Biography of Liu Bei
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Summary
Drawing on historical sources, this book meticulously reconstructs the real life of Liu Bei: from an ordinary youth weaving mats and selling sandals to a self-made hero rising amid chaos; from the sincere brotherhood sworn in the Peach Garden to his earnest search for talent in the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage; from enduring humiliation under others' roofs to defying the odds by proclaiming himself emperor and founding Shu Han. Open this book and witness the rise and fall of Liu Bei's life—how he gathered outstanding talent through righteousness and forged an imperial legend amid chaos; and feel the "philosophy of resilience" behind a grassroots rise in the turbulent late Eastern Han, when heroes contended and all under heaven was in flux.
Editor's review
The value of this book lies in its balanced perspective. It affirms Liu Bei's indomitable will, his charisma as a leader who knew how to employ people, and his deeply rooted moral appeal, while not shying away from the power plays, compromises, and occasional indecisiveness in his political career. The author analyzes in depth the multiple dimensions of Liu Bei's relationships with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhuge Liang, and others, going beyond simple romantic narratives of brotherly loyalty or ruler-minister rapport to reveal the political alliances, binding interests, and emotional entanglements involved. For key historical events such as "crossing the river with the people" and "the entrustment at Baidi City," the book offers detailed interpretations grounded in historical context, helping readers understand the political logic and human considerations behind them.
Overall, this is a solid, restrained historical biography, suitable for readers who wish to go beyond fictional impressions and gain a deeper understanding of Liu Bei and his era from a historical and political perspective. It does not offer sensational revisionist views, but instead devotes itself to prudent and insightful narration and analysis based on reliable historical sources.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Three Kingdoms history who wish to understand Liu Bei as depicted in official histories
- Readers who enjoy biographies, especially those attentive to the complexity and growth trajectories of historical figures
- Thinkers seeking to understand how leadership, political strategy, and moral ethics intertwine in times of chaos
- Deep readers who have already read Romance of the Three Kingdoms and want to compare literary and historical differences
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking the entertaining, swashbuckling storytelling style of Romance of the Three Kingdoms
- Casual history enthusiasts looking for a brief, accessible overview of his life
Reading tips
- Keep a copy of Records of the Three Kingdoms or relevant maps at hand while reading to cross-reference key events and geography
- Pay attention to the author's analytical logic regarding Liu Bei's key decisions (such as taking Jingzhou, entering Yizhou, and the Battle of Yiling)
- Read alongside biographies of Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and others for comparison, to grasp the broader Three Kingdoms landscape more fully
About the publisher
