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Liu Biao, courtesy name Jingsheng, was a native of Gaoping County, Shanyang Commandery. He was a renowned scholar in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, a member of the Han imperial family, and a descendant of Liu Yu, the King of Lu Gong of the Western Han Dynasty. He served as the Governor of Jingzhou for a long period and was one of the warlords who carved out their own territories at the end of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Biao was over eight feet tall, with a gentle and imposing appearance. He was famous in his youth and was listed among the "Eight Talents". In his early years, he was implicated in the Party Prohibitions due to his participation in the Taixue Student Movement and was forced to flee. In the seventh year of Guanghe (184 AD), he was placed under the command of the Grand General's Office and later served as the Marquis of the Northern Army.

In the first year of the Chuping era (190 AD), he became the governor of Jingzhou, with the Kuai brothers and Cai Mao as his assistants, and moved the capital of the prefecture to Xiangyang.

The following year, Dong Zhuo seized power, and various prefectures and counties raised troops to attack him. Liu Biao led his army to garrison Xiangyang. General Yuan Shu and Sun Jian, the governor of Changsha, joined forces and attempted to seize Jingzhou. Liu Biao ordered his general Huang Zu to lead troops to resist and killed Sun Jian.

Li Jue and Guo Si rebelled in Chang'an and planned to win over Liu Biao as an ally, promoting him to General Who Guards the South and Governor of Jingzhou, granting him the title of Marquis of Chengwu, and the authority to act on behalf of the emperor.

In the first year of Jian'an (196 AD) of Emperor Xian of Han, Cao Cao welcomed Emperor Xian of Han and moved the capital to Xuchang. Liu Biao sent envoys to pay tribute, but secretly contacted Yuan Shao.

After that, Liu Biao defeated Zhang Ji and Zhang Xian, captured the two commanderies of Lingling and Guiyang, seized control of Jingzhou, and became a powerful and influential figure.

In the fifth year of Jian'an (200 AD), Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were locked in a stalemate at Guandu. Yuan Shao sought help from Liu Biao, but Liu Biao remained passive and did not send troops.

Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao and then pursued Liu Bei; Liu Biao accepted Liu Bei who came to seek refuge, treating him well but not giving him important responsibilities. In the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208 AD), Cao Cao launched a southern campaign against Liu Biao;
People at the time did not think highly of Liu Biao. For example, Cao Cao, Wang Can, and Zhuge Ke all believed that Liu Biao was a treacherous ruler who controlled Jingzhou but could not appoint talented people.
Jia Xu and Xun You also believed that Liu Biao lacked talent and strategy, and that by merely observing the world, he would ultimately be unable to achieve great things.

Later historians such as Chen Shou of the Jin Dynasty, Fan Ye of the Southern Song Dynasty, Su Zhe of the Northern Song Dynasty, and Hao Jing of the late Song and early Yuan Dynasties all believed that although Liu Biao had some ambitions, he lacked decisiveness and was not a ruler capable of establishing an empire.

Liu Biao was from Gaoping County, Shanyang Commandery, and a member of the Han imperial family, a descendant of Liu Yu, the Prince of Lu of the Han Dynasty. Liu Biao was eight feet tall and had a majestic appearance.

He was known for his talent from a young age and was known as one of the "Eight Talents" along with Zhang Yin, Xue Yu and others from the same county. The court issued an edict to arrest several of them on charges of forming cliques, but Liu Biao escaped and was spared.

Later, the court lifted the ban on political parties, and General He Jin hired Liu Biao as a staff member in the General's office. Soon after, Liu Biao was appointed as the commander of the Northern Army.

In the sixth year of the Zhongping era (189 AD), Emperor Ling of Han died. Soon after, Dong Zhuo seized power, deposed Emperor Shao (Liu Bian), and installed Emperor Xian of Han (Liu Xie).

In the first year of the reign of Emperor Xian of Han (190 AD), Sun Jian, the governor of Changsha, attacked and killed Wang Rui, the governor of Jingzhou. The court then issued an edict appointing Liu Biao to succeed Wang Rui as the governor of Jingzhou.

At that time, bandits were rampant in the Jingzhou region, and General Yuan Shu had stationed his troops in Luyang. Liu Biao had no choice but to ride alone into Yicheng, where he conspired with Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue from Zhonglu County, and Cai Mao from Xiangyang.

