Liu Bei, better known as Xuan De, was born in Zhuo County in Hebei Province. His ancestor was Liu Sheng, son of Emperor Jing in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD).Judging by Liu Bei's position in the family hierarchy, he was the last emperor of Eastern Han (25 - 220) - Emperor Xian's uncle. He founded the Kingdom of Shu and was regarded as a great statesman and strategist in the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280).Liu Bei lost his father while he was still young. After that, he existed by selling straw sandals and weaving straw mats with his mother. At the age of 15, Liu Bei went out to pursue his studies. In 188 after the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, Liu Bei, along with his two sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, began to organize his own troops to fight against the insurrectionists.
After the battle, Liu Bei formally set up his military group and was soon appointed as a county governor. Later, he was successively promoted to chief executive of Xuzhou, Zhendong General, and chief executive of Yuzhou. However, because it was weaker militarily than other groups and without a stable military base, Liu Bei's group sought support temporarily under the domain of big warlords such as Cao Cao, Yuan Shao and Liu Biao.
In 207, after paying three visits to the thatched cottage of the great sage, Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei received advice crucial to his subsequent role in political and military affairs. With Zhuge Liang as his military counselor, Liu Bei followed his strategic guidance to capture Jingzhou, with support from The Kingdom of Wu, by attacking Cao Cao's troops and to driving into Sichuan Province.
In 221, Liu Bei reclaimed himself emperor in Chengdu, establishing the Kingdom of Shu. As one of three kingdoms, The Kingdom of Shu covered the area of Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, the northern part of Guizhou Province and the southern part of Shaanxi Province.
As an emperor, Liu Bei loved his people and treasured talented people very much. As an individual, he was fair and sincere, humane and righteous. The main features of his political characters embodied Chinese traditional political thoughts, especially Confucianism. Because of this, he always received courteous reception and deep respect wherever he arrived.
In 223, Liu Bei launched a battle against The Kingdom of Wu to avenge the death of his sworn brother Guan Yu. Unfortunately, Liu Bei was defeated and had to draw back into the domain of Shu. In April of the same year, Liu Bei died in Baidi City (currently Fengjie in Chongqing). On his death bed, he entrusted his son Liu Shan to Zhuge Liang.
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Travelers' Voices on Liu Bei
1.
Nov. 14,2009 06:16 Reply
Mr.pirateking(Canada) said:
Liu Bei was a good brother because he really went out to avenge for Guan Yu, even if it was not the smart thing to do. All his advisors told him not to do it. The smart thing to do was to attack Wei since Cao Cao died soon after Guan Yu died. It was an excellent opportunity to crush Wei and the chance to become the emperor. Instead, he went to avenge his bro; they were swore brothers and they took their oath seriously. Brotherhood above ambition! It's very moving.
As for Liu Bei's tallent, it is his ability to spot great talents and employ them while treating them with respect. Because of his humble and righteous (confucious) ways he treated people, he earned their respect and loyalty. Good boss!
2.
Feb. 27,2009 10:09 Reply
Mr.Yagami Quan(vietnam) said:
I don't like this guy. He always get lucky. At first meet great people such as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to swear oath with. And then Zhao Yun, Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Zhuge Liang....And all he ever did was being sincere !!! He did not have any real talent. Unlike Cao Cao
Jun. 11,2009 02:52
Mr.Wenz(Malaysian) replied:
No off, but i'm disagree with what Mr.Yagami Quan. I think u should read the "Romance Of the Three Kingdom" and then u should see, wether what u said is true or not. Even if u said he's lucky to have great generals serve him, There must be reason why all those great generals u mentioned would serve him... am i rite??
Sep. 28,2009 01:01
Mr.Qin(MY) replied:
Liu Bei say he is the decendents of Liu Sheng but there is no any evidence that can prove it.Liu Bei is a hipocrit and borrow Jing Province from Wu but not return it to Wu that has lead his beloved friend Guan Yu to die.Liu Bei like Liu Bang is a hipocrit and without Cao Cao he cannot earn so much officer to his side.Cao Cao cruelty give Liu Bei chance to be a hero to save them in ancient time like the Xiang Yu and Liubang.Cao Cao is Xiang Yu and Liu Bei is like LIu Bang.
3.
Sep. 5,2009 00:29 Reply
Mr.ng(singapore) said:
he is a ture hero
4.
Aug. 25,2009 08:04 Reply
Mr.jamaican(usa) said:
i wish i could served liu bei...and ride side by side with zhao yun...for shu
5.
Aug. 20,2009 08:12 Reply
Mr.See(Singapore) said:
Liu Bei is so kind i wish i could be him
6.
Aug. 14,2009 22:09 Reply
Mr.E.M.O.(USA) said:
Liu Bei was virtues and somewhat lucky but compared to Cao Cao born in a higher class and got a break, later he used the emperor (smart move huh). Liu Bei unfortunely had no land to call his own, if he did there might of been no Wu just Wei, Shu, and mongols, nanman, and other "little guys".
Liu Bei I will consider the 2nd most virtues man i've heard about, 3rd is Mexican Prez Benito Juarez, 1st Native AMerican (Nez Pierce) Chief Joseph. 4th Pope John Paul II, 5th is a Japanese politition during WWII who helped Jews escape Europe by taking them to Japan (even if Japan was part of Axis they did not hate Jews, they hated Chinese due to USA and UK classifiying Japanese as "coolies" and japanese did not want to be called that and wanted great status as well as resources and fought China).
Deush strike for Japan during WWII
Mr.Yagami is lost Cao Cao was a more lucky, and if it was not for Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang "Sleeping Dragon" Sun Quan might of surrendered to Cao Cao or fight alone later being defeated, so who is really lucky, i think Cao Cao who had land, was ritch, had the emperor, got a military, and had friends who were nobles which means he had "people" and "ties".
7.
Jun. 6,2009 15:26 Reply
Mr.blah(usa) said:
I am loyal to Liu Bei and shall serve by his side at any battle. He fights for virtue and virtue is something that is worth to fight for. In the name of justice, Lord Liu Bei shall prevail.
8.
May. 29,2009 07:08 Reply
Mr.espada(Philippines) said:
i like Wu and Shu. i dont like wei because of Cao his so ambitious, but very talented, also. and his sorrounded by talented people...
if i was born in there time, i would probably serve Cao, even though i dislike him.
i like his character and mostly his intention in unifying china...
9.
May. 14,2009 14:48 Reply
Mr.BadYearBlimp(USA) said:
Was it true that Guan Yu flooded fan castle as a tactic? Because if thats true than WOW
10.
Feb. 10,2009 01:33 Reply
Mr.yandao(Singapore) said:
i only wish i could see and serve under lei bei in the kingdom of shu and i like guan yu very much with his blue dragon sarble
May. 14,2009 10:05
Mr.Nobuyuki(U.S.A.) replied:
If you served in his kingdom, would you be awe-struck at the 5 Tiger Generals?