u/Domo-d-Domo

In my previous two campaigns as Liu Bei I was able to beat down an overly aggressive Cao Cao so early it led to an extended period of peace where everyone was basically chilling until the Three Kingdoms event triggered.

In one campaign it was basically peace throughout all China from somewhere around 198 to 215 after surprisingly having the option to unify with Cao Cao. The only major war was everyone getting together to beat up on Yuan Shu. Wish I would have screenshotted some diplomacy menus, basically every was in the green with one another. All of China was flourishing lmao. After unifying I quickly punted Cao Cao from court (he eventually landed as an administrator with Yuan Shao), married Liu Bei to Lady Bian, making Cao Pi his stepson. Used Cao Pi to marry Sun Ren into the family then punted Cao Pi after they had a couple kids and when his traits started causing problems. Also made the fearsome Xiahou Dun a humble farmer, sending him on assignment after assignment to improve food production across Shu. Was also able to keep Xu Shu since he never leaves with Cao Cao being gone.