During the tumultuous Three Kingdoms period, Liu Bei, as the representative of the legitimate Han dynasty, commanded the loyalty of scholars and the affection of the common people. He bided his time, cultivated his talents, and practiced magnanimity and righteousness. His ability to recognize and treat people well, coupled with his strategic acumen and military prowess—as demonstrated in his battles against Lü Bu, his resistance against Cao Cao, his alliance with Sun Quan, and his quest to seek out talented individuals—remain widely celebrated to this day.From a fallen royal descendant to a regional warlord, from weaving straw sandals to waging campaigns across the land—it was Liu Bei's intense self-expectancy that forged his legendary life. The Self-Expectancy Effect The self-expectancy effect, first proposed by renowned American psychologist Professor Rosenthal, refers to the phenomenon where individuals develop profound expectations and beliefs about themselves due to the influence of certain authorities or special ideologies.This expectation and conviction can bolster one's confidence in action, elevate personal standards, and ultimately lead to self-actualization. The self-expectancy effect comprises two components: (1) self-efficacy—the belief in one's capacity for success; and (2) the fulfillment of self-fulfilling prophecies—the intense expectation that one can achieve their ideals.Consequently, the self-expectation effect fosters a certain mindset in action, cultivating a steadfast intention that drives individuals to persevere through challenges without fear. In contemporary terms, Liu Bei was also a master of NLP, having perfected his personal success training to the point where he inspired a group of followers to pursue their dreams of success alongside him.Specifically, NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming (also translated as Neuro-Linguistic Programming in Hong Kong). This theory posits that our attitudes, beliefs, thought patterns, and actions are all "habitual programs." By employing specific methods to refine these repetitive thought and behavioral patterns—effectively upgrading the brain's software—one can achieve self-improvement and growth.NLP is a technique for mental motivation, aiming to teach individuals how to use neuro-linguistic patterns to alter their physical and mental states, thereby achieving continuous self-transcendence. Liu Bei's Self-Expectations According to Records of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei was a descendant of Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan and son of Emperor Jing of the Western Han Dynasty.Orphaned at a young age, he and his mother eked out a living by weaving and selling straw mats and straw sandals. Thus, though Liu Bei was of imperial lineage, by his generation his family had become indistinguishable from commoners, toiling daily just to make ends meet. Undeniably, however, his royal ancestry not only secured him popular support during his later quest for dominance but also laid the foundation for his belief in his own exceptional destiny.Liu Bei's self-perception centered on two convictions: first, a firm belief in his extraordinary lineage and destined greatness; second, an aspiration to shoulder the weighty responsibility of restoring the Han dynasty. As recorded in the Records of the Three Kingdoms, a large mulberry tree stood in his childhood home, its canopy resembling a chariot canopy from afar. While playing beneath it with other children of his clan, Liu Bei declared: "One day, I shall ride in a chariot adorned with feathered canopies."His uncle Liu Zijing overheard this and immediately rebuked him: "Stop talking nonsense! Do you want to bring disaster upon our entire family?" This illustrates that Liu Bei harbored grand ambitions from a young age and held strong expectations for his future.At age 23, Liu Bei joined Zou Jing in campaigning against the Yellow Turban rebels, distinguishing himself in battle and earning the post of Magistrate of Anxi. By 30, he joined the war against Dong Zhuo, striving to eliminate the traitor and restore the Han dynasty.Later, as his influence grew, Liu Bei aligned himself with Tao Qian, pledging to fulfill Tao's dying wish: "Bring glory to the court, bestow kindness upon the people, and establish the monarch's legacy." He eventually served as Governor of Xu Province.issued an edict instructing his father-in-law, Dong Cheng, to conspire with others to assassinate Cao Cao. Upon receiving the secret decree, Liu Bei feigned weakness to escape Cao's camp and sought refuge with Yuan Shao, plotting to unite local forces against Cao. After Yuan Shao's defeat at the Battle of Guandu, Liu Bei then aligned himself with Liu Biao, stationing his troops at Xinye.However, Liu Biao failed to grant Liu Bei significant authority, which starkly contradicted his self-held expectations. During a drinking session with Liu Biao, Liu Bei noticed his thighs had grown thicker while using the restroom. He lamented to Liu Biao: "I have personally fought in countless battles, never leaving my saddle during my military career, and never developed excess fat.Now, having ceased warfare and lived comfortably in Jing Province for several years, I see flab growing on my thighs. Here in Jing Province, I am useless. Having fought half my life, my ideals remain unfulfilled and the realm remains unpacified. I cannot help but sigh and shed tears of sorrow." This shows that even in adversity, Liu