Liu Bei began his military career suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion alongside his sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
Unlike Cao Cao, Liu Bei spent decades drifting without a permanent base, relying on his reputation for virtue and compassion to attract brilliant talents like Zhuge Liang.
Following the critical victory at Red Cliffs, he finally secured his own territory in Yi Province (Sichuan) and declared himself Emperor of Shu Han to continue the Han lineage.
After his sworn brother Guan Yu was killed by Eastern Wu, a grief-stricken Liu Bei launched a massive revenge campaign but was disastrously defeated at Yiling in 222 AD, dying soon after.