Kuai Yue suggested to Liu Biao that he use a plan to kill the rebel leaders in Jingzhou. Liu Biao listened and ordered Kuai Yue to send people to persuade the rebel leaders in Jingzhou to surrender. Fifteen people came, and Liu Biao killed them all. He then sent troops to attack and seize their followers. As a result, the bandits in Jingzhou were terrified.

Liu Biao then sent Kuai Yue and Pang Ji alone to persuade them to surrender. Liu Biao further dispatched Kuai Yue and Pang Ji to Xiangyang, where they persuaded the rebel leaders Zhang Hu and Chen Zuo, who were defending the city, to surrender, thus pacifying the entire Jiangnan region. Liu Biao then reorganized his troops in Xiangyang, awaiting further developments.

In the third year of the Chuping era (192 AD), Yuan Shu, who controlled Nanyang, joined forces with Sun Jian, the governor of Changsha, in an attempt to seize Jingzhou.

Yuan Shu dispatched Sun Jian to lead troops to attack Liu Biao. Liu Biao's army was defeated, and Sun Jian then led his troops to besiege Xiangyang.

Just then, Liu Biao's general Huang Zu led troops to his rescue. The two armies clashed, and Sun Jian was killed by a stray arrow. His troops also fled in defeat, and Yuan Shu was unable to defeat Liu Biao thereafter.

In May of the same year, Minister Wang Yun executed Dong Zhuo; Dong Zhuo's generals Li Jue, Guo Si and others led troops to occupy Chang'an, control the court and plotted to cause chaos, intending to win over Liu Biao as an ally.

In October of the same year, Li Jue and Guo Si then submitted a memorial to Emperor Xian of Han, promoting Liu Biao to General Who Guards the South and Governor of Jingzhou, enfeoffing him as Marquis of Chengwu, and granting him the authority to act on behalf of the emperor.

In the first year of Jian'an (196 AD), Cao Cao welcomed Emperor Xian of Han and moved the capital to Xuchang. Although Liu Biao also sent envoys to Xuchang to pay tribute, he secretly contacted Yuan Shao, the governor of Ji Province in the north.

Deng Xi, an official under Liu Biao, advised against this, but Liu Biao did not listen. Deng Xi then resigned and left, never serving as an official again during Liu Biao's lifetime.

That same winter, General Zhang Ji led his troops into Jingzhou territory to attack Rangcheng, where he was killed by a stray arrow.

Upon hearing the news, the officials of Jingzhou came to congratulate Liu Biao. Liu Biao, however, believed that Zhang Ji had only come to Jingzhou to seek refuge with him because of his difficult circumstances.
I should have treated them with courtesy, but a misunderstanding led to war between the two armies, which was not my intention at all.

Liu Biao then sent men to incorporate Zhang Ji's army. After learning of Liu Biao's regret over Zhang Ji's death, all of Zhang Ji's generals submitted to Liu Biao.

In the third year of Jian'an (198 AD), Zhang Xian, the governor of Changsha, led the commanderies of Lingling, Guiyang and Changsha in rebellion against Liu Biao. Liu Biao led his troops to attack Zhang Xian, but could not conquer him for a long time.

In the winter of the fifth year of Jian'an (200 AD), Zhang Xian died of illness, and his subordinates then supported his son Zhang Yi as the governor of Changsha.

Taking advantage of the situation, Liu Biao launched an attack, defeated Zhang Yi, and then marched south to capture the two commanderies of Lingling and Guiyang. He then moved north to control the lower reaches of the Han River, occupying a territory of several thousand li and possessing more than 100,000 elite troops.

After Liu Biao pacified Jingzhou, he protected the territory and its people. Confucian scholars from Guanzhong, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou flocked to him. Liu Biao comforted and provided relief to them, and settled them well.
He also built schools, promoted Confucianism, and presided over scholars such as Qi Wukai and Song Zhong to compile "Commentaries on the Five Classics", which was called "Later Edition".

At that time, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were locked in a stalemate at Guandu. Yuan Shao sent an envoy to Liu Biao seeking help. Liu Biao verbally agreed, but in reality, he neither sent troops nor helped Cao Cao. Liu Biao planned to occupy the Yangtze and Han River basins and observe the changing situation of the world.

Han Song, the Attendant Gentleman, and Liu Xian, the Prefect, jointly advised Liu Biao, arguing that with Cao Cao and Yuan Shao vying for power, Liu Biao was the one who could influence the overall situation of the world.

