Liu Dai

Biography & Historical Record

Liu Dai (刘岱 / 劉岱, Lưu Đại), courtesy name Gongshan (公山, tự Công Sơn), was Inspector of Yan Province (兖州刺史) from Mouping, Donglai Commandery (东莱郡牟平县). An imperial kinsman descended from Liu Fei, King of Qi, he is documented in Chen Shou’s Sanguozhi (Wei, biography of Liu Yao (刘繇, Lưu Dao)), Fan Ye’s Hou Hanshu, and Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Father: Sanguozhi (Liu Yao biography) names his father Liu Wei (刘韙, Lưu Vĩ), Administrator of Cangwu — not Liu Yu (刘虞, Lưu Ngu) of Youzhou. Earlier site text wrongly linked father to /liu-yu/ with the 汉字 刘舆; the primary SGZ form is 韙. Brother: Liu Yao. Paternal uncle: Liu Chong (刘宠, Lưu Sủng), Grand Tutor (太尉) — no dedicated post; plain text.

Appointed Yan Inspector as Dong Zhuo’s court sought provincial elites (189), Liu Dai joined the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition at Suanzao (190). He killed Qiao Mao (桥瑁, Kiều Mạo) in a grain dispute and absorbed Dong Commandery’s troops. Caught between Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu) and Gongsun Zan (公孙瓒, Công Tôn Toản), he followed adviser Cheng Yu (程昱, Trình Dục) and sided with Yuan Shao.

Novel vs History on death: Historically, in summer 192 he ignored Bao Xin (鲍信, Bào Tín)’s warning, attacked Qing Province Yellow Turbans at Shouzhang, and was killed in action (~age 45). Bao Xin and local gentry then invited Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) to take Yan. In the novel he survives into Cao Cao’s service and appears at Xuzhou (Ch. 22), where Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) captures him and Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) spares him.

Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Chapters 5–6: sixth of the eighteen warlords under Yuan Shao against Dong Zhuo (董卓, Đổng Trác); at Suanzao he kills Qiao Mao over grain. Chapter 22: under Cao Cao with Wang Zhong (王忠, Vương Trung), he invades Xu; Zhang Fei night-ambushes and captures him; Liu Bei treats him courteously and releases him. Returning in fear, he nearly faces Cao Cao’s wrath but is spared through Kong Rong (孔融, Khổng Dung) and Cheng Yu. History ends his life in 192; the novel alone continues him under Cao Cao.

Liu Dai (刘岱, Lưu Đại) — Historical & Literary Timeline

For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Liu Dai on Wikipedia.

Key Relationships

Family

• Liu Wei (刘韙, Lưu Vĩ): Father (SGZ Liu Yao biography) — Administrator of Cangwu. Plain text (no post). Not Liu Yu (刘虞) of Youzhou; do not use /liu-yu/.
• Liu Yao (刘繇, Lưu Dao): Younger brother; later Inspector of Yang who resisted Sun Ce (孙策, Tôn Sách) in Jiangdong.
• Liu Chong (刘宠, Lưu Sủng): Paternal uncle (伯父); Eastern Han Grand Tutor (太尉) — plain text; no dedicated post.

Friends

• Bao Xin (鲍信, Bào Tín): Warned against engaging Yellow Turbans (192); after Liu Dai’s death helped invite Cao Cao to Yan.
• Cheng Yu (程昱, Trình Dục): Advised alignment with Yuan Shao; later served Cao Cao; novel: helps spare Liu Dai after Xuzhou.
• Wang Zhong (王忠, Vương Trung): Co-commander vs Liu Bei at Xuzhou (novel).
• Zhang Miao (张邈, Trương Mạo): Fellow coalition magnate at Suanzao.

Enemies

• Dong Zhuo (董卓, Đổng Trác): Target of the 190 coalition.
• Qiao Mao (桥瑁, Kiều Mạo): Killed by Liu Dai over grain at Suanzao (190).
• Gongsun Zan (公孙瓒, Công Tôn Toản): Alliance rejected after Cheng Yu’s counsel.
• Qing Province Yellow Turbans (青州黄巾, Thanh Châu Hoàng Cân): Killed Liu Dai at Shouzhang (history, 192).
• Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) / Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): Novel Xuzhou capture and spare (not history).

Other

• Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu): Coalition leader; later ally by Cheng Yu’s advice.
• Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): Historical successor in Yan after 192; novel superior during the Xuzhou sortie.
• Kong Rong (孔融, Khổng Dung): Novel: intercedes when Cao Cao nearly executes Liu Dai after Xuzhou failure.
• Fan Fang (范方, