Liu Bei
Born in 161 AD, Liu Bei was an important figure in 14th-century China until his death in 223 AD as a result of a long, debilitating illness. Throughout the novel, Bei is portrayed as a kind and benevolent leader who is responsible for many good things happening in China. His subjects are portrayed as being grateful for his leadership and everything that comes with it.
To that end, Bei was the founder of Shu Han (a large dynastic state in China during the 14th century) in the Three Kingdoms period. Bei was that state's first emperor; he used that position to wage war against neighboring states, none of whom he particularly liked. Despite his relatively modest origins, Bei successfully established himself as a charismatic leader within his kingdom, giving him the ability to do all of what he wanted to. He formed a strong alliance with Sun Quan, another emperor, and leader of a large militaristic state within China, to oppose Cao Cao, yet another militaristic leader within China.
Although he was reasonably well-liked by those around them, Liu Bei's reign was marked by a focus on domestic affairs and strengthening his state rather than other foreign entanglements. His focus in ruling was fairly single-minded.
Guan Yu
Guan Yu is a crucial secondary character in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. A general and military strategist, he served under Liu Bei for many years and was celebrated for his loyalty and valor in battle. He was often regarded as a genius by those around him because of his actions and strategic brilliance.
He played a significant role in the early stages of the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han. Beyond the novel, Guan Yu is one of the best-known Chinese historical figures throughout East Asia and has been idolized throughout the entire region.
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was born in 155 AD and died in 220 AD after having lived a long life full of success and heartache. Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate Chancellor of the Eastern Han dynasty, which ruled over much of China during the 14th Century. He played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the Wei state in the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, wherein three kingdoms ruled all of China.
Cao Cao was adept at many things, including poetry and military strategy. Throughout his many battles, Cao Cao was remembered for his crafty and, oftentimes, ruthless tactics that resulted in the deaths of countless people. In the Battle of Red Cliffs, for instance, he engineered a seemingly brilliant strategy. However, he ultimately failed because his troops were outnumbered by Liu Bei. Still, Cao Cao is portrayed as a villain in the novel.
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was born in 181 AD and served as the chancellor and regent of the state of Shu Han for many years before his death in 234 AD. Liang was a statesman, military strategist, writer, and inventor known for affecting the Shu Han in many ways—both good and bad. Throughout the novel, Liang is portrayed as an almost mythical figure. He is loyal, supremely intelligent, and adept at adapting to seemingly any situation.
