Tao Qian's three orders to Xuzhou are based on romance and storytelling, and there is no such record in history books. But historical data does record that Tao Qian gave Xuzhou to Liu Bei. Let me talk about this matter based on relevant historical data. Tao Qian (132-194), whose courtesy name was Gongzu. A native of Danyang County (which governs present-day Xuancheng, Anhui Province).

01

What qualifications does Tao Qian have to give Xuzhou to Liu Bei privately?

Tao Qian was born in Zhusheng, and was later promoted to Maocai. He successively served as the magistrate of Shu and Lu counties, the governor of Youzhou, and Yilang.

In the fifth year of Zhongping (188), the Xuzhou Yellow Turban Army uprising broke out. Tao Qian was appointed as the governor of Xuzhou by the imperial court and defeated the Xuzhou Yellow Turban Army. After that, farming was promoted and production resumed. Tao Qian's management of Xuzhou is still impressive.

In the first year of Chuping (190), the princes of Guandong elected Yuan Shao as the leader of the alliance to attack Dong Zhuo, but Tao Qian did not participate. In the second year of Chuping (191), the famous general Zhu Jun, who was famous for his suppression of the Yellow Turban Army, sent a message to various states and counties to attack Dong Zhuo. Tao Qian sent three thousand elite troops to assist Zhu Jun.

In the third year of Chuping (192), Wang Yun and Lu Bu executed Dong Zhuo. Later, Dong Zhuo's generals Li Jue and Guo Si counterattacked Chang'an and took control of the government. Tao Qian contacted the prefects, governors, and ministers of various prefectures and counties, and the emperor elected Zhu Jun as the grand master. He also appealed to the shepherds to attack Li Jue and others. Li Jue used a trick to summon Zhu Jun to the court, but Tao Qian gave up.

In the fourth year of Chuping (193), Tao Qian accepted the advice of Wang Lang and Zhao Yu, who were in charge of governance, and sent Zhao Yu as an envoy to Beijing to pay tribute to express his support for the Han Dynasty. He was granted the title of General Anton and Xuzhou Mu were granted the title of Marquis of Liyang.

Zhao Yu was appointed as the prefect of Guangling, and Wang Lang was appointed as the prefect of Kuaiji. Quexuan from Xiapi gathered thousands of people and claimed to be the emperor. Tao Qian sent troops to kill him. However, it is also said that Tao Qian and Que Xuan raised troops together and invaded Rencheng in the south of Yanzhou, and later killed Que Xuan because of their rebellion.

Whether this is true or not, in the chaotic period of the late Han Dynasty, the princes with some power wanted to dominate the king. All things are not surprising. At this time, Tao Qian occupied Xuzhou, which had an important geographical location and prosperous economy, and had become a veritable vassal force.

02

The reason and process why Tao Qian gave Xuzhou to Liu Bei.

After Dong Zhuo, the entire political system of the Han Dynasty was completely destroyed, and the Han Dynasty existed in name only. The princes in various places appoint and remove officials on their own. It would be good if they can notify Emperor Xian on the table. The imperial court has lost the control over local places and the power to appoint and remove officials.

Tao Qian had two sons, Tao Shang and Tao Ying. According to the situation at that time, after his death, he could adopt the approach similar to that of Jizhou Mu Yuan Shao, Jingzhou Mu Liu Biao, Yizhou Mu Liu Yan and others. His son will inherit his title, assume his position, and continue to rule Xuzhou.

Since none of Tao Qian's sons served as officials, we don't know their historical data, but it is certainly related to Tao Qian's surrender of Xuzhou to Liu Bei.

At that time, Cao Cao's father, the former Taiwei Cao Song, fled to Langya and was killed by Tao Qian's troops on the way to Cao Cao. Many historical materials have recorded this incident, but the opinions are different. However, Tao Qian couldn't get rid of the relationship. When Cao Cao learned that his father had been killed, he was furious and launched a series of campaigns against Xuzhou.

Tao Qian was defeated in the war with Cao Cao, and most of Xuzhou suffered military disasters, so he died of illness due to overwork. At that time, Tao Qian could not resist Cao Cao's attack, so he asked Qingzhou Governor Tian Kai and Pingyuan Prime Minister Liu Bei to come to help. Liu Bei stayed in Xuzhou. Tao Qian appointed Liu Bei as the governor of Yuzhou, increased his troops, and allowed him to garrison Xiaopei. From then on, Liu Bei joined Tao Qian.

