Is “The source basis for Sun Qian's diplomatic missions for Liu Bei” true?
attested in history
Sanguozhi (Shu, biographies of Xu, Mi, Sun, Jian, Yi and Qin) records both embassies and says both achieved their aim: 「先主之背曹公，遣乾自结袁绍，将适荆州，乾又与麋竺俱使刘表，皆如意指。」 Romance of the Three Kingdoms depicts Sun Qian securing these alliances in the same terms — not a fabrication.
Sun Qian
Sun Qian's embassies to Yuan Shao and Liu Biao: the novel agrees with the history.
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