Liu Bei, also known as Xuande, was from Zhuo County in Zhuo Commandery and a descendant of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, the son of Emperor Jing of Han. Liu Zhen, the son of Liu Sheng, was granted the title of Marquis of Landchengting in Zhuo County in the sixth year of Yuanshou. Later, due to the Zhuojin scandal, he was stripped of his title and remained in Zhuo County. Liu Bei's grandfather Liu Xiong, father Liu Hong, and Liu Bei himself served as local officials for three generations. Liu Xiong was once recognized as a filial and incorruptible official and held the position of Fanling in Dong Commandery.
Liu Bei lost his father at a young age, and he and his mother earned a living selling straw sandals and weaving mats. In the southeast corner of their house, there was a mulberry tree that stood over five zhang tall. From a distance, the dense canopy of the tree looked like a small cart cover. People passing by often felt that this tree was unusual, and they all said that someone important would emerge from under this tree in the future. As a child, Liu Bei often played under the tree with other kids from his clan. He once said, "I will definitely ride in this kind of feathered carriage in the future!" His uncle Liu Zijing cautioned him, saying, "Don't talk nonsense, or you will bring ruin to our family!" When Liu Bei was fifteen years old, his mother sent him off to study. He studied with Liu Deran from the same clan and Gongsun Zan from Liaoxi, under Lu Zhi, the Prefect of Jiujiang. Liu Yuanqi, Liu Deran's father, frequently helped both Liu Bei and Liu Deran. Liu Yuanqi's wife once remarked, "Everyone has their own family, how can we always be like this?" Liu Yuanqi replied, "Our family has raised such a child; he's not an ordinary person!" Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei had a good relationship, since Gongsun Zan was older, Liu Bei regarded him as a brother. Liu Bei was not very fond of studying; he enjoyed raising dogs, riding horses, listening to music, and wearing fine clothes. He was seven feet and five inches tall, and his arms reached his knees when hanging down; he could see his ears when he turned his head. He wasn't much of a talker, but he was great at socializing and did not easily show his emotions. He liked to make friends with heroes, and many people vied for his favor when he was young. The wealthy merchants Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang from Zhongshan, with assets worth thousands of gold, often traded horses in Zhuo County. They found Liu Bei to be remarkable and gave him a lot of money. With this money, Liu Bei managed to recruit a group of followers and horses.
When Emperor Ling of Han was about to die, the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, and various states and counties organized volunteer armies. Liu Bei followed his superior, Colonel Zou Jing, to suppress the Yellow Turban bandits, earned merit, and was appointed as the County Commandant of Anxi. Later, an inspector arrived in the county on official business, and Liu Bei wanted to pay him a visit, but he was utterly ignored. Fuming with anger, Liu Bei stormed in, tied up the inspector, gave him two hundred lashes, then took off the inspector's official seal, strapped it around his neck, fastened it to the horse's tail, and rode away. (This was an act of rebellion.) Afterwards, Liu Bei resigned without a second thought and fled.
After some time, Grand General He Jin sent Commandant Guanqiu Yi to gather troops in Danyang, and Liu Bei went along. Upon reaching Xiapi, they encountered bandits, and Liu Bei fought bravely, earned more merit, and was appointed as the Magistrate of Xiami County. However, he soon stepped down again. Later, he became the Commandant of Gaotang County, and then was promoted to County Prefect. When the county was attacked by bandits and fell to them, he went to join Colonel Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan valued him and recommended him for a command position, allowing him to resist Yuan Shao, the Governor of Jizhou, alongside Tian Kai, the Inspector of Qingzhou. Liu Bei repeatedly recorded military successes on the battlefield, and was later appointed as the Magistrate of Pingyuan County, and then further promoted to the Prefect of Pingyuan County.
In Pingyuan County, a commoner named Liu Ping looked down on Liu Bei, ashamed to be under his command. So, he hired an assassin to eliminate Liu Bei. Unexpectedly, when the assassin laid eyes on Liu Bei, he couldn't go through with it, told Liu Bei about the plan, and left. This just goes to show how well-liked Liu Bei truly was!
Yuan Shao fought against Gongsun Zan, while Liu Bei and Tian Kai stationed their troops in the Qi territory. Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou, and the Governor of Xuzhou, Tao Qian, sent a messenger to request assistance from Tian Kai. Tian Kai and Liu Bei went to provide assistance together. At that time, Liu Bei brought over a thousand soldiers with him, as well as the Wuhuan and Hu cavalry from Youzhou, and recruited several thousand desperate people. After arriving in Xuzhou, Tao Qian gave Liu Bei four thousand Danyang troops, and Liu Bei left Tian Kai to follow Tao Qian. Tao Qian recommended Liu Bei for the position of Inspector of Yuzhou and stationed him in Xiaopei. When Tao Qian was seriously ill, he told his assistant Mi Zhu, "Only Liu Bei can bring stability to this province!" After Tao Qian passed away, Mi Zhu led the people of Xuzhou to welcome Liu Bei, who was initially reluctant to accept. Chen Deng of Xiapi said to Liu Bei, "With the Han Dynasty in decline and the world in chaos, the opportunity to achieve greatness is now! Xuzhou is rich and populous, with a million people, and we want you to come and govern the province." Liu Bei replied, "Yuan Shu is nearby in Shou Chun. He comes from a long line of nobles, four generations and five dukes strong, and everyone in the world is under his command. You can hand Xuzhou over to him." Chen Deng said, "Yuan Shu is arrogant and domineering, not someone who should govern the world. Now I want to help you gather one hundred thousand infantry and cavalry. With this, you can support the Han Dynasty, relieve the people, achieve greatness, and make a name for yourself in history. If you disagree, I wouldn't dare go against your wishes." Kong Rong, the Minister of North Sea, also said to Liu Bei, "What does someone like Yuan Shu care about the country or its people? What’s there to worry about the bones of the dead? Today's opportunity has been given to you by fate. If you don't seize it, you will regret it later!"
