The People of Jingzhou and Xuande
The Romance of the Three KingdomsThis flow traces Xuande’s relationship with Jingzhou’s rulers, residents, and refugees as the province becomes both refuge and contested ground.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Liu Biao Offers Refuge

Kinship Opens a Door
A Place to Rest
Liu Biao receives Xuande because of their shared imperial lineage and allows him to settle at Xinye.
A Conditional Welcome
Lady Cai and Cai Mao distrust Xuande, so his refuge remains vulnerable to court politics and family rivalry.
Liu Qi Seeks Protection

A Son at Risk
A Stepmother’s Threat
Liu Qi fears that Lady Cai intends to kill him and asks Xuande and Kong Ming for help.
A Practical Escape
Kong Ming advises him to take a distant command at Jiangxia. The answer protects Liu Qi without forcing Xuande into an open conflict with Liu Biao’s household.
Liu Biao’s Death

A Province Divided
A Final Intention
Liu Biao intends to entrust authority to Liu Qi and Xuande, but Lady Cai’s faction keeps Liu Qi from reaching his father.
A False Succession
After Liu Biao dies, Lady Cai and her allies install Liu Zong and surrender to Cao Cao. The people of Jingzhou lose their political home without a battle to defend it.
The People Follow Xuande

A Chosen Protector
Refusal to Abandon Them
Xuande moves civilians from Xinye and Fan rather than leave them to Cao Cao’s army. The migration slows his escape.
Popular Attachment
The people insist on following him despite the danger. Their attachment confirms that Xuande’s rule is built partly on a reciprocal bond with those he protects.
Jingzhou Is Lost Again

A Community Divided by War
Guan Yu’s Absence
As Guan Yu campaigns at Fancheng, Lü Meng uses disguise and local disaffection to take Jingzhou.
A Broken Relationship
Some officers surrender after resenting Guan Yu’s treatment of them. The loss is not only territorial: it reflects how command without trust can unravel a community from within.
After Xuande’s defeat at Rang Mountain
Before Liu Biao’s death
During Cao Cao’s advance south
During Xuande’s retreat toward Jiangling
AD 219