The Fragile Throne: Liu Bei’s Ascension in Xu Province

In the turbulent years of the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the warlord Liu Bei found an unexpected opportunity when Tao Qian, the governor of Xu Province, died in 194 CE. Facing chaos and the threat of rival warlord Yuan Shu, the local gentry turned to Liu Bei—a former straw-sandal weaver turned military leader—to stabilize the region. This marked Liu Bei’s first major territorial acquisition, but his hold on power would prove precarious from the outset.

Understanding the volatility of his position, Liu Bei immediately sought legitimization from two powerful figures: Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. To Yuan Shao—the dominant warlord north of the Yellow River—Liu Bei’s envoy Chen Deng framed the succession as a necessary bulwark against the ambitious Yuan Shu. Flattered by the deference, Yuan Shao endorsed Liu Bei’s rule, famously remarking, “Liu Xuande is a man of integrity—Xu Province has chosen wisely!” Meanwhile, Cao Cao, embroiled in his own conflict with Lü Bu, pragmatically recognized Liu Bei as “General Who Guards the East” and granted him a noble title, temporarily securing his southern flank.

The Yuan Shu Crisis: War on Two Fronts

Liu Bei’s ascension provoked the wrath of Yuan Shu, a warlord who controlled rich territories south of the Huai River. Infuriated that the Xu elites had chosen an “upstart” over his own prestigious lineage (the Yuan family boasted “four generations of three excellencies”), Yuan Shu declared, “I’ve never even heard of this Liu Bei!” and launched an invasion.

For over a month in 195 CE, the two armies clashed at Xuyi and Huaiyin, with neither side gaining decisive advantage. The stalemate, however, masked a looming disaster: Lü Bu, the formidable warrior Liu Bei had reluctantly sheltered after his defeat by Cao Cao, betrayed him. Exploiting tensions between Liu Bei’s general Zhang Fei and Tao Qian’s old officers (the elite “Danyang troops”), Lü Bu seized Xiapi, Liu Bei’s headquarters, capturing his family, supplies, and strategic reserves.

The Collapse: Betrayal and Cannibalism

Cut off from his base, Liu Bei’s army disintegrated. Forced to retreat south to Guangling, they faced starvation so severe that historical accounts mention cannibalism. In desperation, Liu Bei surrendered to Lü Bu, pleading to be allowed to garrison Xiaopei—a humiliating demotion for the once-governor.

Lü Bu, calculating that Yuan Shu posed a greater threat, surprisingly restored Liu Bei’s family and position. But when Liu Bei rebuilt his forces to 10,000 men, Lü Bu attacked again, driving him into the arms of his old acquaintance Cao Cao. The irony was palpable: the man who had once fought Cao Cao in Qingzhou now relied on him for survival.

The Domino Effect: Yuan Shu’s Imperial Folly

Liu Bei’s downfall coincided with Yuan Shu’s catastrophic decision to declare himself emperor in 197 CE, citing dubious omens and his possession of the imperial seal. This act of hubris alienated allies, most crucially Sun Ce, who broke away to carve out his own kingdom in Jiangdong. Meanwhile, Cao Cao skillfully manipulated Lü Bu into turning against Yuan Shu, offering titles and flattery (“A general like you is like a hunting eagle—best kept hungry for the chase”).

Yuan Shu’s botched invasion of Xu Province and subsequent isolation marked the beginning of his decline. Within two years, his empire crumbled, and he died in disgrace—a cautionary tale of overreach.

Legacy: The Seeds of Shu Han

Though Liu Bei lost Xu Province, the episode shaped his future. His resilience—rebounding from cannibalism-strength desperation to later found the Shu Han kingdom—cemented his reputation as a tenacious underdog. The betrayal by Lü Bu also hardened his political pragmatism, evident in his later alliance with Sun Quan at Red Cliffs.

For historians, this period illustrates the fluid loyalties and brutal calculus of the Three Kingdoms era. Liu Bei’s brief rule in Xu Province was a masterclass in the era’s volatility: alliances shifted overnight, reputations meant little, and survival often hinged on recognizing when to submit—and when to strike back.

Modern Reflections: Leadership Lessons from Chaos

Liu Bei’s story resonates beyond history books. His initial failure in Xu Province underscores the perils of overconfidence (underestimating Lü Bu) and the importance of securing internal stability before external threats. Conversely, his comeback highlights the power of resilience and strategic patience—qualities that would eventually make him a legendary underdog-emperor.

In boardrooms or battlefields, the lesson endures: even the most gifted leaders must navigate betrayal, adapt to reversals, and—above all—know when to retreat to fight another day.