In the second year of Xingping (195), Tao Qian was seriously ill and said to Mi Zhu, "Without Liu Bei, this state cannot be settled."

After Tao Qian's death, Mi Zhu led the Xuzhou people to welcome Liu Bei to take over Xuzhou, but Liu Bei did not dare to accept it. Under the persuasion of Chen Deng and Kong Rong, Liu Bei took Xuzhou. Xuzhou was the place of the Three War, and Tao Qian also died of depression because of the unfavorable war. This was the fundamental reason why he did not pass Xuzhou to his son.

Why did Liu Bei refuse at first but finally accepted Xuzhou?

03

Liu Bei refused to accept Xuzhou not because he did not want it but because he was afraid that people would not accept it.

Historical books generally have a low evaluation of Tao Qian. Both "Three Kingdoms" and "Book of the Later Han Dynasty" believe that Tao Qian "alienated the wise and appointed villains." The wealthy Xuzhou businessmen Mi Zhu and Mi Fang brothers got the job because of their wealth. Tao Qian trusts and respects him.

The reason why Tao Qian magnanimously gave Xuzhou to Liu Bei was because he knew that his sons could not hold it, so he might as well give Liu Bei a favor. Liu Bei has always regarded himself as benevolent and has the ability to become a prince. If Liu Bei becomes the leader, he probably won't treat Tao Qian's descendants badly.

Judging from Liu Bei's subsequent performance, Liu Bei was not unenthusiastic about Xuzhou. Liu Bei prides himself on being a hero and is not afraid of not being able to defend Xuzhou. But when he first arrived, he was worried that Xuzhou's powerful officials and noble officials would not be able to sincerely join him.

With the support of the Mi Zhu brothers, the richest men in Xuzhou, and famous celebrities Kong Rong, Chen Deng and others, Liu Bei was humble and made a good gesture, and he went along with the flow. I won’t say much more about this, but let’s talk about different opinions.

In the first year of Xingping (194), Liu Bei was recommended by Tao Qian as the governor of Yuzhou, with Kong Rong's good friend Chen Qun as his assistant. After Tao Qian's death, Liu Bei was welcomed as Xuzhou Mu, and Liu Bei wanted to go.

At that time, Chen Qun said to Liu Bei: "Yuan Shu in the south is still very powerful. If we take Xuzhou now, we will definitely fight with Yuan Shu. If Lu Bu behind us takes the opportunity to attack our rear, by then Even if you get Xuzhou, you may not have a happy ending."

But Liu Bei didn't listen. After all, the temptation of Xuzhou Mu was too great, so he went east to Xuzhou and accepted Xuzhou Mu.

As expected, Lu Bu took advantage of the battle between Liu Bei and Yuan Shu to attack Xiapi, and finally defeated Liu Bei, captured Liu Bei's wife, and occupied Xuzhou. Zhang Fei escaped, and Liu Bei said the eternal saying "Brothers are like siblings, wives are like clothes".

At this time, Liu Bei remembered Chen Qun's advice and regretted it. Therefore, in my opinion, Tao Qian's decision to give Xuzhou to Liu Bei was not because of his high level, but because no one else was able to defend this place.

Liu Bei surrendered not because he was afraid that he would not be able to defend Xuzhou, but because he wanted to make a sufficient gesture to show his reputation as a benevolent king. Liu Bei never considered overestimating his own capabilities, and he was extremely ambitious.

In the novel, Liu Bei gave up to Xuzhou, as if he had to be forced to wade into this muddy water.

Liu Bei did not accept it, and many people were waiting! During his time in power in Xuzhou, apart from repeated struggles with Yuan Shu, Lu Bu, Cao Cao, etc., he had almost nothing to say and had no positive effect on Xuzhou.

Tao Qian, Mi Zhu and others all allowed Liu Bei to take control of Xuzhou out of self-interest. The people and nobles in Xuzhou also thought that Liu Bei was a benevolent master, so they welcomed Liu Bei into Xuzhou. In fact, there is no fundamental difference between Liu Bei and Lu Bu, Yuan Shu and others.