The Three Kingdoms period of China lasted from 220–280 AD after the collapse of the Han dynasty, and was succeeded by the Jin dynasty. Named after the three kingdoms of Wei (魏), Shu Han (蜀漢) and Wu (吳), it was a period of intense war featuring some of the greatest warriors and generals of Chinese history. It was also, for some reason, the setting for the final expansion of the Portal block, Portal: Three Kingdoms, regarded as one of the worst expansions of all time. The low power level of Portal: Three Kingdoms is comparable only to other legendarily weak expansions like Homelands and Masques block.
In this deck, you take up the mantle of Liu Bei, Lord of Shu and his comrades in your quest to conquer China! Or...at least win an EDH game. Liu Bei took a starring role in Luo Guanzhong's (羅貫中) 14th century work, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三國演義). Although based on history, it was still first and foremost a novel, and a more accurate detail of the events of Liu Bei's life comes from Chen Shou's (陳壽) Records of the Three Kingdoms (三國志), which was written around the time of the Three Kingdoms period. Liu Bei is painted as a well liked and wise ruler who selected good advisors and ruled benevolently.
Biography:
Liu Bei (劉備) lived from 161-223 AD and founder of the Shu Han dynasty. He grew up to a poor family without a father, and sold shoes and straw-mats along with his mother in order to survive. Nevertheless, he had great ambition, and even as a child expressed his desire to become an emperor. He become more politically active in 184, after the rise of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and fought them multiple times. He was appointed by the Han government to Prefect (令) of the Anxi County (安喜縣), and later Prefect and Commandment (都尉) of the Gaotang County (高唐縣).
In 194, the armies of Cao Cao, Lord of Wei (曹操) (although he had not yet established the Kingdom of Wei) attacked Tao Qian (陶謙). Liu Bei, supervised by Tian Kai (田楷), lead their army to support Tao Qian. Cao Cao would later retreat after one of his subordinates, Zhang Miao (張邈) rebelled and allowed Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms (Although his name is actually more closely spelt Lü Bu, and will be referred to as such) (呂布) to take over. Tao Qian asked Liu Bei to station his army in nearby Xiaopei (小沛) and reinforced him with more troops. Liu Bei then deserted his supervisor for Tao Qian, who would become Liu Bei's mentor. Lui Bei then went about razing an army and amassing political connections, including from the two most powerful families in the Xu Province (徐州), the Mi (麋) family headed by Mi Zhu (麋竺) and Mi Fang (麋芳), and Chen (陳) family headed by Chen Gui (陳珪) and Chen Deng (陳登). Liu Bei married Mi Zhu's younger sister, Lady Mi (麋夫人).
Tao Qian died in 194, and the Mi family backed Liu Bei to be the new Governor of Xu Province. Liu Bei was hesitant at first, when Chen Qun (陳群) told him Yuan Shu (袁術) would fight for control of the Xu Province. After consulting with Kong Rong (孔融) and Chen Deng, Liu Bei took their advice and formed an alliance with Yuan Shao, the Indecisive (袁紹), who would eventually recognise Liu Bei's legitimacy as Governor of Xu Province.
In 195, Lü Bu was defeated by Cao Cao and sought shelter under Liu Bei. The next year, Yuan Shu sent general Ji Ling (紀靈) to invade Xu Province. Liu Bei amassed an army to counter Ji's advances. They would have a months long standoff where not much was accomplished. But back home, political strife was happening. Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior (張飛), who Liu Bei had left in control of Xiapi Commandery (下邳郡), murdered Cao Bao (曹豹), the Chancellor of Xiapi after a quarrel. This caused enough unrest for Lü Bu (who was famous for betraying literally everyone he worked with) to take over, and capture Liu Bei's family. Upon hearing this news, Liu Bei immediately headed back for Xiapi Commandery, but most of his troops deserted along the way. With his remaining men, Liu Bei retreated to Guangling Commandery (廣陵郡) where Yuan Shu's forces defeated him, forcing him to again retreat to Haixi County (海西縣). Surrounded and with a lack of supplies, him and his men had to resort to cannibalism before surrendering to Lü Bu in return for his family's return. Lü Bu then ordered Liu Bei to help him resist Yuan Shu, fearing that Yuan Shu would turn on him after destroying Liu Bei. Liu Bei then moved to Xiaopei (小沛) and amassed an army of 10,000 men. Lü Bu, noticing Liu Bei's rising army and fearing he would turn on him, launched a preemptive invasion of Xiaopei.