Liu Bei accepted the position of Governor of Xuzhou. Yuan Shu attacked Liu Bei, but Liu Bei blocked him in Xuyi and Huaiyin. Cao Cao recommended Liu Bei as General of the East and granted him the title of Marquis of Yicheng in the first year of Jian'an. Liu Bei and Yuan Shu were stalemated for over a month, and Lu Bu took the opportunity to attack Xiapi. Cao Bao, the defender of Xiapi, betrayed Liu Bei and secretly welcomed Lu Bu. Lu Bu captured Liu Bei's wife and children, so Liu Bei retreated to Haixi with his army. Yang Feng and Han Xian caused trouble in Xu Province and Yang Province; Liu Bei fought against them and killed them all. Liu Bei asked for peace with Lu Bu, who returned his wife and children. Liu Bei sent Guan Yu to guard Xiapi.
Liu Bei initially set up camp in Xiaopei, recruiting more soldiers, with a total of around ten thousand soldiers. Lu Bu held him in contempt and personally led an attack against Liu Bei. Liu Bei was defeated and fled to Cao Cao. Cao Cao treated Liu Bei favorably and appointed him as Governor of Yu Province. As Liu Bei approached Pei County, Cao Cao supplied him with additional troops, provisions, and reinforcements to go east to fight against Lu Bu. Lu Bu sent Gao Shun to attack Liu Bei, and Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun to rescue him, but failed and was defeated by Gao Shun. Lu Bu also captured Liu Bei's wife. Later, Cao Cao personally led his troops east to assist Liu Bei in besieging Lu Bu in Xiapi, eventually capturing Lu Bu alive. Liu Bei also rescued his wife and returned with Cao Cao to Xuchang. Cao Cao promoted Liu Bei to General of the Left, showing him increasing respect by traveling in the same carriage and dining at the same table.
Yuan Shu wanted to pass through Xuzhou and head north to join Yuan Shao, so Cao Cao sent Liu Bei with Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to attack Yuan Shu. Before they arrived, Yuan Shu died of illness. "The heroes of the world are only you and me. The followers of Yuan Shu are not worth mentioning." This was spoken by Cao Cao! Liu Bei was eating when he heard this and dropped his chopsticks in shock. Earlier, Dong Cheng, the uncle of Emperor Xian of Han and General of Chariots and Cavalry, secretly gave Liu Bei the secret imperial decree to help him eliminate Cao Cao. However, Liu Bei hesitated to act. Cao Cao calmly said to Liu Bei, "Now, the heroes of the world are only you and me. Yuan Shao's people are not worth mentioning." Liu Bei was eating at the time and was shocked. Later, Liu Bei conspired with Dong Cheng, Changshui Cavalry Commander Zhong, General Wu Zilan, Wang Zifu, and others. Before they could put their plan into action, it was exposed, and Dong Cheng and the others were killed. Liu Bei occupied Xiapi. When Zhu Ling and the others returned, Liu Bei killed the Inspector of Xuzhou, Che Zhou, left Guan Yu to guard Xiapi, and returned to Xiaopei. Chang Ba of Donghai rebelled, and many counties betrayed Cao Cao and joined Liu Bei, boosting his forces by several thousand men. He also sent Sun Qian to contact Yuan Shao, but they were unsuccessful in the attack. Five years later, Cao Cao launched an eastern campaign against Liu Bei and defeated him. Cao Cao absorbed Liu Bei's troops and captured both Liu Bei's wife and Guan Yu. When Liu Bei left Qingzhou, the Inspector of Qingzhou, Yuan Tan, whom Liu Bei had previously recommended as a capable officer, personally led troops to welcome Liu Bei. Liu Bei followed Yuan Tan to Pingyuan, and Yuan Tan sent someone to inform Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao dispatched troops to intercept Liu Bei on his way, and he himself came out from Ye City for two hundred miles to meet Liu Bei. They spent over a month together, and the soldiers who had been lost earlier gradually returned.
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao confronted at Guandu, where the leader of the Yellow Turban rebels in Runan, Liu Bi, and others betrayed Cao Cao and joined Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao then sent Liu Bei to lead troops alongside Liu Bi to attack Xuchang. At this point, Guan Yu escaped and rejoined Liu Bei. Cao Cao dispatched Cao Ren to attack Liu Bei, who then returned to Yuan Shao's army. However, Liu Bei wished to distance himself from Yuan Shao, so he persuaded Yuan Shao to form an alliance with Liu Biao, the Governor of Jingzhou. Yuan Shao then sent Liu Bei to return to Runan with Gong Du and other bandit leaders, amassing an army of several thousand troops. Cao Cao dispatched Cai Yang to attack them, but Liu Bei defeated him.
