The era of the Three Kingdoms is a period of constant upheaval, filled with heroic figures across the land. Among these notable characters, Liu Bei stands out as a unique individual. Originating from humble beginnings as a “shoe seller,” he leveraged his personal charisma to rise to prominence.
At the outset of his campaigns, Liu Bei lacked any concrete strategic plans; he often reacted to circumstances as they arose. Despite gaining some fame, he was still far from establishing a solid reputation. It was not until he encountered Zhuge Liang, who later joined his cause, that Liu Bei began to ascend into the political spotlight. One might say that Zhuge Liang’s decision to descend from the mountain and serve Liu Bei was the most fortunate event of Liu Bei’s life.
However, according to Sohu and Sina, alongside his fortunate encounters with Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei also faced numerous setbacks and challenges. If all talented individuals had been available to him, the outcome for Liu Bei might have been dramatically different.
Five Notable Figures Who Assisted Liu Bei
Shu Kinh, the Sage
First on the list is Zhuge Liang—revered as Shu Kinh, the Sage of the military strategist. Zhuge Liang was a representative figure in the realm of Kinh Chau, often overshadowed by the pressing power of the Thai Mao region. He had no chance to showcase his talents in the early days, often relegated to a secondary role. In reality, his capabilities were unmatched by many.
Zhuge Liang was well-versed in various fields, including philosophy, literature, and military tactics, demonstrating exceptional talent. Even Liu Bei himself, who came from humble beginnings, recognized Zhuge Liang’s brilliance and sought his assistance. If Zhuge Liang had not agreed to help Liu Bei, he could have helped build a more formidable talent pool, potentially rivaling the existing powers of the time.
A figure of such caliber, Liu Bei naturally sought to engage him. However, Zhuge Liang had a noble disposition and preferred to avoid political disputes. His assistance to Liu Bei ultimately focused solely on human resources, without altering the foundational dynamics of the late Han Dynasty. This was not merely Liu Bei’s celebration but also a significant commemoration of the strategist’s capabilities.
The Four Talents of the Zhuge Clan
Next, we have the group known as the “Four Talents of the Zhuge Clan”: the one who captured Bo Lang, Thoi Chau Binh (from Quan), the one who captured Dinh Xuyen, Thach Quang Nguyen (from Thao) and Tu Nguyen Truc (from Thu), and the one who captured Nhu Nam, Manh Cong Uy (from Kien). These four individuals were all close confidants of Zhuge Liang and each possessed exceptional talents.
According to the historical text “Records of the Three Kingdoms,” Zhuge Liang once expressed on a boat sailing with Manh, Tu, and Thach: “I know what roles you might assume in the future. You could all potentially serve as economic advisors or strategists.”
Thoi Chau Binh
Thoi Chau Binh was a notable strategist, often serving as a military advisor under Viên Thiệu. After Dong Trác entered the capital to establish his rule, he lost favor with Viên Thiệu. Dong Trác sought to eliminate Viên Thiệu, but the latter managed to escape. In an effort to retreat, Dong Trác killed the father of Thoi Chau Binh. Upon hearing this news, Thoi Chau Binh was devastated, believing himself to be the cause of his father’s demise. He resolutely decided to return to his homeland to cultivate his fields and refrain from further conflict. When he did leave, Viên Thiệu, despite his reluctance, eventually had to let him go.
Thach Quang Nguyen and Tu Nguyen Truc
Thach Quang Nguyen and Tu Nguyen Truc both hailed from Dinh Xuyen, a region known for producing many talents. They assisted Liu Bei and achieved numerous significant successes. In the context of the Three Kingdoms, Tu Nguyen Truc became renowned for his strategic capabilities. He famously utilized strategies against the prominent generals of the time, securing victories that matched Liu Bei’s own achievements. His talents were not inferior to those of Zhuge Liang.
The prowess of Thach Quang Nguyen was comparable to that of Tu Nguyen Truc. According to Liu Bei’s assessments, both of them could have been distinguished as strategists or advisors; however, Liu Bei ultimately undervalued their capabilities. After Zhuge Liang allied with Liu Bei, both of them traveled north under the leadership of Tào Tháo, with Tu Nguyen Truc serving in the Northwest while Thach Quang Nguyen handled agricultural affairs. When Liu Bei advanced northward, hearing news of his two comrades, he could not help but lament, “Why are so many talents left here? Why are these two not given the opportunity to shine?” This reveals that these two individuals were not only strategic advisors but also had the capacity for significant roles in governance.
Manh Cong Uy
Regarding Manh Cong Uy, historical records are quite sparse. It is known that after Zhuge Liang ventured out, he also served as an advisor in the Northern region. Later, Manh Kien became the governor of Lưỡng Châu, while Chinh Đồ became the military commander, earning a solid reputation for his administrative capabilities. It can be assumed that, given his performances alongside Zhuge Liang, Tu Nguyen Truc, and Thoi Quân, Manh Kien’s talents were certainly not lacking.
Indeed, these figures had their unique reasons for joining Liu Bei. During three successive encounters, Liu Bei met Thoi Quân first; after assessing his talents, he sought to bring him into his fold. However, Thoi Quân, due to his father’s unfortunate demise, sought every means to avoid joining. Ultimately, he returned to his homeland in Kinh Chau. Meanwhile, Thach Quang Nguyen and Manh Kien, although they had just been introduced to Liu Bei, did not regard him highly and thus chose not to follow. For these individuals, if Liu Bei had remained steadfast alongside Zhuge Liang, it is uncertain whether they would have ever stepped into the light of history. On the other hand, Tu Nguyen Truc was less fortunate, as he was captured by Tào Tháo, which led him to be forced to leave Liu Bei’s service.
In summary, the absence of these talented individuals highlights the limitations of Liu Bei’s administration. His human resources could only be described with the term “insufficient talent” to paint a vivid picture. To seize the strategic advantage of the region, the three talented individuals—Thoi Quân, Thach Quang Nguyen, and Manh Kien—could have provided Liu Bei with the necessary support to flourish. Despite their potential, they ultimately did not play a role in shaping the historical trajectory of the Three Kingdoms.
According to Sohu, Sina, 163