Liu Bei fled to the imperial capital, Xuchang (許昌), taking shelter under Cao Cao, who was had been controlling the central Han government after bringing Emperor Xian of Han (漢獻帝) to Xuchang. Cao Cao would have the Emperor appoint Liu Bei as as Governor of Yu Province (豫州) and gave him control of some troops. Liu Bei then returned to Xiaopei to keep an eye on Lü Bu.
In 198, Lü Bu renewed his alliance with Yuan Shu to counter Cao Cao's growing influence and sent Gao Shun (高順) and Zhang Liao (張遼) to attack Liu Bei at Xiaopei. Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun (夏侯惇) to assist Liu Bei, but they were still defeated by Gao Shun. Liu Bei fled to Xunchang (許昌) for shelter under Cao Cao, who would personally bring Liu Bei along with an army to attack Lü Bu. After Lü Bu's defeat, he was captured and offered to join Cao Cao. Cao Cao considered this, but his advisors warned him that Lü Bu had betrayed literally everyone he worked for, and had Lü Bu executed.
199 would see Cao Cao enjoying strong political support, due to his control of the Emperor Xian and Han government. Liu Bei, along with many others including Dong Cheng (董承) would instigate a conspiracy to assassinate Cao Cao, after Dong Cheng claimed Emperor Xian had given him a secret edict to assassinate Cao Cao. At the same time, Liu Bei wished to leave Xunchang and be free of Cao Cao's control. Because of this, when word reached Liu Bei that Yuan Shu was to join with Yuan Shao after the former's defeat, Liu Bei requested to Cao Cao an army and permission to stop Yuan Shu. Cao Cao agreed and sent Liu Bei, along with Zhu Ling (朱靈) to stop Yuan Shu, who fled to Shouchun (壽春). Zhu Ling returned to Cao Cao, while Liu Bei remained to take control of the Xu Province after murdering Che Zhou (車冑). Liu Bei then moved to Xiaopei and left Guan Yu, Sainted Warrior (關羽) in charge of Xu Province's capital, Xiapi Commandery.
While this was happening, Yuan Shao was preparing to attack Cao Cao in the Henan (河南) region. Liu Bei sent his advisor, Sun Qian (孫乾) to negotiate with Yuan Shao and request that he launch an immediate attack on Cao Cao, but Yuan Shao refused. In 200, Cao Cao discovered Dong Cheng's conspiracy and had all the participants rounded up and executed along with their families. Liu Bei survived the purge because he was not in Xuchang.
After Cao Cao had achieved stability in Xuchang, set off for Yuan Shao. He fortified many key crossing points along the south banks of the Yellow River (黃河) and set up a main camp at Guandu (官渡). Whilst doing this, he sent subordinates Liu Dai (劉岱) and Wang Zhong (王忠) to battle Liu Bei, but they were defeated. Cao Cao then made a highly risky move: He predicted that Yuan Shao would not make any advances so he secretly left his defensive position along the Yellow River and personally led an army to Xu Province to attack Liu Bei. Under the weight of Cao Cao's attacks, Liu Bei's forces quickly disintegrated and Xu Province fell to Cao Cao. Zhang Fei protected Liu Bei as he fled from Xiaopei after his defeat; Guan Yu, isolated in Xiapi Commandery, was captured by Cao Cao's forces and decided to surrender and temporarily serve under Cao Cao. Liu Bei headed north to join Yuan Shao, who welcomed him. He participated in the Battle of Yan Ford (延津之戰) alongside Yuan Shao's general Wen Chou (文丑) against Cao Cao's forces, but they suffered a defeat and Wen Chou was killed in battle.
