A descendant of Prince Sheng of Zhongshan, Liu Bei lived in poverty when he was young. Liu Bei became a pupil of Lu zhi, a Han scholar, along with his friend Gongsun Zan. He was later appointed to be the Judical Officer of Anxi Country, but was later made to retire. Starting his military career under Regent Marshall He Jin,he was appointed as Auxillary Corps Commanding Officer and Magistrate of Ping Yuan County. Liu Bei moved his armies to rescue the Imperial Protector Tao Qian when Cao Cao was invading Xu Zhou. In AD 196, Liu Bei recieved recommendations for the rank "General who Guards the east" and he was titled Lord of Yicheng Precinct. Liu Bei was promoted to General of the Left after helping Cao Cao to cpature Lu Bu alive. Emperor Xian soon officially recognized Liu Bei's relation to the Prince of Zhongshan. Between AD 198 and 199, Liu Bei participated in a plot to assassinate Cao Cao, and lost favour with him. He took shelter in Xia Pi, and later took shelter under the warlord Yuan Shao. Liu Bei later left Yuan shao and made his way to Jing Zhou after being reunited with his sworn brothers Guan yu and Zhang Fei. He sought asylum with Liu Biao. Cao Cao chased Liu Bei, and Liu Bei had to withdraw from his post in Fan Cheng to Xia Kou. Liu Bei allied himself with Sun Quan of Wu, and at the battle of Chi Bi, successfully retreated to southern Jing while Cao Cao's massive armada was obliterated by the plans of Wu strategist Zhou Yu. Many counties in Jing Zhou were occupied by Liu Bei following the deaths of Liu Biao and Liu Qi. He later wedded Sun Quan's sister and was officially named Protector of Jing Zhou. Liu Bei went to Yi Zhou to aid Liu zhang in his war with Zhang Lu, but later betrayed him and occupied Cheng Du. He later declared himself King of Hanzhong. There was then a series of hostilities with Wu and Wei, and in AD 221, Liu Bei proclaimed himself Emperor, under advice of his strategist Zhuge Liang. Liu Bei lost his sworn brother Guan Yu to the Kingdom of Wu. Liu Bei was enraged. In vengeance, a massive Shu army attacked Yi Ling. The Wu army was considerably smaller, but prevailed in the end thanks to Wu strategist Lu Xun's plan. Liu Bei retreated to Bai Di Cheng, and in AD 223, died of illness. He was posthumously titled King Zhao Di.