If Liu Biao wanted to achieve something, he should seize the opportunity to raise an army and contend for the world; if Liu Biao did not want to contend for the world, he should choose between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, and support and submit to one of them.

Liu Biao now commands an army of 100,000, yet he sits idly by, watching the outcome unfold. He refuses to send troops to help those who plead for aid, inevitably incurring resentment from both sides. Judging by the situation, Cao Cao will surely defeat Yuan Shao.
At that time, Cao Cao was invading from the south, and Liu Biao would likely be unable to resist. Therefore, it would be better to surrender the entire Jingzhou to Cao Cao, which would surely earn him Cao Cao's favor and gratitude, benefiting his descendants.

Kuai Yue, one of Liu Biao's generals, also believed that Liu Biao should submit to Cao Cao. Liu Biao hesitated, so he sent Han Song to Cao Cao to observe the situation.

When Han Song arrived in Xuchang, he was appointed by the court as a Chamberlain and the Prefect of Lingling Commandery. When Han Song returned to Jingzhou, he praised Cao Cao's benevolence to Liu Biao and persuaded Liu Biao to send his son to Xuchang as a hostage to show his sincerity in submitting to Cao Cao.

Liu Biao believed that Han Song harbored disloyal intentions and was furious. He wanted to have Han Song executed. He also tortured Han Song's entourage to death, but he still could not obtain any evidence that Han Song had betrayed him. Only then did Liu Biao spare Han Song's life.

In the sixth year of Jian'an (201 AD), Liu Biao sent 10,000 infantry and cavalry to capture Xi'e County.

In the same year, Cao Cao attacked Liu Bei, who was defeated and sought refuge with Liu Biao in Jingzhou. Liu Biao treated him as an honored guest, increased Liu Bei's troops, and stationed him in Xinye. Talented people in Jingzhou gradually joined Liu Bei, but Liu Biao suspected Liu Bei of disloyalty and therefore did not give him important positions. The following year, during Cao Cao's campaign against Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, Liu Biao sent Liu Bei to lead troops northward to invade. Reaching Ye County, Cao Cao sent Li Dian, along with Xiahou Dun, to intercept them. Liu Bei led his troops to defeat the armies of Cao Cao's generals Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin at Bowang.

In the twelfth year of Jian'an (207 AD), Cao Cao launched a northern expedition against the Wuhuan, and his army penetrated deep into Liucheng. Liu Bei advised Liu Biao to take the opportunity to attack Xudu, but Liu Biao did not listen.

In July of the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208 AD), Cao Cao led a large army to conquer Liu Biao in the south; before Cao Cao's army arrived in Jingzhou, Liu Biao died of illness.

After Liu Biao's death, his generals Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, and others supported his youngest son Liu Cong to succeed him; Liu Biao's eldest son Liu Qi was appointed as the governor of Jiangxia Commandery.

In September of the same year, Cao Cao's army arrived in Xiangyang, and Liu Cong led his troops to surrender to Cao Cao.

In July of the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208), Cao Cao personally led a large army south to attack Jingzhou, and the situation in Jingzhou became critical.

Meanwhile, Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, was seriously ill. His eldest son, Liu Qi, returned to visit him, clearly with some ulterior motive, but was immediately sent back to Jiangxia.

It turns out that Liu Biao had been hesitant to make a decision on the matter of choosing an heir.

If the successor is uncertain, endless internal strife will harm the overall interests.

In the matter of choosing an heir, the traditional practice is to establish the eldest son as the heir, in order to avoid dissent and internal power struggles.

Liu Biao originally intended to make his eldest son Liu Qi his heir because Liu Qi looked very much like him and was quite fond of him.

However, Liu Biao's first wife died young, and he then married Lady Cai. Lady Cai married her niece to Liu Biao's second son, Liu Cong, and constantly whispered sweet nothings in Liu Biao's ear, causing Liu Biao's heart to tip towards Liu Cong.

In addition, Cai's brother Cai Mao and nephew Zhang Yun were also favored by Liu Biao, and the two often spoke ill of Liu Qi in front of Liu Biao.

Public opinion can be devastating, and Liu Qi gradually lost power. To avoid trouble, he could only flee far away and hide in Jiangxia.

After Liu Biao's death, Cai Mao and others deposed the eldest son and installed the younger one, Liu Cong, as the governor of Jingzhou. Now, with Cao Cao's army pressing in, Jingzhou's main strategists, such as Kuai Yue and Cai Mao, all advocated surrender.

