The year 199 AD marked a pivotal turning point in the life of Liu Bei, transforming him from a politically constrained and closely watched vassal under Cao Cao into an independent warlord once again. This dramatic shift—from subservience in Xuchang to open rebellion in Xu Province (Xuzhou) —was not sudden, but the culmination of strategic patience, political maneuvering, and careful deception, as recorded in both Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi) and dramatized in Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
From Rivals to Uneasy Allies: Liu Bei and Lü Bu in Xu Province
Shortly after Liu Bei assumed control of Xu Province (Xuzhou), an unexpected guest arrived: Lü Bu, defeated by Cao Cao in Yan Province (Yanzhou), came with his remaining forces seeking refuge. Though wary of his former rival, Liu Bei had little choice but to accommodate him for the sake of unity against Cao Cao. He allowed Lü Bu to station his troops at Xiaopei.
Meanwhile, Yuan Shu in the south coveted Xu Province. Envious that Liu Bei had gained it so easily, Yuan Shu launched an attack. In a stunning betrayal, Lü Bu seized the opportunity while Liu Bei was engaged with Yuan Shu, launching a surprise assault on Xiapi, driving out Zhang Fei, and taking control of Xu Province.
Yet, Lü Bu had not tried eliminate Liu Bei. Instead, he allowed Liu Bei to garrison at Xiaopei—partly to maintain a buffer against both Cao Cao and Yuan Shu.
Tactics of Survival: Liu Bei’s Retreat and Rebuilding
Refusing to be broken, Liu Bei adopted a strategy of concealing his ambitions. He outwardly appeased Lü Bu while secretly recruiting soldiers and amassing resources, waiting for the right moment to reclaim his lost territory.
His patience paid off when Lü Bu’s envoys were robbed by Liu Bei’s troops during a horse-buying mission. Using this as a pretext, Lü Bu attacked and defeated Liu Bei, forcing him to flee. With no other options, Liu Bei sought refuge with Cao Cao.
Later, Cao Cao launched a campaign against Lü Bu, defeated him, and executed him. However, Cao Cao had no intention of restoring Liu Bei. Instead, he appointed Che Zhou as the new Governor of Xuzhou, absorbing the region into his own domain. To neutralize Liu Bei, Cao Cao brought him back to Xuchang, effectively placing him under house arrest.
The Secret Plot: The “Girdle Edict”
In Xuchang, Liu Bei remained under constant surveillance. But Emperor Xian of Han, oppressed by Cao Cao’s growing power, secretly conspired with Dong Cheng to overthrow the warlord. Recognizing Liu Bei’s status as a Han imperial clansman and his potential as a leader, they invited him to join their secret coalition.
This event, known as the “Imperial Belt Edict” (Girdle Edict) in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, became a cornerstone of anti-Cao resistance. Though Liu Bei joined the plot in secret, he carefully concealed his involvement, knowing that Cao Cao’s “holding the emperor to command the nobles” strategy made any open defiance suicidal.
Aware that his imperial lineage made him a natural threat to Cao Cao, Liu Bei deliberately hid his ambitions and avoided suspicion.
The Art of Deception: The Vegetable Garden and the Wine Feast
Historical records note that Liu Bei engaged in trade and profit-making to avoid suspicion, even personally tending a vegetable garden in his residence in Xuchang to project an image of a man without grand ambitions, content with a quiet life.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms amplifies this detail: when Xu Chu and Zhang Liao arrived to summon Liu Bei to a banquet, he was seen watering vegetables in his garden, reacting with apparent shock—”Why have you come?”—to feign humility and fear, successfully deceiving some of Cao Cao’s men.
Cao Cao, however, was not so easily fooled. He invited Liu Bei to a famous wine-drinking session in his backyard garden—the “Boiling Wine and Discussing Heroes” episode. During the feast, as thunder rumbled in the sky, Cao Cao declared:
“The only true heroes in the world are you and I!”
This statement shattered Liu Bei’s façade. Realizing his ambitions had been seen through, Liu Bei dropped his chopsticks in simulated fear of the thunder, later explaining:
“I study gardening to show Cao Cao I have no ambition. Yet he calls me a hero! I dropped my chopsticks in fright. Fearing suspicion, I used the thunder as cover.”
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 21
His companions, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, praised his wisdom.
The Opportunity: Intercepting Yuan Shu
In 199 AD, a golden opportunity arose. Yuan Shu, having failed in his imperial pretensions and abandoned by his allies, sought to flee north to join his brother Yuan Shao. Cao Cao needed someone to intercept him.
Liu Bei volunteered immediately. At the time, key advisors Guo Jia and Cheng Yu were absent, and Cao Cao, perhaps underestimating Liu Bei’s resolve or trusting his act, granted permission.
Liu Bei quickly assembled Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and 50,000 troops, eager to leave Xuchang. Before departure, he urged his generals to march swiftly, fearing Cao Cao might change his mind.
When Guan Yu and Zhang Fei asked why the haste, Liu Bei replied:
“I have been a caged bird, a fish in a net. This journey is like a fish returning to the sea, a bird soaring into the sky—free from cages and nets!”
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 21
Refusing Recall and Seizing Xu Province
After Liu Bei’s departure, Guo Jia and Cheng Yu returned and warned Cao Cao:
“Liu Bei is a threat! Do not let him go!”
Cao Cao regretted his decision and sent Xu Chu to recall him.
But Liu Bei refused, marking the first open defiance.
Upon reaching Xu Province, Liu Bei intercepted Yuan Shu, thwarting his northern advance. And Yuan Shu died shortly after that. After completing the mission, Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao suggested returning to Xuchang. But Liu Bei now saw his chance.
He understood that returning to Xuchang would risk exposure of the Imperial Belt Edict plot, leading to certain death. Moreover, Xu Province was weakly guarded. Che Zhou, Cao Cao’s loyalist governor, held little power. It was the perfect moment to seize territory and declare independence.
When Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao realized Liu Bei’s intent, they could do nothing but return to Xuchang and report to Cao Cao.
Killing Che Zhou and Defying Cao Cao
Liu Bei then ambushed and killed Che Zhou, took control of Pengcheng and Xuzhou, and formally declared rebellion against Cao Cao. With Guan Yu and Zhang Fei by his side, he once again claimed Xu Province as his base.
This bold move ended his period of concealment and marked the beginning of open conflict with Cao Cao, setting the stage for the larger struggles of the Three Kingdoms era.
Leave a Reply