After defeating Yuan Shao, Cao Cao attacked Liu Bei from the south. Liu Bei sent Mi Zhu and Sun Qian to contact Liu Biao, who personally welcomed Liu Bei outside the city with the highest honors, increased his troops, and stationed Liu Bei in Xinye. Heroes from Jingzhou flocked to Liu Bei, causing Liu Biao to begin to suspect Liu Bei and secretly guard against him. He sent Liu Bei to confront Xiahou Dun, Yu Jin, and others at Bowang. After some time, Liu Bei set fire to the camp and feigned retreat. Xiahou Dun and his men pursued, only to be ambushed and defeated.
Twelve years later, Cao Cao launched a northern campaign against the Wuhuan tribe. Liu Bei advised Liu Biao to take advantage of this opportunity to attack Xuchang, but Liu Biao ignored him. Cao Cao then marched south to confront Liu Biao, who had just passed away. His son, Liu Cong, succeeded him and sent envoys to surrender to Cao Cao. Liu Bei was stationed in Fancheng, unaware that Cao Cao had arrived. Only upon reaching Wancheng did he learn the news, prompting him to leave immediately with his army. Passing by Xiangyang, Zhuge Liang advised Liu Bei to attack Liu Cong in order to obtain Jingzhou. Liu Bei replied, "I can't bring myself to do that!" So he sent someone to call Liu Cong out, but Liu Cong was too frightened to show himself. Many of Liu Cong's subordinates and residents of Jingzhou defected to Liu Bei. By the time they reached Dangyang, Liu Bei's army had grown to over 100,000 men with thousands of supply carts, though they could only cover a dozen miles each day. Liu Bei also sent Guan Yu with hundreds of boats to meet up with the army in Jiangling. Some urged Liu Bei to quickly secure Jiangling, as, despite their large numbers, they lacked armored soldiers. Liu Bei said, "To accomplish great things, we must put people first. Now that everyone has submitted to me, how can I bear to abandon them?" Cao Cao learned that Jiangling had stockpiled a significant amount of military supplies and was worried that Liu Bei would seize them first, so he abandoned a significant amount of baggage and supplies and hurried to Xiangyang. Upon learning that Liu Bei had already passed, Cao Cao led a force of five thousand elite cavalry in pursuit. They rode day and night for over 300 miles, finally catching up with Liu Bei at Changban Slope in Dangyang. Liu Bei abandoned his wife and children and fled with Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and a few dozen cavalry. Cao Cao scored a decisive victory in this battle, capturing many and seizing a substantial amount of supplies.
Liu Bei made his way to Hanzhong, leaning slightly to the side, just as he encountered a boat, successfully crossing the Mian River. He then met his cousin Liu Qi, the Prefect of Jiangxia, who brought along more than ten thousand troops. They arrived at Xiakou together. Liu Bei sent Zhuge Liang to forge a connection with Sun Quan. Sun Quan sent Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu with tens of thousands of naval troops to join forces with Liu Bei. They fought Cao Cao at Chibi, defeating him and burning his ships. Liu Bei and the Wu forces advanced in unison, pursuing Cao Cao all the way to Nanyang, only to encounter a plague there. Cao Cao's army suffered devastating losses, which forced him to retreat.
Liu Bei recommended Liu Qi for the position of Inspector of Jingzhou and subdued four commanderies in the south. The Prefects of Wuling, Changsha, Guiyang, and Lingling surrendered, including Lei Xu, the Prefect of Lujiang. Following Liu Qi's death, Liu Bei was appointed as the Governor of Jingzhou and established his office in Gong'an. Sun Quan, fearing Liu Bei's growing power, offered Liu Bei his sister in marriage to strengthen their ties. Liu Bei also visited Sun Quan in the capital to deepen their bond. Sun Quan proposed a joint attack on Shu with Liu Bei, but ultimately refrained from crossing Jingzhou to launch an attack on Shu, which allowed Liu Bei to gain control of the region.
Jingzhou's Registrar Yin Guan suggested, "If we serve as the vanguard for Sun Quan's attack on Shu and it fails, we will find ourselves at Sun Quan's mercy when we return. The best course of action now is to outwardly support Sun Quan's attack on Shu, but also to state that the newly acquired commanderies are still unstable, so we cannot act rashly for now. This way, Sun Quan won't dare to launch a solo attack on Shu. This strategy will allow us to reap benefits from both Wu and Shu." Liu Bei took Yin Guan's advice, and indeed, Sun Quan abandoned his plans to attack Shu. Later on, Liu Bei promoted Yin Guan to a higher office.
