The Desperate Flight of Liu Bei

In the autumn of 208 CE, one of the most dramatic chases in Chinese history unfolded on the plains of Jing Province. Cao Cao, the formidable warlord of northern China, led an elite cavalry force—the legendary Tiger and Leopard Riders—in relentless pursuit of his rival Liu Bei. Covering an astonishing 300 li (approximately 150 kilometers) in a single day and night, Cao Cao’s forces caught up with Liu Bei’s fleeing entourage at Changban Slope near Dangyang.

Faced with imminent annihilation, Liu Bei made a fateful decision: he abandoned his family, supplies, and civilian followers, escaping with only a handful of key advisors and generals, including Zhuge Liang and Zhang Fei. This moment, immortalized in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, was not mere fiction—it was grounded in historical fact.

Zhao Yun’s Heroic Rescue

Amid the chaos, one figure stood out: Zhao Yun (Zilong), the loyal general who would become a legend. While Liu Bei fled, Zhao Yun turned back into enemy lines to rescue Liu Bei’s infant son, Liu Shan (later the second emperor of Shu Han), and his wife, Lady Gan. Fighting through waves of Cao Cao’s troops, Zhao Yun emerged victorious, delivering the child safely to Liu Bei.

This act of valor cemented Zhao Yun’s reputation as the epitome of loyalty and martial prowess. When rumors reached Liu Bei that Zhao Yun had defected, Liu Bei—despite being in dire straits—refused to believe it, famously declaring, “Zilong would never abandon me!” Moments later, Zhao Yun appeared with Liu Shan in his arms, reinforcing the unbreakable bond between them.

Zhang Fei’s Stand at the Bridge

With Cao Cao’s forces closing in, Liu Bei’s last line of defense was Zhang Fei, the fierce general known for his explosive temper and unmatched bravery. At the head of just twenty-one horsemen, Zhang Fei positioned himself on a narrow bridge at Dangyang. As dust clouds signaled the approach of Cao Cao’s elite cavalry, Zhang Fei roared his challenge:

“I am Zhang Yide of Yan! Who dares to face me in battle?”

The sheer audacity of this standoff stunned Cao Cao’s forces. Despite their overwhelming numbers, the Tiger and Leopard Riders—a unit that had previously crushed the Xiongnu warlord Tatan—halted their advance. Zhang Fei’s defiance bought Liu Bei crucial time to escape, marking one of the most iconic moments of the era.

The Political Aftermath and Sun-Liu Alliance

Liu Bei’s survival was not just a military miracle—it was a turning point in the struggle for dominance. His reputation as a leader who valued his followers over his own family paradoxically strengthened his appeal. The refugees and soldiers who witnessed his sacrifice rallied behind him, declaring, “Even his own son is no more important than us!”

Meanwhile, the geopolitical landscape shifted rapidly. Sun Quan, ruler of Eastern Wu, saw an opportunity in Liu Bei’s plight. His strategist Lu Su had long advocated for an alliance against Cao Cao, recognizing that neither Wu nor Shu could survive alone. When Lu Su intercepted Liu Bei at Hanjin, he proposed a coalition, steering Liu Bei away from a doomed retreat to the southern wilderness.

Zhuge Liang’s subsequent mission to Wu was pivotal. Contrary to Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ dramatized version, his negotiations were less about rhetorical flourishes and more about cold, hard realities:

– Cao Cao’s forces were overextended.
– The northern troops were unaccustomed to southern warfare.
– A united front could exploit these weaknesses.

Cao Cao’s Miscalculation and the Road to Red Cliffs

Cao Cao, emboldened by his rapid conquest of Jing Province, sent an infamous letter to Sun Quan: “With 800,000 men, I invite you to hunt in your own lands.” This thinly veiled threat backfired. Instead of intimidating Sun Quan, it galvanized resistance.

The Wu court split into factions—some, like elder statesman Zhang Zhao, advocated surrender. But Zhou Yu and Lu Su argued fiercely against submission. Lu Su’s private counsel to Sun Quan cut to the heart of the matter:

“If I surrender, I might become a governor. But what awaits you? The Sun family has too many enemies in Cao Cao’s camp. You will not survive.”

This stark truth pushed Sun Quan toward war. The stage was set for the Battle of Red Cliffs, where the combined forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei would shatter Cao Cao’s southern ambitions.

Legacy of Changban

The events at Changban Slope reverberated far beyond 208 CE:

1. Mythmaking – Zhao Yun’s heroism became folklore, elevating him to near-deific status in Chinese culture.
2. Liu Bei’s Image – His apparent selflessness (abandoning family but not followers) became a cornerstone of his “benevolent ruler” persona.
3. Military Lore – Zhang Fei’s bridge stand entered the annals of legendary last stands, studied for centuries as a lesson in psychological warfare.
4. Strategic Realignment – The Sun-Liu alliance forged in desperation would define the Three Kingdoms era, delaying Cao Cao’s unification by decades.

Conclusion: Why Changban Still Matters

The chase at Changban was more than a military engagement—it was a crucible that tested loyalty, leadership, and survival. In Zhao Yun’s rescue, Zhang Fei’s defiance, and Liu Bei’s desperate gambits, we see the human drama that makes the Three Kingdoms period timeless. Their decisions, born of chaos, shaped the destiny of a fractured empire—and left stories that still resonate today.