China sinks into civil war and chaos after the splitting of the coalition against Dong Zhuo in 192.

Liu Bei, overrun by rebels, moves north to join Gongsun Zan, who is at war with Yuan Shao for control of Ji Province (Hebei) and Qing Province (Shandong).

Gongsun Zan appoints Liu Bei as the Prefect of Pingyuan County under Tian Kai to fight Yuan Shao in Shandong, but is held off by Yuan Shao's oldest son, Yuan Tan, and later loses Gongsun Zan's interest in the area to Yuan Tan.

Yuan Shao's ally, Cao Cao, launches a campaign against Tao Qian in Xu Province in 194.

At this time, there are two opposing alliances—Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, and Gongsun Zan on one side, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Liu Biao the other.

In face of strong pressure from Cao Cao's invading force, Tao Qian appeals to Tian Kai for help.

Tian Kai and Liu Bei led their armies to support Tao Qian.

Despite the initial success of the invasion, Cao Cao's subordinate Zhang Miao rebels and allows Lü Bu to take over Cao's base in Yan Province (present day western Shandong), forcing Cao to retreat from Xu Province.

Tao Qian asks Liu Bei to station his army in nearby Xiaopei (present day Pei County, Jiangsu) and give him four thousand more troops, in addition to one thousand or so troops and some Wuhuan cavalry already under his command.

Thus, Liu Bei deserts his supervisor Tian Kai for Tao Qian.

Meantime, Liu Bei raises troops around the area, and actively builds up connections with influential clans and people of the region.

In a rather short period of time, he has gained the support of the two most powerful families in Xu Province: the Mi clan led by Mi Zhu and Mi Fang, and the Chen clan led by Chen Gui and Chen Deng.

Liu Bei also marries Mi Zhu's younger sister to draw support from the Mi clan.

Upon Tao Qian's death shortly afterwards, Liu Bei secures his position around the area by building up connections and an army.

The Mi clan strongly advocates the governorship be passed on to Liu Bei instead of Tao Qian's sons.

Liu Bei is hesitant and apprehensive about taking the post when Chen Qun tells him that Yuan Shu would contest the control of the province with him.

Liu Bei then consults Kong Rong and Chen Deng, who advise him to switch allegiances and seek confirmation from the leading warlord, Yuan Shao.

Liu Bei finally takes over Xu Province after Yuan Shao recognizes his "succession".

Lü Bu, defeated by Cao Cao in 185, seeks shelter under Liu Bei.

Yuan Shu sends his general Ji Ling with a large army to invade Xu Province in 196.

Liu Bei leads his army to Xuyi and Huaiyin (in Guangling, south of Xu Province) to counter.

They face each other for a month without any decisive result.

Zhang Fei, who has been left behind by Liu to guard Xiapi (capital of Xu Province), kills Cao Bao (chancellor of Xiapi when Tao Qian was still in charge of Xu Province) after an intense quarrel.

Cao Bao's death causes unrest in the city, providing Lü Bu with an opportunity to seize control of the city, capturing the families of Liu Bei and his men during the surprise attack.

Liu Bei returns to Xiapi on receiving the news but his army disintegrates by the time he reaches there.

Liu Bei rallies his remaining men and moves to Guangling, where he is defeated by Yuan Shu.

Liu Bei then retreats to Haixi, Donghai prefecture.

Faced with enemies on both sides and a lack of supplies (Mi Zhu uses his personal wealth to support the army), Liu Bei's army resorts to cannibalism, and finally surrenders to Lü Bu, who recognizes Liu's pledge of allegiance, returns his family as an act of good faith, and orders Liu to help him resist Yuan Shu.

Lü Bu, fearing isolation, obstructs further attempts by Yuan Shu to eliminate Liu Bei.

Liu Bei moves his camp to Xiaopei where he rebuilds his army, gathering over ten thousand men.

Lü Bu becomes concerned and attacks Xiaopei.

Liu Bei flees to Xuchang, where Cao Cao receives him well, gives him some troops, provisions, and an official appointment as Governor of Yu Province.

Liu Bei then reassumes his post in Xiaopei to keep an eye on Lü Bu.