In the year 16 AD, the Governor of Yizhou, Liu Zhang, heard that Cao Cao was planning to send Zhong Yao and others to attack Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, and he felt particularly anxious. One of his subordinates, Zhang Song, advised him, "Cao Cao's army is invincible. If he takes the opportunity to conquer Shu while attacking Zhang Lu, who can stop him?" Liu Zhang said, "I am also worried about this, but I haven't figured out a way yet." Zhang Song continued, "Liu Bei is a relative of yours and a nemesis of Cao Cao. He is skilled in warfare. If you let him attack Zhang Lu, Zhang Lu will surely be defeated. Once Zhang Lu is defeated, Yizhou will be safe. Even if Cao Cao comes, he will not be able to harm us." Liu Zhang found this reasonable and sent Fa Zheng with four thousand men to greet Liu Bei, bringing along a wealth of gifts. Fa Zheng also detailed strategies to take over Yizhou. Liu Bei left Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and others to guard Jingzhou, while he led tens of thousands of infantry into Yizhou. Upon reaching Fucheng, Liu Zhang personally welcomed him, and they were both very happy to meet. Zhang Song advised Fa Zheng to privately tell Liu Bei that the strategist Pang Tong also suggested taking advantage of this opportunity to directly take over Liu Zhang. Liu Bei said, "This is a major matter and cannot be rushed." Liu Zhang appointed Liu Bei as Grand Marshal and Colonel of the Masters of Writing, while Liu Bei appointed Liu Zhang as General of the West and permitted him to retain his position as Governor of Yizhou. Liu Zhang also increased Liu Bei's troops and tasked him with attacking Zhang Lu and supervising the operations of the Baishui forces. Liu Bei now had over thirty thousand troops, with plenty of weapons, equipment, and supplies. That year, Liu Zhang returned to Chengdu. Liu Bei headed north to Jiameng Pass, but rather than launching an immediate attack on Zhang Lu, he concentrated on winning the people's hearts by showing kindness and garnering their support.
Next year, Cao Cao plans to attack Sun Quan, so Sun Quan hurriedly sent someone to request Liu Bei's assistance. Liu Bei sent someone to tell Liu Zhang, "Cao Cao is attacking Wu, and the situation in Wu is dire! The Sun family and we have always been closely allied, and now Yue Jin is in a stalemate with Guan Yu at Qingni. If we don't come to Guan Yu's aid, Yue Jin will surely win and then come directly to attack us; we will be in greater danger than Lu Su's side, as the bandits over there are hardly a threat." So Liu Bei requested ten thousand troops and military supplies from Liu Zhang to prepare for an eastern campaign. Liu Zhang gave him only four thousand soldiers and half of the supplies. Zhang Song wrote to Liu Bei and Fa Zheng, stating, "Our grand plan is on the verge of success; how can we give up this opportunity!" Zhang Song's brother, Zhang Su, the Prefect of Guanghan, fearing repercussions, informed Liu Zhang about Zhang Song's plan. This resulted in a full-blown conflict between him and Liu Bei. Liu Zhang ordered the generals at the pass to cease all communication with Liu Bei. Liu Bei was livid when he heard this! He summoned the commander Yang Huai, whom Liu Zhang had sent to the Bai Shui Army, harshly reprimanded him for his insolence, and executed him on the spot. Liu Bei then dispatched Huang Zhong and Zhuo Ying to lead an attack against Liu Zhang.
Liu Bei personally led his troops to Guanzhong, leaving the families of the soldiers there as collateral, and then, alongside Huang Zhong and Zhang Fei, they advanced to Fucheng and took control of the city. Liu Zhang sent Liu Gui, Leng Bao, Zhang Ren, Deng Xian, and others to oppose Liu Bei in Fucheng, but they were all defeated and forced to retreat to Mianzhu. Liu Zhang then sent Li Yan to supervise the troops in Mianzhu, but Li Yan ended up surrendering to Liu Bei. As Liu Bei's army grew stronger, he sent troops to subdue the surrounding counties. Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun led troops up the river, capturing Baidi City, Jiangzhou, and Jiangyang, while Guan Yu stayed behind in Jingzhou to defend it. Liu Bei continued his attack, besieging Luo City; at that time, Liu Zhang's son Liu Xun defended the city and was surrounded for nearly a year.
In the summer of the 19th year of the Han dynasty, Luo City was breached, and after several weeks of siege, Liu Zhang surrendered. Shu was rich and peaceful, and Liu Bei hosted a feast for the soldiers, rewarding them with the gold and silver found in Chengdu, and returning food and cloth to them. Liu Bei reassumed the position of Governor of Yizhou, with Zhuge Liang as his chief advisor, Fa Zheng as his military advisor, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Ma Chao as his capable generals, and Xu Jing, Mi Zhu, and Jian Yong as his friends and guests. Even Dong He, Huang Quan, Li Yan, Wu Yi, Fei Guan, Peng Yang, and Liu Ba, who had been favored by Liu Zhang, were entrusted with important tasks by Liu Bei, enabling them to fully showcase their talents. Ambitious individuals eagerly sought to serve.
