劉備

Profile

From sandal-weaver of imperial descent to first emperor of Shu-Han. He wandered half his life without a base of his own, yet men like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun never left his side; with Zhuge Liang won by three visits, he became one pillar of the divided realm. After Red Cliffs he took Jing and Yi provinces, became King of Hanzhong, then emperor. Defeated at Yiling, he died at Baidicheng entrusting the state to Zhuge Liang — remembered above all for winning hearts.

Key events

1. 184

   Yellow Turban Rebellion

   Zhang Jiao’s Taiping followers rise across the empire, opening the Three Kingdoms era. Liu Bei, Cao Cao and Sun Jian first made their names in the suppression.

   Zhang JiaoCao CaoSun JianGuan YuZhang Fei

2. 184

   The Peach Garden OathNovel

   Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei swear brotherhood in a peach orchard — the novel’s opening scene; the histories say only their bond was "like brothers".

   Guan YuZhang Fei

3. 191

   Hulao Gate — Three Heroes vs. Lü BuNovel

   The novel’s famous duel of the three brothers against Lü Bu at Hulao Gate. In the histories it was Sun Jian, not Guan Yu, who slew Hua Xiong.

   Lü BuGuan YuZhang FeiSun Jian

4. 198

   Siege of Xiapi — the End of Lü Bu

   Cao Cao and Liu Bei flood Lü Bu out of Xiapi. Betrayed by his own men, Lü Bu is captured and executed; Chen Gong dies with him.

   Cao CaoLü BuChen GongZhang Liao

5. 200

   Guan Yu Crosses Five PassesNovel

   The novel’s invented journey: Guan Yu breaks through five passes and slays six generals to rejoin Liu Bei — the defining image of loyalty.

   Guan YuCao Cao

History vs. the novelHistoryvsNovel

The novel paints a gentle, tearful saint; the histories show a formidable operator whom even Lü Bu and Cao Cao rated dangerous — capable of cold decisions like the seizure of Yi Province. Steel wrapped in warmth.