Liu Bei

Raised a militia to fight the Yellow Turban Rebellion. His oath of brotherhood with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in a peach garden became one of the most retold scenes in Chinese literature.

Recruited Zhuge Liang as his strategist after visiting his thatched cottage three times. The young genius initially refused. Liu Bei went back. And back again. Zhuge Liang finally agreed.

Allied with Sun Quan to defeat Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs. A combined fleet used fire ships to destroy Cao Cao's navy on the Yangtze River. The victory prevented unification under Cao Cao.

Declared himself Emperor of Shu Han, claiming legitimate succession to the fallen Han Dynasty. His territory covered modern Sichuan and parts of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Hubei.

Launched a massive invasion of Sun Quan's Wu kingdom to avenge Guan Yu's execution. Lost catastrophically at the Battle of Yiling. The defeat shattered his army and his health.

Died at Baidicheng, entrusting his young son and his kingdom to Zhuge Liang. "If my son proves incompetent, you may take the throne yourself," he said. Zhuge Liang wept and refused.