In the meantime, Liu Pi (劉辟), a former Yellow Turban rebel, started a revolt in Runan Commandery (汝南郡). Liu Bei convinced Yuan Shao to "lend" him troops to assist Liu Pi. Liu Bei and Liu Pi then led their forces from Runan Commandery to attack Xuchang while Cao Cao was away at Guandu, but they were defeated and driven back by Cao Ren (曹仁). Liu Bei then returned to Yuan Shao and urged him to ally with Liu Biao (劉表), the Governor of Jing Province (荊州). Yuan Shao then sent him with some troops to Runan Commandery to assist another rebel leader, Gong Du (共都/龔都). Liu Bei and Gong Du defeated and killed Cai Yang (蔡陽), one of Cao Cao's officers who led troops to attack them.
In 201, Cao Cao led his army to attack Liu Bei in Runan Commandery after his victory over Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu (官渡之戰). After Cao Cao's victory over Liu Bei, he fled to take shelter in Jing Province (荊州) under Liu Biao (劉表). Liu Biao did not trust Liu Bei, although he did treat him as an honoured guest. Despite this lack of trust between the two, Liu Biao did allow Liu Bei to station his troops in Xinye County (新野县) to guard against Cao Cao's advances.
After staying in Jing Province for around 7 years, Liu Bei met Liu Biao and wept, when asked why, Liu Bei responded: "In earlier times, I've never left the saddle. My thighs were thin. Now I do not ride anymore, they are fat and flabby. The days and months pass like a stream, and old age will come, but I have achieved nothing. That's why I am sad."
In 202, Cao Cao sent Yu Jin (于禁) and Xiahou Dun (夏侯惇) to attack Liu Bei, although Liu Bei successfully ambushed them and defeated them at the Battle of Bowang (博望之戰). In 207, Cao Cao planned a campaign to conquer the Wuhaun (烏桓) people in the north. But was apprehensive that Liu Biao may attack his base, although Cao Cao was assured by Guo Jia (郭嘉) that Liu Biao would not do so out of fear that Liu Bei was more powerful than him. Cao Cao agreed with Guo Jia, who would be proven right when Liu Biao refused to attack Xu, against Liu Bei's advice.
Jing Province, away from the eastern battlefields and under Liu Biao's efficient rule, would become prosperous and a popular destination for the educated classes fleeing from the wars. Liu Bei would ask Sima Hui (司馬徽), who was known for his reclusiveness, about scholars. Sima Hui's friend, Pang Dedong (龐德公), would name Zhuge Liang (諸葛亮) and Pang Tong, "Young Phoenix" (龐統) as exceptional talents able to comprehend the events quite well. Xu Shu (徐庶) would also recommend Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei. It would take Liu Bei three visits to finally have an audience with Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang would present Liu Bei with the long term Longzhong Plan (隆中對), outlying the takeover of Jing Province and Yi Province (益州), setting up a two-pronged final strike at the imperial capital.
Liu Biao would die in 208, being succedded by his younger son, Liu Cong (劉琮), who would surrender to Cao Cao without informing Liu Bei. By the time Liu Bei would be informed of Liu Cong's surrender, Cao Cao's army had reached Wan (宛). Liu Bei and his troops would abandom Fancheng District (樊城区), leading civilians and some of Liu Biao's followers on an exodus southward. By the time they reached Dangyang (當陽), Liu Bei's followers numbered in the 100,000's and they moved at only 10 li (里) a day (approximately 4158 metres). Liu Bei would send Guan Yu ahead to wait for him in Jiangling County (江陵縣) where abundant supplies and arsenal were stored, with Jing Province's fleet.
As Cao Cao was afraid Liu Bei would reach Jiangling County before him, he lead his cavalry on persuit. In a day and a night, Cao Cao would catch up with Liu Bei, capturing most of his people and baggage at the Battle of Changban (長坂之戰). Liu Bei, leaving even his family behind, fled with only a few of his followers. With Guan Yu's fleet, they crossed the Min River (岷江)* to Jiangxia Commandery (江夏郡), and the Yangtze River (長江) to Hankou (漢口), taking shelter under Liu Qi (劉琦), elder son of Liu Biao. Liu Qi objected to Liu Cong's surrender to Cao Cao, holding onto and maintaining Jiangxia Commandery and Xiakou, allowing more of his father's subordinates to escape Cao Cao.
