Liu Bei 刘备
Liu Bei began his military service when the Han dynasty could still send troops against rebels, and he died an emperor who declared himself its heir. Over those years he more than once lost men and lands, raised a new army and sought allies. In Romance of Three Kingdoms he is joined from the very start by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, with whom he is bound by the famous oath in the peach garden.
Liu Bei (劉備) was born in 161 in Zhuo County. Chen Shou traces his lineage to one of the sons of Emperor Jing of Han. By Liu Bei's time the family had long since lost its former standing. He lost his father early and, according to the chronicle, made a living weaving mats and sandals. During the years of war, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei joined him. The chronicle says the three were as close as brothers. The oath itself, sworn in the peach garden, is told in the later novel.
Liu Bei served under Gongsun Zan, then received Xu Province, which Lü Bu soon took from him. In the years that followed he changed allies several times. In 208, when Cao Cao's cavalry caught up with his retreating troops at Changban, Liu Bei sent Zhuge Liang to negotiate with Sun Quan. That alliance allowed them to defeat Cao Cao at Red Cliff. Liu Bei later conquered Yi Province, received the title of King of Hanzhong in 219, and in 221 proclaimed himself emperor, declaring himself heir to the Han dynasty.
After the death of Guan Yu, Liu Bei led his troops against Sun Quan. In 222 Sun Quan's general Lu Xun defeated him at Yiling. Liu Bei retreated to Yong'an, where he died the following year, entrusting his son Liu Shan to the care of Zhuge Liang.
In Romance of Three Kingdoms (1994) Liu Bei was played by Sun Yan-Jun, and in the 2010 version by Yu He-Wei. In John Woo's two-part Red Cliff (2008–2009), You Yong plays Liu Bei in the months when his foremost task is to preserve the remnants of his army and come to terms with Sun Quan. Dynasty Warriors (2021), with Tony Yang You-Ning, shows Liu Bei's earlier battles and his encounter with Lü Bu.
