Liu Bei: Historical figure and founder of Shu Han

Liu Bei, the founder of the Shu Han kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period, is a figure characterized by contrasting depictions in literature and historical records. While the novel ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ portrays him as a benevolent, often emotional leader who relied heavily on the strategies of Zhuge Liang, historical texts such as the ‘Records of the Three Kingdoms’ present a more capable military commander.

Born into a declining branch of the Han imperial family in Zhuo Commandery, Liu Bei rose from poverty to become a prominent political and military leader. Despite his reputation for benevolence and his famous oath of brotherhood with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, historical accounts note instances where he abandoned his family while retreating during military defeats.