel, and treacherous while he must remain patient, benevolent, and loyal—even when abandoning those principles could offer immediate gain. 194

He is highly conscious of time and personal failure. While stalled in Jing Province, he lamented that age was advancing while his achievements remained unrealized; this anxiety became a major source of his determination to seek talent and establish a lasting base. 50 53

Liu Bei is also politically patient. He can display weakness to ease another ruler's suspicions, accept an unfavorable reassignment for strategic benefit, or postpone titles and military action until conditions are favorable. 53 76 196 519

His leadership is tempered by personal loyalty. He treats Lan Tian as a younger brother, values Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as the brothers of the Peach Garden, and is deeply shaken by Guan Yu's critical illness. 155 953 954

Abilities & Skills

Leadership and Talent Recognition

Liu Bei attracts and retains capable subordinates through humility, trust, and carefully considered rewards.

• Personally sought Lan Tian's counsel despite Lan Tian's lack of interest in official service. 29 32
• Appointed Xu Shu as military adviser and repeatedly sought Zhuge Liang until Zhuge Liang accepted. 63 74
• Trusted Zhuge Liang with major administrative and strategic decisions after taking Yi Province. 402 403
• Balanced titles, offices, and military assignments to maintain loyalty among different factions. 155 615 632
• Declared that he did not doubt those he employed, while still recognizing the need to address concerns among his officers. 427

Political Strategy

Liu Bei uses restraint, public legitimacy, and indirect control to expand his position.

• Used agricultural work as a cover to conceal his participation in the Girdle Edict plot against Cao Cao. 42
• Leveraged his formal appointment as Governor of Yuzhou to return to Xiaopei under Cao Cao's protection. 24
• Used humble displays before Liu Biao to gain the Xinye garrison. 53
• Accepted relocation to Guiyang rather than openly resisting Liu Biao's attempt to weaken him. 76
• Declined Zhao Fan's offer to take over Guiyang outright, then controlled its administration through the Chief Clerk's Office. 78
• Refused to immediately seize Liu Zhang's territory, prioritizing popular support and long-term stability. 196

Military Command

Though he relies heavily on advisers and elite generals, Liu Bei can command campaigns, organize troops, and make strategic decisions in person.

• Executed Yang Feng and absorbed his soldiers into his own army. 32
• Defeated Liu Dai and Wang Zhong's forces in Xu Province. 45
• Suppressed the Anlu rebellion with Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, adding the defeated rebels to his forces. 60
• Personally led a Tong Pass campaign as a feint while arranging a pontoon bridge and dispatching Ma Chao to Puban Ferry. 931
• Physically separated Zhang Fei and Ma Chao during their prolonged martial contest. 472

Titles and Offices

Title / Office	Chapter	Notes
Governor of Yuzhou	24	Formally appointed through Cao Cao and the imperial court after fleeing to Xudu.
General of the Left	45	Held while Cao Cao prepared forces to retake Xu Province.
King of Hanzhong	519	Named by imperial decree; Liu Bei delayed acceptance pending consultation.
General of the Academy	693	Served as head of the Military Academy, temporarily established in Guangzhou.
Emperor of Great Han	867	Referred to as emperor during the later imperial period.

Relationships

• Gan Qian — Wife; Liu Bei showed particular concern for her safety after Xiaopei's fall and valued her more deeply than his political marriage to Mi Zhen. 24
• Mi Zhen — Wife in a political marriage; she was pregnant with Liu Bei's hoped-for biological son. 24 72
• Sun Shangxiang — Wife; Liu Bei declined to make her queen, partly because doing so would create succession and factional complications. 529 685
• Liu Shan (Adou) — Son and crown prince; Liu Bei took interest in his education and later summoned him for his final political arrangements. 171 194 954
• Liu Feng — Adopted son; Liu Bei assigned him to guard Xinye when called to Xiangyang. 67
• Guan Yu — Sworn Peach Garden brother, leading general, and trusted governor of Jing Province; Liu Bei was devastated by Guan Yu's illness. 196 953 954
• Zhang Fei — Sworn Peach Garden brother and longtime commander; Liu Bei frequently manages Zhang Fei's impulsiveness but values his growth as a general. 470 471 472
• Zhao Yun — Trusted general who accompanied Liu Bei in campaigns and was appointed Commander of the Left Camp before the Yi Province expedition. 60 196
• Lan Tian (Lan Ziyu) — Brother-in-law, adviser, and trusted confidant; Liu Bei treats him as a younger brother and repeatedly relies on his judgment in military, political, educational, and succession matters. 155 615 693 954
• Zhuge Liang — Chief strategist and close collaborator; Liu Bei sought him through three visits and later entrusted him with major state responsibilities. 74 403 867
• Xu Shu — Military adviser and later one of Liu Bei's four regents. 63 954
• Liu Biao — Host and political superior in Jing Province; their relationship deteriorated as Liu Bei's strength grew and Liu Biao became suspicious. 53 67
• Liu Zhang — Fellow Han clansman whose invitation allowed Liu Bei to enter Yi Province; Liu Zhang trusted Liu Bei as a brother before ultimately surrendering. 196 312
• Cao Cao — Primary rival; Cao Cao identified Liu Bei and himself as the only true heroes of their age. 43 509

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xiaopei and Xu Province

• Returned from Xudu as Governor of Yuzhou and reestablished himself at Xiaopei. 24
• Eliminated Yang Feng, incorporated his troops, and provoked Lu Bu's hostility. 32
• Took Xu Province and defeated Cao Cao's dispatched generals, but later lost the province after failing to follow earlier advice. 45 50

Seeking a Foothold in Jing Province

• Took refuge under Liu Biao, endured months without a command, and secured Xinye through calculated humility. 53
• Suppressed the Anlu rebellion and expanded his strength through surrendered troops. 60
• Recruited Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang to build a stronger strategic leadership. 63 74

Southern Jing and Guiyang

• Accepted transfer to Guiyang and gradually established effective control over the commandery. 76 78
• Gained Liu Qi's naval troops and assisted in consolidating the southern commanderies. 93 98
• Formally took over Jing Province and rewarded the officials who had supported his rise. 153

Yi Province and Shu

• Entered Yi Province under the pretext of campaigning against Zhang Lu. 196
• Rejected an immediate seizure of Liu Zhang's power and instead cultivated local support. 196
• Consolidated Shu through cooperation between his original followers and officials from Jing and Yi Province. 402

Imperial Rule and Unification

• Delayed acceptance of the Hanzhong kingship and later the throne until legitimacy and timing were clearer. 519 685
• Led campaigns against Wei and coordinated with Guan Yu's multi-front offensive. 931
• Unified the realm, restored Great Han, and performed the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai. 952 953
• Established a four-regent arrangement for Liu Shan's future government. 954

Notable Quotes

“My relationship with Cao Cao is like fire and water. He is urgent, I am patient; he is cruel, I am benevolent; he is treacherous, I am loyal.” 194

“Since I first took up arms against the Yellow Turban, I have run between the various warlords. Now, having passed the age of forty, I have achieved nothing.” 50

“If I abandon faith and righteousness for a small gain, how can I face the world?” 194

Trivia

• Liu Bei initially used vegetable farming as a deliberate disguise to conceal his involvement in the Girdle Edict plot against Cao Cao. 42
• Cao Cao considered Liu Bei the only other true hero in the world. 43
• Liu Bei's concern over the return of flesh to his thighs after a sedentary period in Jing Province became his public expression of frustration at lost time. 53
• He ordered a martial contest between Zhang Fei and Ma Chao to promote unity, but ultimately had difficulty stopping their duel. 471