In the grand tapestry of the Three Kingdoms, where warlords vied for supremacy, Liu Bei’s rise stands out as one of the most legendary journeys. Unlike Cao Cao, who inherited a powerful bureaucratic and military network, or Sun Quan, who succeeded his father and brother’s established domain, Liu Bei climbed from the very bottom of society to found the Shu Han state – one of the three pillars of the era.
A humble beginning with imperial blood
His ascent was rooted in his earliest years as a humble youth weaving mats and selling straw sandals. Yet even then, the seeds of his future were being sown. A critical turning point came with his unexpected acquisition of Xuzhou (Xu Province), which transformed him from an obscure wanderer into a recognized regional power. This trajectory can be traced through his lineage, character, and the turbulent opportunities of his time.
According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), Liu Bei was “a descendant of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, son of Emperor Jing of Han.” Though such imperial ancestry was common in the late Eastern Han – when countless distant relatives of the Liu clan roamed the land – and conferred no real privilege due to his family’s decline, it provided him with crucial legitimacy. In an age that revered Han orthodoxy, this heritage gave him a natural moral authority to rally supporters.
By his father’s generation, the family had fallen into poverty. His father, Liu Hong, died young, leaving Liu Bei to support his mother by weaving mats and selling sandals in Zhuo County. Far from breaking his spirit, this hardship deepened his empathy for ordinary people and shaped his distinctive approach to leadership.
Character forged in youth
Even as a youth, Liu Bei displayed exceptional qualities. As noted in Pei Songzhi’s annotation to the Sanguozhi, citing the Book of Wei:
“He spoke little, treated others humbly, and never showed his emotions. He loved befriending heroes and chivalrous men – youths flocked to him.”
This humility and emphasis on loyalty became his core social capital. In Zhuo County, he met Guan Yu, a fugitive warrior, and Zhang Fei, a local strongman. Though the famous “Oath in the Peach Garden” is a literary invention from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, historical records confirm they “slept on the same mat and shared a bed like brothers,” underscoring their profound bond.
Guan Yu’s unmatched bravery and unwavering loyalty, combined with Zhang Fei’s ferocity and generosity, formed Liu Bei’s original inner circle – a vital foundation for a man with no clan army or inherited base.
The Yellow Scarves Uprising
The Yellow Turban Rebellion (or Yellow Scarves Uprising) of 184 CE offered Liu Bei his first chance to step onto the historical stage. When the Han court called for local militias to suppress the uprising, Liu Bei – backed by wealthy merchants Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang from Zhongshan – raised a force of villagers and refugees. With Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at his side, he joined the campaign.
Though he achieved no spectacular victories, his consistent battlefield contributions earned him the post of County Commandant of Anxi. Yet this position was fragile. After clashing with a corrupt inspector, he resigned in protest and returned to wandering – a reminder that in a world dominated by warlords, merit alone was not enough without territory or patronage.
Serving under Gongsun Zan
To survive, Liu Bei adopted a pragmatic strategy: allying with stronger powers. He turned to his former classmate Gongsun Zan, a noble-born general who had risen to prominence as a colonel, general, and marquis. Having studied together under the famed scholar Lu Zhi, their shared academic past secured Liu Bei initial trust.
Gongsun Zan appointed him Commander of a Separate Division and later sent him to assist Tian Kai, Inspector of Qing Province (Qingzhou), in resisting Yuan Shao. For his service, Liu Bei was promoted to Administrator of Pingyuan.
There, he revealed his true talent – not just as a warrior, but as a ruler. He “defended against external threats while generously aiding the people within.” His benevolence was so profound that even an assassin sent to kill him was moved by his kindness and confessed instead. This episode, recorded in the Sanguozhi, illustrates how his early emphasis on righteousness matured into a coherent philosophy of governance – and earned him growing renown in Qing and Xu provinces.
The Gift of Xuzhou
Liu Bei’s breakthrough came during the Xu Province crisis of 194 CE. Cao Cao, avenging his father’s murder, launched a brutal invasion of Xu, slaughtering hundreds of thousands of civilians. The aging governor, Tao Qian, desperate and outmatched, appealed to Gongsun Zan for help.
Gongsun Zan dispatched Tian Kai – and Tian Kai, recognizing Liu Bei’s ability and reputation, invited him along. Though Liu Bei commanded only about 1,000 troops, including some Wuhuan cavalry and refugees, he rushed to Xu’s aid. His willingness to stand with Tao Qian in extremis deeply impressed the old governor and its people too, see why Cao Cao could win over strategist Zhuge Liang.
Then fate intervened: Lü Bu, urged by strategist Chen Gong, seized Cao Cao’s base in Yanzhou, leaving only three cities loyal to Cao. Forced to retreat, Cao Cao abandoned the Xuzhou campaign.
With his dying breath, Tao Qian declared to his chief aide Mi Zhu:
“Only Liu Bei can bring peace to this province.”
Mi Zhu and Liu Bei formed a deep bond from then on. He formally entrusted Xu Province to Liu Bei, who thus became Governor of Xuzhou – overnight transforming from a minor official into a major warlord.
Why Xuzhou was no accident
Xu Province was no windfall; it was the culmination of decades of moral investment. Without Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei could not have distinguished himself in battle. Without his humane rule in Pingyuan, he would not have won Tao Qian’s trust. Without his courageous intervention in Xuzhou’s darkest hour, he would never have been chosen as successor.
Even Lü Bu, after his defeat by Cao Cao, sought refuge with Liu Bei – proof that Liu Bei’s stature had grown enough to attract fallen rivals.
Of course, holding Xuzhou proved difficult. His decision to shelter Lü Bu backfired when the latter betrayed him, leading to the loss of the province and renewed exile. But the symbolic and strategic value of his Xuzhou tenure was irreversible: it placed him firmly among the era’s key players.
The foundation of a dynasty
From the streets of Zhuo County to the governorship of Xu Province, Liu Bei’s early rise appears marked by luck – but in truth, it was the inevitable result of his unwavering commitment to benevolence, loyalty, and righteousness, harmonized with the chaos of his age.
This foundation enabled everything that followed: the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage to recruit Zhuge Liang, the conquest of Jingzhou and Yizhou, and ultimately, the founding of Shu Han. His journey reminds us that in an age of swords and treachery, moral character could still be the sharpest weapon of all.
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