Liu Bei (d. 223)

Biography

Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande (玄德), was a Chinese warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty who later became the founding emperor of Shu Han, one of the Three Kingdoms of China.

Timeline

The story of Liu Bei, told in moments.

184 Event

Raised a militia to fight the Yellow Turban Rebellion. His oath of brotherhood with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in a peach garden became one of the most retold scenes in Chinese literature.

Swearing brotherhood in a peach garden. Was the oath genuine? Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at your side. Which brother did you need more?

207 Event

Recruited Zhuge Liang as his strategist after visiting his thatched cottage three times. The young genius initially refused. Liu Bei went back. And back again. Zhuge Liang finally agreed.

Visiting Zhuge Liang's cottage three times. Was persistence your greatest weapon? The young genius refusing twice. What did the third visit change?

208 Event

Allied with Sun Quan to defeat Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs. A combined fleet used fire ships to destroy Cao Cao's navy on the Yangtze River. The victory prevented unification under Cao Cao.

Fire ships on the Yangtze destroying Cao Cao's navy. Were you afraid it wouldn't work? Red Cliffs preventing unification under Cao Cao. Did you want unity or just your piece?

221 Event

Declared himself Emperor of Shu Han, claiming legitimate succession to the fallen Han Dynasty. His territory covered modern Sichuan and parts of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Hubei.

Declaring yourself Emperor of Shu Han. Was that ambition or obligation? Claiming legitimate succession. Did you believe your own claim?

222 Life

Launched a massive invasion of Sun Quan's Wu kingdom to avenge Guan Yu's execution. Lost catastrophically at the Battle of Yiling. The defeat shattered his army and his health.

Invading to avenge Guan Yu. Was that love or strategy? Losing catastrophically at Yiling. Did you know the risk?

223 Death

Died at Baidicheng, entrusting his young son and his kingdom to Zhuge Liang. "If my son proves incompetent, you may take the throne yourself," he said. Zhuge Liang wept and refused.

'If my son proves incompetent, take the throne.' Were you sincere? Zhuge Liang weeping and refusing. Was that loyalty or wisdom?