Who they were
Guan Yu served Liu Bei from the late 180s. Briefly in Cao Cao’s hands in 200, he slew the enemy general Yan Liang at Baima to repay the favor shown him, then returned to Liu Bei — the episode at the core of his loyalty legend.
What they did
He later held Jing province for Liu Bei. His northern campaign of 219 flooded seven enemy armies and captured the general Yu Jin, but while he pressed north, Sun Quan’s forces seized his base behind him. He was captured and killed in early 220.
Legacy
Over the centuries Guan Yu was deified as Guandi — god of war and, in popular worship, of commerce and brotherhood. The red-faced, long-bearded icon of opera and fiction, he is honored in temples across East and Southeast Asia.