Three Kingdoms History: Liu Bei

First Emperor of Shu and sworn brother of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Officer Details

Wade-Giles: Liu Pei (Hsüan-tê)
Simplified Chinese: 刘备 (玄德)
Pronunciation: Liu² Bei⁴ [Xuan²de²]  

Birthplace: Zhou County, Zhou district
(Presently Zhuo Zhou, He Bei Province)

Name Notes: Liu Bei is commonly referenced by the name, Xian Zhu (先主), ‘First Ruler’ or ‘First Soverign’. Chen Shou, in the Sanguozhi, refers to Liu Bei by this title to indicate the illegitimacy of his dynasty in the eyes of Jin. Sun Quan and his clan are placed on an even lower pedestal.

Rank and Titles

Magistrate of Anxi; Governor of Xia Mi; Gao Tangwei; Magistrate; Bie Bu Sima; Magistrate of Pingyuan; Governor of Pingyuan; Inspector of Yuzhou; General who Conquers the East; Marquis of Yicheng; Imperial Protector of Yuzhou; General of the Left; Imperial Protector of Jingzhou; Commander-in-Chief; Colonel Director of Retainers; Imperial Protector of Yizhou; Prince of Hanzhong; Emperor

Family and Relationships

Liu Sheng (Descended from); Liu Hong (Father); Lady Mi, Lady Sun, Empress Mu (Wives); Empress Gan (Concubine); Liu Shan, Liu Yong, Liu Li (Sons); Liu Feng (Adopted Son); Guan Yu ƒ, Zhang Fei ƒ (Sworn Brothers)

Fact vs. Fiction

Differences Between Fact and Common Fiction

• The Peach Tree Garden oath did not actually take place but Sanguozhi states that Liu, Guan and Zhang ‘slept in the same bed and were as close as brothers.’
• Played a minor role during the Yellow Scarves revolt. Did not fight the Scarves at Wan or save Dong Zhuo. Furthermore, he was 23 years old at this point, not 28.
• Zhang Fei did not whip the imperial inspector. Liu Bei did.
• Was not offered Xuzhou by Tao Qian directly, but was invited to govern by Chen Deng and Kong Rong. He also never offered Xuzhou to Lü Bu.
• Was not acknowledged by Emperor Xian as Imperial Uncle.
• Did not rely on Xu Shu to defend Xinye from Cao Ren and Li Dian. He arranged and carried out the defense himself.
• Defeated Xiahou Dun at Xin Ye, not Zhuge Liang.
• Though involved in Chibi, Wu’s role was greater in history.
• Although Sun Quan was advised by Zhou Yu and Han Ze to keep Liu Bei hostage during his visit to Wu, no such attempt was made, and Liu Bei left without incident.
• Huang Zhong was not chief commander of Shu’s Hanzhong campaign. Liu Bei was.
• Commanded between 40–80,000 troops at Yiling; far fewer than the 700,000 or so mentioned in the novel.
• Had than three sons and some daughters (which were, unfortunately, captured by Cao Chun at Changban Slope).
• Historically Liu Bei was a much more talented commander than the novel makes him out to be.

Literary Appearances

Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 1, 2, 5-7, 11-28, 31-45, 47-49, 51-58, 60-74, 76-84, 85, 86-89, 91, 93, 97, 102-106, 117-120

Sanguozhi: Shu 1

Popular Quotation

Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Chapter 82
Liu Bei said, “However, you may return and tell Sun Quan to wash his neck: the executioner is coming!”
[且放汝回去，說與孫權，洗頸就戮！]

Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Chapter 85
In his testament to Liu Shan, Liu Bei said, “Be vigilant! Be vigilant! If an evil is minor, resist it nonetheless. If a good deed is trifling, perform it all the same. Only wisdom and virtue can truly win men’s devotion.”

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Premium External Linkage

First class external must-reads. Enjoy!

• Zizhi Tongjian Records of Yiling (AD 221–222)
  A detailed recounting of the events surrounding Liu Bei’s defeat at Yiling by Lu Xun. An excellent read.
• link to Liu Bei’s SGZ