In the second year, Sun Quan heard that Liu Bei had already obtained Yi Province, so he sent envoys to request Jing Province. Liu Bei said, "Once I’ve taken Liang Province, I’ll give you Jing Province." Sun Quan was furious, so he sent Lu Meng to launch a surprise attack and capture Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang. Liu Bei led an army of fifty thousand to Gong'an, ordering Guan Yu to advance to Yiyang. That year, Cao Cao pacified Hanzhong, and Zhang Lu fled to Baxi. After hearing this, Liu Bei mended ties with Sun Quan, agreeing that Jingzhou, Jiangxia, Changsha, and Guiyang would be assigned to Eastern Wu, while Nanjun, Lingling, and Wuling would belong to Liu Bei. Then Liu Bei withdrew his forces back to Jiangzhou. Liu Bei sent Huang Quan to meet Zhang Lu, but Zhang Lu had already capitulated to Cao Cao. Cao Cao sent Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He to guard Hanzhong, frequently encroaching on the borders of Ba Shu. Liu Bei ordered Zhang Fei to attack Dangqu, where he clashed with Zhang He at Wakou, defeating Zhang He. Zhang He retreated to Nanzheng, and Liu Bei then returned to Chengdu. In the year 23 AD, Liu Bei led his generals to attack Hanzhong. He separately sent generals such as Wu Lan and Lei Tong to march to Wudu, but they were all captured by Cao Cao's army. Liu Bei stationed himself at Yangping Pass, in a standoff against Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He, and others. In the spring of 218 AD, Liu Bei set out from Yangping, crossed the Mian River, and slowly advanced along the mountain road, setting up a military base near Dingjun Mountain. Cao Cao's general Xiahou Yuan arrived to seize the territory. Liu Bei ordered Huang Zhong to occupy advantageous terrain, beat the drums, shout loudly, and launch a fierce attack on Xiahou Yuan's army. As a result, he scored a significant victory, not only defeating Xiahou Yuan's forces but also killing Xiahou Yuan and Zhao Yun, Cao Cao's appointed Governor of Yi Province.
This message reached Cao Cao's ears, since he was leading his troops south from Chang'an! However, Liu Bei remained calm and said from a distance to everyone, "Although Cao Cao has arrived, it won't make any difference. Hanzhong will eventually be mine!" After Cao Cao's army arrived, Liu Bei consolidated his forces, held a strong defense using the terrain, and avoided direct conflict with Cao Cao. This stalemate lasted for several months, with Liu Bei's soldiers suffering daily casualties.
By summer, Cao Cao realized that the battle could not be won and had to pull back his troops. As a result, Hanzhong was fully secured by Liu Bei. Capitalizing on his victory, Liu Bei sent generals such as Liu Feng, Meng Da, and Li Ping to attack Shen Dan, who was stationed in Shangyong.
In autumn, many ministers came together to petition Liu Bei to become the King of Hanzhong. They then wrote a memorial to Emperor Xian of Han, which essentially stated: "In ancient times, even with the wise Emperor Yao, there were still the Four Evils causing chaos in the court; King Cheng of Zhou was virtuous, yet four countries still attacked. Empress Lü usurped power, and the Lü family tried to seize the throne; when Emperor Xiaozhao was young, the official Jie dared to rebel. All of this was because those in power acted unlawfully and nearly destroyed the country. If it weren't for formidable individuals like Shun, Duke of Zhou, Zhu Xuhou, and Bolu Hou, the country would have descended into chaos long ago."
Your Majesty, you are wise and brave, governing the realm, yet you have encountered such immense challenges. Dong Zhuo first caused chaos, destroying the capital; Cao Cao then rose in rebellion, seizing power; the Empress and the Crown Prince were both poisoned, resulting in chaos across the land and suffering for the populace. Your Majesty has long suffered in isolation; the country lacks strong leadership, the Emperor's commands go unheard, and the imperial authority is on the verge of being usurped. General Liu Bei, the Governor of Yu, Jing, and Yi, and Marquis of Yicheng, was granted a title by the court, always eager to serve the nation and contribute to its welfare. He clearly understood the dire situation and was filled with rage, joining forces with General Dong Cheng of the Chariots and Cavalry to eliminate Cao Cao, aiming to stabilize the realm and restore the old capital. Regrettably, Dong Cheng's efforts fell short, allowing Cao Cao to escape and continue his tyranny against the people. We, the ministers, fear daily that the realm may descend into chaos again, unable to sleep at night, consumed by constant fear.
In the past, the Book of Documents emphasized the importance of clan relationships, and the Zhou Dynasty also valued vassals of the same surname. The Book of Songs also recorded these, indicating that this has been a long-standing rule. When the Han Dynasty was first established, land was also granted to the imperial clan, which enabled the suppression of the rebellion of the various Lüs, laying the foundation for Emperor Taizong. We, the ministers, are all trusted confidants of Liu Bei, and we all have the country in our hearts, thinking about quelling the rebellion. Since Cao Cao was defeated in Hanzhong, heroes from all over the world have come to join Liu Bei, but Liu Bei's title is not high enough and he has not received the Nine Bestowments, which undermines the stability of the country and his family's honor. With Liu Bei currently leading troops outside, the court's orders cannot reach him. In the past, when Liang Tong and others rose up in Hanzhong, as they were in a mountainous region with similar status, they could not command one another, so they elected Dou Rong as the marshal, which led them to victory over Wei Xiao. The current crisis facing the country resembles the situation in Longxi and Shu back then. Cao Cao has conquered the world, harmed the ministers, and the court also faces internal dangers, yet measures to defend against external threats have yet to be put in place, which is truly disheartening.