With no outside support, Liu Cong had no choice but to surrender, and Jingzhou fell. Liu Biao had painstakingly managed Jingzhou for nearly twenty years, only to end up with nothing.

Back then, Dong Zhuo, in the name of the imperial court, appointed Liu Biao as the governor of Jingzhou. At that time, Jingzhou was leaderless and plagued by bandits. Liu Biao wanted to take up the post, but was separated from it by Yuan Shu's territory, so he had no choice but to go to Jingzhou alone incognito.

After arriving in Jingzhou, he united with prominent families in Jingxiang, such as the Kuai and Cai clans, to eliminate various forces, thus laying the foundation for his rule and ensuring the peace of Jingzhou. Liu Bei's pacification of Jingzhou with only one person became a widely celebrated story.

However, Liu Biao was hesitant and powerless when it came to choosing an heir. He certainly wanted to make his eldest son, Liu Qi, the heir, but his younger son, Liu Cong, was backed by the power of the Cai family.

Liu Biao was nominally the ruler of a province, but he lacked the absolute power to suppress the local powerful clans, and he even married Lady Cai. Therefore, Liu Qi had no choice but to flee to avoid disaster, and Jingzhou instantly defected to Cao Cao.

Liu Biao was not wrong to rely on the power of local powerful families to control Jingzhou. His mistake was that after controlling Jingzhou, he remained dependent on them for too long and failed to build his own power. Moreover, his son was weak and incompetent, so it was inevitable that the region would eventually be controlled by these powerful families.

The story's ending is poignant. The Cai and Kuai families played crucial roles in the surrender of Jingzhou to Cao Cao. After surrendering, Cai Mao served under Cao Cao and was eventually enfeoffed as the Marquis of Hanyang.

Cai Mao retained his wealth and status; his mansion in Caizhou was magnificent, with hundreds of concubines and maids, and forty or fifty villas. Even during the Jin Dynasty, the Cai family remained incredibly wealthy.

After entering Wei, the Kuai clan established kinship ties with prominent families such as the Wang clan of Donghai through marriage alliances.

The prominent families of Jingzhou and Xiangyang weathered the storm of the Wei-Jin transition smoothly, while the descendants of Liu Biao were lost to the dust of history. Liu Qi and Liu Cong were ridiculed by Cao Cao as "Liu Jingsheng's sons are like pigs and dogs."

When talking about Jingzhou during the Three Kingdoms period, one cannot help but mention Liu Biao. He was a warlord at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, who controlled the strategically important Jingzhou and had gathered a group of capable generals under his command.

Liu Biao once had seven fierce generals under his command: Wen Pin, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, Huang Zhong, Wei Yan, Huo Jun, and Gan Ning.

These seven men were all quite capable at the time, but unfortunately, after Liu Biao's death, the situation in Jingzhou collapsed, and these fierce generals went their separate ways.

Cao Cao and Liu Bei each recruited three, leaving only the most capable Gan Ning, who then surrendered to Sun Quan.

Liu Biao was of noble birth, a member of the Han imperial family, and was quite famous in his youth.

He was sent to Jingzhou as governor at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. At that time, the world was in chaos, and Jingzhou was also divided by powerful clans and rampant with bandits.

When Liu Biao arrived in Jingzhou, he didn't bring many troops, but with his intelligence and skill, he managed to subdue the region.

He won over local powerful clans, such as the Cai and Kuai clans, and recruited many capable generals, gradually turning Jingzhou into a rare stable area in the chaotic world.

Jingzhou's geographical location is crucial. It borders the Central Plains to the north, the Yangtze River to the south, Yizhou to the west, and the territory of Sun Wu to the east.

Logically speaking, Liu Biao could have accomplished great things with this valuable land. However, he was a conservative and unambitious person with no desire to contend for supremacy.

He governed Jingzhou well, attracting many northern scholars to flee south to escape the chaos, but he was always hesitant in military matters, neither going north to confront Cao Cao head-on nor going south to cause trouble for the Sun brothers.

When he died of illness in 208 AD, the problem of succession within Jingzhou had not been resolved, and the state collapsed under the pressure of Cao Cao's army.

After Liu Biao's death, his youngest son Liu Cong took over. Faced with Cao Cao's southward advance, Liu Cong could not hold out and surrendered directly, thus Jingzhou changed hands.

At this time, his seven fierce generals also began to disband; some joined Cao Cao, some followed Liu Bei, and one went to Sun Quan's side. (End of this chapter)