While still in Dangyang, Lu Su (魯肅) would hint to Liu Bei that he should ally with [Sun Quan, Lord of Wu] (孫權) (although he had not yet established the Kingdom of Wu) against Cao Cao. As Liu Bei's representative, Zhuge Liang would follow Lu Su to meet Sun Quan in Chaisang County (柴桑縣), where they would discuss an alliance against Cao Cao.
Liu Bei and Sun Quan would found an alliance against Cao Cao's southward expansion. Cao Cao and the Sun-Liu alliance would meet at the famous Battle of Red Cliffs (赤壁之戰), which ended in a decisive win for the Sun-Liu alliance. Cao Cao would retreat northward, leaving behind Cao Ren (曹仁) and Xu Huang (徐晃) to defend Jiangling County, and Yue Jin (樂進) to defend Xiangyang (襄陽).
The forces of Sun Quan, lead by Zhou Yu, Chief Commander (周瑜), would attack Cao Ren's forces to wrestle for control of Jiangling County. Liu Bei recommended Liu Qi to be the new Inspector of Jing Province and led his men to capture the four commanderies in southern Jing Province – Changsha (長沙), Lingling (零陵), Guiyang (桂陽) and Wuling (武陵). Liu Bei set up his base at Gong'an County and continued to strengthen his forces. Liu Bei would set up his base at Gong'an County (公安縣), continuing to strengthen his forces. In 209, Liu Qi would die, leaving Liu Bei to succeed him as inspector of Jing Province.
In order to further strengthen the alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan, Liu Bei would travel to Sun Quan's territory to marry Sun Quan's younger sister, Lady Sun (孫夫人). After this political marriage, Sun Quan would not only recognise the legitimacy of Liu Bei's control over southern Jing Province, but would agree to "lend" Nan Commandery (南郡) to him.
Because of these developments, former subordinates of Liu Biao, unwilling to serve under Cao Cao, would come to join Liu Bei. After Zhou Yu's death in 210, and Liu Bei's increasing influence of the souther Jing Province, Sun Quan's northern positions were becoming more difficult to maintain. Lu Shu would succeed Zhong Yu as Sun Quan's frontline commander. Lu Shu would move the headquarters to Lukou (陸口), yielding all commanderies of Jing Province (except Jiangxia Commandery) and access to Yi Province to Liu Bei. In diplomatic terms, Sun Quan's side thought that they were "lending" Jing Province to Liu Bei as a temporary base that should be returned to them after Liu Bei found another base.
In 211, warlord Lui Zhang (劉璋), who was governour of Yi Province, learned that Cao Cao was planning to attack fellow warlord Zhang Lu (張魯) in Hanzhong Commandery (漢中). As Hanzong was a strategic location and northern gateway to Yi Province, Liu Zhang would follow the advice of Zhang Song (張松) and send Fa Zheng (法正) to form an alliance of Liu Bei. Although privately, Zhang Song and Fa Zheng didn't aprove of Lui Zhang's leadership and looked to Liu Bei was a more legitmate successor. Liu Zhang would invite Liu Bei to join him in Yi Province to capture Hanzhong Commandery before Cao Cao did.
NOT FINISHED YET.
Strategy:
There isn't really much one can give in terms of playstyle. Portal: Three Kingdoms was a very bad set, many of the cards here are directly outclassed by other cards. But the large amount of Humans makes for good synergy with Vanquisher's Banner, the mono-white focus makes for good discounts with Oketra's Monument, and the large amount of Legendaries makes for MAXIMUM BANDING with Cathedral of Serra. Also, Battering Ram! I like Battering Ram. Use it to kill Pramikon, Sky Rampart or something.
I had a great time reading about Liu Bei accomplishments on Wikipedia. And I figured that you guys might enjoy some videos if you're interested in an incredible period of Chinese history. So here!
I'm not actually sure if it's the Min River in Sichuan or the Min River in Fujian. I'm pretty sure it's the one in Sinchuan since it's connected to the Yangtze. Wikipedia also says it's the "Mian River". But I'm pretty sure they're talking about the Min.
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