Therefore, based on the previous system, we propose appointing Liu Bei as the King of Hanzhong and naming him Grand Marshal, commanding the army, uniting the various vassals, and eliminating the enemy. His territories will include Hanzhong, Bajun, Shujun, Guanghanjun, and Jianweijun, and the administrative system will follow the model of the early Han vassal kings. As a temporary measure, anything beneficial to the country can be enacted. After pacifying the world, we, the ministers, are willing to take responsibility, even if we die, we have no regrets." So, they set up an altar in Mianyang, laid out their formation, the ministers attended, and after reading the memorial, they placed the King of Hanzhong cap on Liu Bei.
Lord Liu Bei said to Emperor Xian of Han, "My abilities are limited, yet I have taken on the weighty responsibility of serving as Grand General, commanding the three armies in carrying out missions beyond our borders. However, I have not been able to eliminate the bandits, stabilize the royal family, and your imperial edicts have not been implemented for a long time. The world is in turmoil, and I worry daily, finding it hard to sleep or eat in peace. When Dong Zhuo rebelled, followed by the rise of warlords who harmed the people, it is your holy virtue and divine might that have earned you the support of both heaven and the people. Some loyal and righteous individuals rose up to fight, and heaven also sent down punishment, eliminating the ruthless bandits. Only Cao Cao remains, still not eliminated, usurping the country's power and committing heinous acts. I had conspired with General Dong Cheng to attack Cao Cao, but the plan was leaked, Dong Cheng was killed, and I had to flee everywhere, unable to fulfill the righteous act. This allowed Cao Cao to become more arrogant and ruthless, killing the empress and the prince. Although I united some people and wanted to make a desperate effort, due to a lack of strength, I have failed to achieve any results over the years. I constantly fear dying in battle and failing to repay your kindness, unable to sleep at night, feeling very anxious. Now my subordinates believe that the ancient 'Book of Yu' stresses the importance of clan unity and mutual encouragement, a method that has been used since the time of the Five Emperors. During the Zhou Dynasty, they relied on the assistance of vassals. Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, when he was establishing his foundation, respected the imperial offspring, established nine vassal kingdoms, and ultimately eliminated the Lu family, stabilizing the royal family. Now Cao Cao is cunning, with many followers, harboring ambitions to seize power. The royal family is weak, with no status for members of the clan. I have reflected on ancient precedents and, as a pragmatic measure, accepted the titles of King of Hanzhong and Grand Marshal. I have often reflected on my position, acutely aware of the immense grace I have received from the nation, yet have not been able to do anything. Having received too many rewards, I feel I should not occupy high positions, as it invites criticism. My subordinates have pressured me, urging me to consider the greater good of the country. I step back and think, if the bandits are not dealt with, the nation will remain in peril; the royal ancestral temple will collapse, and the state will perish, then my guilt will be great. In order to stabilize the court, even if it means facing danger, I must think carefully to avoid future regrets. So I have listened to everyone's opinions, accepted the seal, to bolster the nation's prestige. Although the title is high, the favor is great, my heart is heavy with worry and responsibility, filled with dread and unease, as if I were falling into an abyss. I will do everything in my power to inspire the army and unite all forces of righteousness, follow the will of heaven, defeat the treacherous, stabilize the state, and repay your kindness. I have penned this letter specifically to return the seal of the Left General and Marquis of Yicheng Pavilion." He then made his way back to Chengdu. He appointed Wei Yan as the commander, guarding Hanzhong. At this time, Guan Yu was attacking Cao Cao's general Cao Ren and captured Cao Ren's subordinate, Yu Jin. Shortly after, Sun Quan ambushed and killed Guan Yu, seizing Jingzhou.
In the year 220 AD, Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi, ascended the throne and changed the era name to Huangchu. It is said that Emperor Xian of Han died, and Liu Bei held a funeral for him, posthumously conferring the title of Emperor Xiaomin upon him. After that, numerous auspicious signs emerged in succession, with the sun, moon, and stars shining unusually bright. Therefore, a group of officials, including Liu Bao, Hou Xiang, General Zhang Yi, Huang Quan, Grand Marshal Yin Chun, Zhao Ya, Yang Hong, He Zong, Du Qiong, Zhang Shuang, Yin Mo, Qiao Zhou, and others, submitted a memorial to Liu Bei, stating: "We have come across the prophecies contained in the He Tu, Luo Shu, and the Five Classics, which have all been validated by Confucius, and these prophecies have all been fulfilled one by one. For instance, the Luo Shu Zhen Yaodu states: 'On the third day of the red virtue, nine generations will meet Bei, and unite as emperors.' The Luo Shu Bao Hao Ming also says: 'The heavenly decree, the imperial way, Bei is proclaimed emperor, to grasp the covenant, a hundred accomplishments without defeat.' The Luo Shu Lu Yunqi also says: 'Nine marquises, seven heroes, contend for the fate of the people, grinding bones, the path is littered with footprints and human heads, who will summon the master?' The Xiaojing Gou Ming Jue Lu also says: 'The emperor will establish three foundations and convene nine assemblies.' We, the elder ministers, saw yellow gas frequently appearing in the southwest direction while our fathers were still alive, rising straight up to the clouds, reaching tens of zhang in height. This scene lasted for many years, often accompanied by auspicious clouds and clear winds descending from the vicinity of the North Star. These are all very auspicious signs!
