From 209 to 219, Liu Bei conquered more states and expended his territory. In 208, Liu Bei got famous general Zhuge Liang's help and united Sun Quan and Zhou Yu to defeat Cao Cao in the Battle of Red Cliff. He relied a lot on other dukes' help, including Cao Cao. He built up his army with businessmen's sponsorship, but was still very weak. He had a nice personality and made friends with many heroes and prominent figures. His father died early and his mother made money by selling straw mats and straw sandals.

Liu Bei was one of the descendants of the King of Jing in the Han Dynasty era, but his family fortune declined. It was not easy for Liu Bei to established Shu Han Kingdom.

Liu Bei Worked Hard to Establish the Shu Han Regime Conquered in 263 by the Cao Wei Kingdom.The Shu Han Kingdom (221–263) - the Southwest Kingdom In 266, Sima Yan (Sima Yi's grandson) forced Cao Huan, the last King of Wei, to abdicate, and replaced Wei with the Jin Kingdom. Cao Wei Kingdom was Succeeded by Jin Kingdom at 266Įventually, Cao Fang was deposed, after Sima Yi forced Emperess Dowager Guo to ally with him. Cao Fang didn't dare to suppress the Sima Family. Sima Yi gained much power and influence and his family grew stronger until it was strong enough to threaten the Wei regime. He then led an army to defeat Cao Shuang. In 249, while Cao Fang and Cao Shuang went to Gaoping tomb to worship the previous emperor of Wei, Sima Yi went to Empress Dowager Guo and requested removal of Cao Shuang's family. Cao Shuang was arrogant and even imprisoned Empress Dowager Guo. When the third emperor of Wei, Cao Fang (reign: 239-254), took the throne at 8 years old, he was assisted by Sima Yi and Cao Shuang. The Wei Kingdom's Demise and the Sima Family's Rise He forced the last emperor of the Han Dynasty to give him his throne in 220 and named his kingdom Cao Wei. Cao Pi Established the Cao Wei Kingdom (220–226 AD)Īfter Cao Pi took over the Wei throne from his father Cao Cao, he suppressed internal rebellions and built up his army. The emperor of Han made him the King of Wei. It took Cao Cao 7 years to conquer the northern area and unite it. When the Han Dynasty was coming to an end, he built up his army and brought other dukes' territories under his control. The Cao Wei regime had developed very fast when Cao Cao was alive, and when Cao Pi established the kingdom, its territory occupied the whole of what was then northern China.Ĭao Cao was born in an official aristocratic family. Cao Cao United the North Under the Wei Regime (201–220 AD)

The 5 kings of Cao Wei: Cao Pi (220–226), Cao Rui (226–239), Cao Fang (239–254), Cao Mao (254–260), Cao Huan (260–265)Ĭao Wei had the largest territorial area and the largest population.

The Cao Wei Kingdom (220–266 AD) - the Strongest Kingdom In 221, Liu Bei named his new kingdom Shu Han, and in 229, Sun Quan took the title of the King of Wu, officially completing the three kingdoms. Cao Pi made Luoyang capital of his new kingdom called Cao Wei, and so began the Three Kingdoms Period. When Cao Cao died in 220 AD, his son Cao Pi forced the last Han emperor to cede power. Han Rule Ended - Three Kingdoms Established China was divided into three regions, but the Han Dynasty lived on tenuously in the north with Cao Cao. The Battle of Red Cliffs and the 3-Way SplitĪt the Battle of Red Cliffs in 208, Liu Bei and Sun Quan allied and beat Cao Cao. The last Han emperor took refuge with regional leader Cao Cao. There were also great court conflicts that ended in much killing of royal clan members, imperial eunuchs and officials, and their staff and guards.

The Han Empire ended with natural disasters and rebellions weakening the power of the court. The Three Kingdoms' Start - The Han Empire's 3-Way Split Characteristics: 60 years of separation, heroes, and battles.Founding Kings: Cao Pi of Wei, Liu Bei of Shu, Sun Quan of Wu.Preceded by the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD).Chinese: 三国时期 Sānguó Shíqī /san-gwor shrr-chee/ 'Three-Kingdoms Period'.There were many heroes and talented rulers during this chaotic period, as the famous novel “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms” depicts. In the Three Kingdoms Period (220–280), China was divided by three regimes: Wei (north of the Yangtze), Shu (in the southwest), and Wu (in the southeast).

Legends of the three kingdoms