There is something strange about reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms as I get older

There were certainly more than one or two messages that Luo Guanzhong intended to convey through Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Watching Liu Bei, who lives as a gentleman and eventually ascends to the throne despite suffering and frustration in such a harsh world,
I feel that the author is strongly emphasizing the idea that those who live upholding benevolence and righteousness will eventually succeed, even if it takes time.
However, it feels a bit awkward to say this, but if you look at Liu Bei's actual deeds,
he is closer to the typical archetype of a person who could survive in that era—someone somewhat distant from benevolence, ranking perhaps second in terms of betrayal during that period (with Lu Bu being first).
I can't help but feel it is somewhat strange that such a character was used to emphasize those very values of benevolence and righteousness.