In the past twenty-two years, there have been multiple occurrences of visions resembling flags flying from the West to the East, traversing the center of the sky. The "He Tu" and "Luo Shu" say: 'This indicates that the Son of Heaven will emerge from this direction.' In these past few years, Venus and Mars have been trailing behind Saturn. Just like when the Han Dynasty was newly established, the five stars aligned around Saturn; Saturn represents the position of the emperor, with the Han Dynasty's fortunes laying to the West, and the emperor's position above Saturn. Therefore, the Han Dynasty always used Saturn to predict the rise and fall of the emperor. Now, it seems that a wise ruler will undoubtedly rise in this land, thus achieving a great revival. In the past, Emperor Xian of Han was still in power, so no one dared to speak openly. Recently, Venus has been trailing Saturn once more, appearing in the constellations of Wei, Mao, and Pi; Wei and Mao are the celestial pivots, and the scriptures say: 'The emperor's star is here, and evil will disappear.' After careful consideration, these omens align with the celestial phenomena, and there is more than one example. We have heard that a wise ruler is born in harmony with the will of heaven, fulfilling both heavenly mandate and timing, thus being able to be born at the right time and communicate with the divine. We hope, Your Majesty, that you will heed the mandate of heaven, bring peace to the realm, achieve great success swiftly, and ensure the people's well-being!
Wow, Xu Jing, Mi Zhu, Zhuge Liang and the others, a group of big shots, jointly submitted a petition saying: that scoundrel Cao Pi usurped the throne, toppled the Han Dynasty, seized the imperial throne, and even bullied loyal ministers and good generals. The people's hearts across the nation are in turmoil, not knowing whom to listen to. More than eight hundred people have submitted petitions, all saying they have seen auspicious signs and prophecies have been fulfilled. Look, the yellow dragon appeared in Wuyang Chishui and flew away after nine days! The "Classic of Filial Piety" says: "With deep virtues like a deep spring, a yellow dragon will appear." The dragon symbolizes the emperor! The "Book of Changes" Qian Gua line five says "a flying dragon in the sky," Your Majesty, you are supposed to ascend to the throne like a flying dragon! And when Guan Yu was besieging Fancheng in Xiangyang before, two commoners, Zhang Jia and Wang Xiu, presented the imperial jade seal, which sank into the Han River, shining brightly beneath the surface, with its light soaring into the sky! The Han Dynasty was founded by Emperor Gaozu after unifying the realm, Your Majesty, you are inheriting the aspirations of the previous emperor, and also started your career in Hanzhong. Now, the imperial jade seal has miraculously reappeared, coming downstream from Xiangyang, which is clearly a divine sign that you are destined to inherit the Han dynasty! This is the mandate of heaven, not something that can be swayed by human will!
In ancient times, the sighting of black fish during the Zhou Dynasty was seen as an auspicious omen. When our ancestors accepted the mandate of heaven, omens appeared in advance to validate the divine will. Now, once again, auspicious signs have descended from the heavens, and many scholars have gone to the Heluo region. The prophecies and records of Confucius have all come to pass! Your Majesty, you are a descendant of Emperor Xiaojing and Prince Jing of Zhongshan, with a pure bloodline and divine protection. You are wise, brave, righteous, and moral, deeply loved by the people, so all under heaven turn their hearts to you. According to celestial omens, your name has long been destined to be that of an emperor! You should ascend the throne quickly, inherit the legacy of your ancestors, and continue the prosperity of the Han Dynasty. The people are eagerly looking forward to it! Together with Xu Ci and Meng Guang, we have prepared the coronation rituals, just waiting for you to choose a good day to ascend the throne.
Thus, Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor in the southern part of Wudu, Chengdu, and wrote an edict: On the fifteenth day of the fourth month of the twenty-sixth year of Jian'an, I, Liu Bei, humbly offer sacrifices of a black bull and a ram to the Supreme Deity, the Earth Deity, and all the gods: The Han Dynasty has ruled the world for generations, and the national fortune has been enduring. Previously, Wang Mang usurped the throne, and Emperor Guangwu rose up in rebellion to restore the Han Dynasty. Now, Cao Cao is using violence and brutality, killing the emperor and empress, committing atrocious acts defying the will of heaven. Cao Pi, the son of Cao Cao, has inherited his father's atrocities and seized the throne. The ministers and generals believe that the state is declining, and I should repair it, inherit the legacy of my ancestors, and execute the heavenly punishment. My virtue is insufficient, and I fear I may not be worthy of the emperor's responsibility. I have consulted both the common people and the tribal leaders, and everyone says: the mandate of heaven must not be defied, the ancestral legacy cannot be abandoned for long, and the world cannot be without a ruler. The people of the world are hoping for me. I fear the mandate of heaven, and I fear that the prosperity of the Han Dynasty will be extinguished, therefore, I have chosen to ascend the altar on New Year's Day, together with the officials, to accept the emperor's seal.
"Burn the offerings, bury them in the earth, and then let the gods of heaven and earth know, hoping for their protection to ensure the eternal stability of the Han Dynasty!"
The meaning of this passage is that after the sacrificial activities are completed, the sacrificial items should be burned and buried, then report to the heavens above, praying for the Han Dynasty's blessings to endure and for peace under heaven. This is a description of an ancient sacrificial ritual and way of seeking blessings, reflecting a solemn and devout spirit. "Burn and bury" refers to the specific rituals of the sacrifice, including the actions of roasting the offerings and burying them. "Make offerings to the deities" means making offerings to the deities. "May the gods bestow blessings on the Han family" means seeking the protection of the Han Dynasty. "Eternal peace in the four seas" means praying for everlasting peace under heaven. The whole sentence expresses deep blessings for the country and the people, as well as devout faith in the deities.
