Throughout Chinese history, there have been numerous brave and skillful generals who have achieved illustrious military feats for their country. Among them, however, one stands out as the most outstanding general whom Liu Bei failed to recognize and utilize: Tian Yu. Why is this assertion made? This article will delve into the following aspects to analyze the matter.

Firstly, Tian Yu's military prowess cannot be overstated. Tian Yu, styled as Zilong, was a renowned general in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and one of the Five Good Generals under Cao Cao. He had initially served under Lu Bu but later switched allegiance to Cao Cao, becoming one of his trusted aides. Tian Yu excelled on the battlefield, repeatedly achieving illustrious military feats. He participated in numerous famous battles, such as the Guandu Campaign and the Red Cliff Battle, and achieved remarkable results. Therefore, Tian Yu's military talent is unquestionable.

Secondly, Tian Yu's loyalty is also commendable. While serving under Cao Cao, he remained loyal to the country and his lord, offering strategies and relieving Cao Cao's troubles. During the Guandu Campaign, Tian Yu advised Cao Cao to adopt a fire attack tactic, which ultimately led to victory. This loyalty made Tian Yu one of Cao Cao's most trusted generals.

Thirdly, the reason why Liu Bei missed out on Tian Yu as his most outstanding general mainly stems from their uneasy relationship. Prior to Liu Bei's allegiance with Cao Cao, he and Tian Yu had a grudge. Tian Yu had captured Liu Bei's wife, Lady Gan, in a battle but did not harm her. When Liu Bei joined Cao Cao, Lady Gan accompanied him. However, due to this past grudge, Liu Bei harbored resentment against Tian Yu and did not accord him sufficient attention.

Fourthly, Liu Bei's failure to recognize Tian Yu's value had a certain impact on his career. Firstly, Tian Yu's military prowess and loyalty were qualities that Liu Bei lacked. If Liu Bei had utilized Tian Yu, his army would have been stronger and more combat-ready. Secondly, Tian Yu's departure also meant that Liu Bei lost an important ally. Under Cao Cao, Tian Yu was a strong supporter of Liu Bei. If he had remained at Liu Bei's side, Liu Bei would have had a more favorable position in his struggles against Cao Cao.

In summary, Tian Yu was indeed the most outstanding general that Liu Bei missed out on. His military prowess and loyalty were exceptional, but Liu Bei failed to recognize and utilize him due to past grudges. This undoubtedly had a certain impact on Liu Bei's career. Therefore, we can say that if Liu Bei had been able to let go of the past grudges and utilized Tian Yu, his historical status might have been different.

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