Meet the Person #
The “Biography of the Former Lord” records his uprising in the late Han, his movement among various military and political forces, and his long service alongside Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. He later gained Yi Province, became King of Hanzhong, and then proclaimed himself emperor in Chengdu.
In his later years, defeat in war with Sun Wu forced him back to Yong'an. Gravely ill, he entrusted affairs after his death to Zhuge Liang and others, and died at Yong'an Palace. This course should not be reduced to the Peach Garden oath or the three men's personal friendship.
Approximate sequence, not a timeline drawn to scale.
Limits of the Evidence #
“Shu Han” is a common identifying name. The Peach Garden sworn-brotherhood ceremony appears in the novel and does not replace the historical record of their service together.
People and Relationships #
- Sun QuanSun Quan — Liu Bei: alliesSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Sent troops to help resist Cao Cao.
- Guan YuGuan Yu → Liu Bei: subordinate generalSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Followed and served alongside him; affection like that between brothers.
- Zhang FeiZhang Fei → Liu Bei: subordinate generalSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Followed and served alongside him; affection like that between brothers.
- Liu BiaoLiu Bei → Liu Biao: dependent followerSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Went to seek refuge under Liu Biao.
- Yuan ShaoLiu Bei → Yuan Shao: formerly a dependent followerSanguozhi, Volume 32, Biography of the Former Lord ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
First resisted Yuan Shao on Gongsun Zan's side; after defeat in Xuzhou, joined Yuan Shao and was sent to campaign around Xu.
- Zhao YunZhao Yun → Liu Bei: subordinate generalSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Followed Liu Bei from Gongsun Zan's side; protected his family at Changban, then entered Shu.
- Huang ZhongHuang Zhong → Liu Bei: subordinate generalSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Joined him during the pacification of Jing Province's southern commanderies, followed him into Shu, and later became General of the Rear.
- Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang → Liu Bei: adviserSanguozhi, Volume 35, Biography of Zhuge Liang ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
After being sought out at Xinye: Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times, establishing an advisory relationship.
- Ma ChaoMa Chao → Liu Bei: subordinate generalSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Chengdu campaign: Ma Chao requested surrender and joined with his troops; Liu Bei appointed him General Who Pacifies the West.
- Zhou YuZhou Yu — Liu Bei: allies (Chibi)Sanguozhi, Volume 54, Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and Lü Meng Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Jointly resisted Cao Cao at Chibi and pursued him; afterward Zhou Yu separately proposed restraining Liu Bei.
- Xu ShuXu Shu → Liu Bei: strategistSanguozhi, Volume 35, Biography of Zhuge Liang ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Highly valued at Xinye; after defeat during the southward retreat, departed because his mother had been captured.
- Liu QiLiu Qi — Liu Bei: allies (against Cao Cao)Sanguozhi, Volume 35, Biography of Zhuge Liang ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Before Chibi: Liu Qi's Jiangxia troops and Liu Bei's forces formed a force resisting Cao Cao.
Related Historical Events (Not Personal Relationships) #
- Cao CaoOnce received by Cao Cao, with whom he jointly besieged Lü Bu; they later split and fought in campaigns including Xuzhou and Chibi.Sanguozhi, Volume 32, Biography of the Former Lord ↗
- Lu SuMeeting at Dangyang: conveyed Sun Quan's intentions and urged joint resistance to Cao Cao; later participated in arrangements for Jing Province.Sanguozhi, Volume 54, Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and Lü Meng Biographies ↗
In This Book #
Specific chapters in which each figure appears will be cross-checked after QA of Shiji Sanguo's final manuscript; they are not filled in ahead of time.
Cite This Page
Shiji Sanguo website, “Liu Bei,” data version 2026-09-29.13, updated 2026-09-29.
https://shijisanguo.com/ai/people/liu-bei/
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