In the summer of 221 AD, during the fourth month, the court issued a general amnesty across the realm and changed the era name. Zhuge Liang was appointed Chancellor, and Xu Jing was appointed Minister of Works. Then, the court created various official positions, built ancestral temples, and held sacrifices for the ancestors of past emperors. In May, Empress Wu was named as the empress, and Liu Chan was named as the Crown Prince. In June, Liu Yong was titled as the King of Lu, and Liu Li was titled as the King of Liang. Unfortunately, Zhang Fei, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, was killed by his own subordinates. Before that, Liu Bei, the First Emperor, had been harboring resentment against Sun Quan for attacking Guan Yu and was planning to launch an eastern expedition to conquer Sun Quan. In the autumn of July, Liu Bei set out with a large army to attack the state of Wu. Sun Quan quickly sent a letter seeking peace, but Liu Bei was furious and refused. Wu's generals Lu Yi, Li Yi, and Liu A, stationed in Wuxian and Zigui, prepared for battle. Our generals, Wu Ban and Feng Xi, defeated Lu Yi and his forces in Wuxian and advanced to Zigui. At this time, the Five Streams Barbarians in the Wuling region also sent envoys to seek reinforcements.
In the spring of the second year, during the first month, Liu Bei's army returned to Zigui. Generals Wu Ban and Chen Shi set up camp in Yiling, occupying both sides of the Yangtze River. In February, Liu Bei set out from Zigui, leading his troops over mountains and valleys to camp at Xiaoting in Yiling. From Henshan to Wuling, Liu Bei also sent the attendant Ma Liang to pacify the Five Creek tribes, all of whom were willing to respond to Liu Bei. General Huang Quan led the army from the north of the river to fend off the Wu army's attack along the Yiling Road. In the sixth month of summer, a yellow haze emerged in the Zigui area, tens of zhang long and over ten li wide, an ominous sign indeed! Over ten days later, Lu Yi led his army to a great victory at Xiaoting, where Generals Feng Xi, Zhang Nan, and others fell. Liu Bei retreated from Xiaoting to Zigui, regrouped his remaining troops, and then abandoned the ships and retreated by land to Yufu, renaming Yufu County as Yong'an. Li Yi and Liu A from the Wu Kingdom pursued closely, setting up camp in Nanshan. In the eighth month of autumn, Liu Bei finally pulled his troops back to Wuxian. During this time, Minister of Works Xu Jing died. In the winter month of October, Liu Bei ordered Prime Minister Zhuge Liang to construct sacrificial sites in the northern and southern suburbs of Chengdu. Sun Quan heard that Liu Bei had retreated to Baidi City and was quite alarmed, so he sent a messenger to seek peace. This time, Liu Bei consented and sent the Grand Master Zong Wei to reply to Sun Quan. In December, the Hanjia Prefect Huang Yuan heard that Liu Bei was unwell, so he raised troops to defend his position and prepare to oppose the court.
In the spring of the year 234 AD, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang departed from Chengdu for Yong'an in February. In March, Huang Yuan led troops to attack Linqiong County. Zhuge Liang sent General Chen Hu to defeat Huang Yuan, who was defeated. He fled downstream but was captured by his own troops, taken to Chengdu, and then beheaded. At that time, the late Emperor Liu Bei was already seriously ill, and before his death, he entrusted his son to Zhuge Liang and appointed Li Yan as his deputy. On the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month, Lord Liu Bei passed away in the Yong'an Palace at the age of sixty-three. Zhuge Liang memorialized the later Emperor Liu Shan, saying, "I have heard that the late Emperor Liu Bei was deeply virtuous and benevolent, with his kindness reaching all corners of the land. Unfortunately, he was not favored by fate, and he passed away suddenly on the twenty-fourth day of this month, leaving us all in mourning as if we had lost our own parents. Now, according to the late Emperor's wishes, all matters must be handled according to the laws of the land, and any adjustments to the rituals must be made with care. Officials are to hold mourning ceremonies, remove their mourning attire after three days, and then put it back on for the burial. County officials and governors can remove their mourning attire after three days. I, Zhuge Liang, have accepted this decree with utmost reverence and do not dare to disobey. I respectfully request permission to issue orders for everyone to follow." In May, Liu Bei's remains were transported back to Chengdu from Yong'an, and he was posthumously honored with the title Emperor Xiaolie. In August, he was buried at Huiling.
Descendants evaluate that Liu Bei was known for his integrity, generosity, and keen insight in recognizing and utilizing talent. He probably inherited the magnanimity of Liu Bang and possessed heroic qualities. Entrusting the country to Zhuge Liang without any hesitation on his deathbed exemplifies the loyalty and trust between a ruler and his subject, a rare occurrence both in ancient times and today. His military skills and strategies were inferior to those of Cao Cao, so his sphere of influence was limited. However, his strong will and refusal to back down likely stemmed from his awareness of his own limitations, not just to pursue personal gain, but also to avert disaster.
