In 194 AD, Cao Cao launched a massive invasion of Xu Province (Xuzhou) to punish Tao Qian for the murder of his father, Cao Song. Overwhelmed by Cao Cao’s forces, Tao Qian was unable to resist. Liu Bei, then a minor warlord, personally led reinforcements to aid Xu Province, demonstrating his growing reputation for righteousness.
However, the tide turned when Lü Bu, allied with Cao Cao’s disgruntled officers, seized control of Yan Province (Yanzhou), threatening Cao Cao’s base. Forced to retreat, Cao Cao abandoned the siege of Xu Province to deal with the rebellion.
Liu Bei’s entry into Xuzhou
After Cao Cao’s withdrawal, Liu Bei stationed his troops at Xiaopei. Soon after, Tao Qian fell gravely ill. On his deathbed, he told his chief advisor Mi Zhu:
“Only Liu Bei can bring peace to Xu Province.”
Upon Tao Qian’s death, Mi Zhu led the people of Xu Province in welcoming Liu Bei as their new governor. Thus, Liu Bei gained his first significant territorial base.
Later, after Cao Cao reclaimed Yan Province and expelled Lü Bu, the defeated warlord fled south and sought refuge with Liu Bei in Xu Province—planting the seeds of future betrayal.
The betrayal of Lü Bu
In 196 AD, Yuan Shu marched on Xu Province. Liu Bei led his army to confront Yuan Shu, leaving Zhang Fei in charge of defending the capital, Xiapi. However, Lü Bu, seizing the opportunity, betrayed Liu Bei, captured Xiapi, and took Liu Bei’s wife and family as captives.
Stripped of his base, Liu Bei was reduced to leading a ragged force, wandering through Guangling and Haixi. At this lowest point, Mi Zhu stood by Liu Bei with unwavering loyalty. Not only did he contribute his entire fortune and thousands of family retainers to Liu Bei’s cause, but he also gave his younger sister in marriage to Liu Bei—strengthening their bond both personally and politically.
Thanks to Mi Zhu’s support, Liu Bei was able to rebuild his strength.
Cao Cao’s deception strategy
Upon hearing of Mi Zhu’s devotion, Cao Cao attempted to sow discord within Liu Bei’s ranks by offering Mi Zhu and his brother Mi Fang high positions. However, both brothers refused the honors, choosing instead to remain loyal to Liu Bei through exile and hardship.
Seeking refuge with Liu Biao
Later, when Liu Bei considered seeking refuge with Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province(Jingzhou), Mi Zhu served as Liu Bei’s envoy, traveling to Jingzhou to negotiate the alliance—demonstrating his crucial role as a diplomat.
After the Battle of Red Cliffs
Following the Battle of Red Cliffs (208 AD), Liu Bei secured control of Jing Province. Soon, Sun Quan demanded the return of Jingzhou. Mi Zhu advised Liu Bei to delay by promising to return it after conquering Xichuan (Sichuan), thereby securing Jingzhou as a strategic stronghold and buying time for Liu Bei to seize Xichuan and establish Shu Han.
Liu Bei then led Mi Zhu, Zhuge Liang, and others into Sichuan to conquer Yizhou from Liu Zhang. Meanwhile, Mi Fang remained in Jing Province with Guan Yu to defend the strategic region.
Liu Bei’s entry into Yizhou
In 214 AD, after Liu Bei successfully took Yizhou, he appointed Mi Zhu as General Who Pacifies Han—a title of such prestige that his rank surpassed even that of Zhuge Liang, who held the title of General of the Army. Mi Zhu received the highest honors among all of Liu Bei’s ministers, a testament to his indispensable early support.
The fall of Jingzhou
In 219 AD, after Guan Yu achieved a stunning victory by flooding Fancheng, he launched a northern campaign against Cao Ren. But Lü Meng of Eastern Wu, exploiting Guan Yu’s absence, launched a surprise attack across the Yangtze and captured Jing Province.
Mi Fang, then serving as Governor of Nan Commandery, failed to reinforce Guan Yu. Instead, when Lü Meng’s forces approached, he surrendered the city of Jiangling without a fight. This betrayal sealed Guan Yu’s fate, leading to his defeat and execution, and the complete loss of Jing Province—a catastrophic blow to Shu Han’s strategic ambitions.
When Mi Zhu learned of his brother’s treason, he was overwhelmed with shame and grief. He bound himself and went to Liu Bei to beg for punishment. But Liu Bei, in an act of extraordinary mercy, reassured him:
“My brother’s crime is not yours. You are not to blame.”
He continued to treat Mi Zhu with the same respect and kindness.
Despite Liu Bei’s forgiveness, Mi Zhu could not forgive himself. Haunted by his brother’s betrayal, he lived in constant sorrow and depression. He died soon after, his spirit broken by the weight of familial disgrace.
Historical Reality vs. Romance
According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Mi Zhu was indeed a crucial early supporter of Liu Bei, providing immense financial and logistical backing. However, his role was primarily that of a quartermaster and diplomat—not a strategist or military commander as sometimes portrayed in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
He was responsible for supplying troops, managing resources, and conducting diplomatic missions, such as negotiations with Sun Quan. He rarely participated in strategic planning.
After Mi Fang’s surrender to Wu, Liu Bei did not punish Mi Zhu, and Mi Zhu died of illness, not from guilt or shame. The dramatic narrative of self-imposed punishment and death from remorse is a fictional embellishment added in later literary traditions to heighten the emotional tragedy of the fall of Jingzhou.
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