China Friendship Publishing Company is a comprehensive publisher known for its literary titles, covering classical Chinese literature, foreign literature, folk literature and cultural appreciation. According to the books in the database, its classical list includes celebrated dramas and novels such as The Peony Pavilion, The Romance of the Western Chamber and Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, as well as note-style classics like Hong Mai's Rongzhai Suibi. In foreign literature it offers translations of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, Kawabata Yasunari's Snow Country and Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, involving translators such as Zeng Siyi. It also publishes The Complete Literary Works of Lu Xun and titles associated with the "Xue'er Shuguan" editorial group, balancing the collation and popularization of classic texts. Public information on its publishing features and plans is limited; the above is summarized only from the books in the database.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 前言
- 第一章 少年擘画：越是底层越要做好长线布局
- 大树楼桑，是豪杰总要天生异相
- 老刘，你为啥要帮别人养孩子
- 借势炒作：面子不够，身份来凑
- 出来混，一定要选个合适的背景板
- 汉灵帝重拳出击，拳拳伤己
- 桃园三结义：不正常的人才有不平常际遇
- 第二章 徐州操盘：在风口中时刻把握形势动向
- 草根翻身第一仗，打得漂亮
- 鞭笞督邮，小爷我不干了
- 援助孔融，品牌影响力是拼出来的
- 徐州血案，借壳上市再升级
- 野心再大，吃相必须要好看
- 第三章 阴阳吕布：弱势时，要有弱势者的手段
- 想摧毁敌人，先给他大哥般的待遇
- 辕门射戟：沉默者的沉默震耳欲聋
- 棋走连环，吕奉先险象环生
- 挑战：两虎不争，我以饵动
- 背刺白门楼，有隐患一定要连根拔除
- 第四章 雌伏许都，永远不打没把握的牌
- 人为刀俎，在案板上躺平就好
- 离谱！空降一个“夷三族”
- 青梅煮酒：天下英雄谁敌手，曹刘
- 逃遁虽巧，更狠的是回手一刀
- 闪击徐州，你给的伤害定要双倍奉还
- 阵斩颜良，义勇双全关云长
- 第五章 三顾茅庐：让老板对自己如饥似渴，才是人才
- 孔明的算计：借船出海易远行
- 找准目标市场，跟对人才能做对事
- 名人背书，把市场期待树立起来
- 饥饿营销：不容易得到的更有价值
- 隆中对：别管能不能做到，先把饼画好
- 第六章 养势荆州：喂养大众需求，将卖点引爆
- 火烧博望，烧出一堆麻烦来
- 劝袭曹，才高震主还是慎言为妙
- 拒受荆州，约束住实力之外的欲望
- 携民渡江：好处我要，名声我也要
- 血战当阳，舍不得孩子，套不住猛将
- 第七章 联吴抗曹：找大鱼傍身，要有制约大鱼的本事
- 陈兵赤壁：量算出力，进退有据
- 偷夺四郡，把棋下到十步之外
- 巧借荆州：爱情和事业，可以双管齐下
- 硬刚孙权：利益可以让，底线不能丢
- 暗结张松：小人物或许会有大作用
- 第八章 火拼刘璋：道与义，关键时刻应该分开来看
- 引狼入室：无端献殷勤者，必有图谋
- 虚与委蛇：真真假假都在虚实之间
- 徐图成都：做大事者切忌妇人之仁
- 劝降刘璋：握住七寸，文武并用
- 入主成都：羞耻感淡的人才能笑到最后
- 第九章 沔阳称王：以正合以出奇，给对手一个惊喜
- 拒孙权，保三郡，间隙渐生
- 狠下心割肉，才能维持势态平衡
- 再谋汉中，兵者，诡道也
- 袭破上庸，势已成，自领汉中王
- 第十章 腹背受敌：势强者恃强逆势，弱势已近
- 水淹七军，一枝独秀便是自取祸端
- 以假乱真，曹操巧诈关云长
- 骄兵必败，关羽大意失荆州
- 再失三郡：赏罚不公，必然人心背离
- 第十一章 称帝成都：没有收拾残局的能力，就不要掀翻桌子
- 武担即位，朕这次就要任性一回
- 张飞遇害：暴力驭下，自食苦果
- 陆逊避战，聪明人无谓争意气
- 兵败貌亭：人生大忌就是刚愎自用
- 吴蜀复通：利益角逐中没有永远的敌人
- 白帝城托孤，最后的君臣博弈
FAQ
How different is the Liu Bei in this book from the one in Romance of the Three Kingdoms?
Is the author Li Shufei's research background reliable?
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About the author
Li Shufei is an author whose writing focuses mainly on biographies of Chinese historical figures. Public information about him is limited, and no clear records are available regarding his nationality, dates of birth and death, or educational background. Judging from the five works held in the collection, he has written biographies of Zhang Juzheng, Bai Juyi, Hu Xueyan, Liu Bei, and Sima Yi. These subjects span political reformers, writers, merchants, and military and political figures of the Three Kingdoms period, showing a sustained interest in figures from different eras and walks of life in Chinese history. The works are generally classified as comprehensive biographies and historical reading, and are aimed at general readers, taking each figure's life as the main thread while also presenting the historical background and events of the time. Overall, Li Shufei's writing tends toward popular historical biography, emphasizing readability and the portrayal of personal destinies rather than rigorous academic research. Because biographical information about him is scarce, readers' understanding of the author and his work still rests mainly on these biographies themselves.