Bei maintained high expectations for himself. It was only the harsh reality that temporarily prevented their realization.At age 59, Liu Bei finally secured control over Jing and Yi provinces, proclaiming himself King of Han. Two years later, amid rumors of Emperor Xian's assassination, Zhuge Liang, Xu Jing, Huang Quan, and others petitioned Liu Bei to ascend the throne and restore the Eastern Han dynasty. He thus ascended the throne in Chengdu, retaining the dynastic name "Han," historically known as Shu Han.A year later, driven by the death of Guan Yu, Liu Bei insisted on launching a campaign against Eastern Wu. However, he was successfully repelled by Lu Xun and retreated to Baidi City, where he fell ill and passed away.Throughout Liu Bei's legendary and turbulent life, though he failed to achieve his grand ambitions, his intense self-aspirations endure as a noble spirit. ${FDPageBreak}Liu Bei's Gentlemanly Complex Among the Three Kingdoms' rulers, Cao Cao was notorious for cunning, Sun Quan for fickleness, while Liu Bei is remembered for benevolence.It can be said that Liu Bei embodied the Confucian ideal of "benevolence knows no equal" within his personal aspiration to embody the "Way of the Gentleman," forming his profound gentlemanly complex. This manifested primarily in the following aspects. First, he embraced talent without prejudice and honored the virtuous. From youth, Liu Bei was renowned for his humility and reverence toward others, delighting in befriending heroes and wandering knights, earning the deep admiration of many.After entering the fray for dominance in Central China, Liu Bei's humility and magnanimity deeply moved Tao Qian, prompting him to cede Xu Province out of respect. It also earned the profound gratitude of Xu Shu, giving rise to the saying "body in Cao's camp, heart in Han's realm." As for Liu Bei's treatment of Zhuge Liang, it epitomized the pinnacle of ancient Chinese ruler-minister relations.First, he entrusted Zhuge Liang with significant responsibilities despite his inexperience, describing their relationship as "like fish to water." Later, on his deathbed at Baidi City, he entrusted his son to Zhuge Liang's care and made the astonishing statement, "If I prove unworthy, you may take the throne yourself"—words that transcended the conventional bonds of ruler and subject, revealing his profound trust in the wise man.Second, Liu Bei's benevolence toward his subjects. Early in his career, while repelling bandits beyond the plains, he stockpiled grain internally to distribute to the people. Commoners could sit at his table and share his food without distinction. When Liu Ping, a county official, resisted Liu Bei's governance and sent assassins to kill him,Unaware of the plot, Liu Bei treated the assassin with great courtesy. Deeply moved, the assassin could not bring himself to kill Liu Bei, confessed the truth, and departed. The Records of the Three Kingdoms praised Liu Bei, stating, "Thus he gained the profound trust and admiration of the masses." When Cao Cao pursued Liu Bei southward, the people accompanying Liu Bei numbered over 100,000, with "thousands of supply wagons, able to travel only ten or so miles a day."Someone advised Liu Bei: "We should march swiftly to secure Jiangling. Though we have many followers now, our soldiers are few. How can we resist Cao Cao's army if they catch up?" Liu Bei replied: "Great undertakings must prioritize people. Now that the masses have rallied to me, how could I bear to abandon them?"Thus Zhuge Liang praised Liu Bei: "Lord Liu's extraordinary talent surpasses the world. Holding the lands of Jing, none but submit to his virtue—it is heaven and humanity that guide his path." "As the descendant of the royal house of Yu Zhou, Liu's brilliance overshadows all. Scholars admire him like water flowing to the sea. If his cause fails, it is heaven's will—how could he ever submit to another?"Zhang Fu likewise declared, "Liu Bei commands both awe and compassion, embodies courage and righteousness, and possesses magnanimity and grand vision." Furthermore, Liu Bei demonstrated benevolent loyalty toward his kinsmen and colleagues, upholding the noble principle of never exploiting others' misfortune. In Xu Province, Tao Qian stated on his deathbed, "Only Liu Bei can bring lasting peace to this province."" Thus, Mi Zhu led men to welcome Liu Bei as ruler of Xu Province, but Liu Bei declined, instead recommending Yuan Shu. Only after repeated persuasion by Chen Deng and Kong Rong did he agree to take charge. When Liu Biao died of illness, his second son Liu Cong succeeded as Governor of Jing Province. Zhuge Liang urged Liu Bei to seize Liu Cong and take Jing Province.But Liu Bei, unwilling to act, not only refrained from attacking Jing Province but instead went to Liu Biao's tomb to mourn and pay his respects before departing. Later, upon entering Sichuan and arriving at Fucheng, Liu Zhang personally came out to greet him, and they met with great warmth. At that time, Zhang Song, Fa Zheng, Pang Tong, and others all suggested that Liu Bei seize the opportunity to capture Liu Zhang and take control of Yizhou.Yet Liu Bei rejected their counsel, reasoning that as a newcomer to Shu whose authority had yet to be established, rash action would be unwise. This decision revealed his profound commitment to noble principles—a defining trait in his self-perception. In the tumultuous era of rival warlords, such magnanimity and benevolence were truly exceptional.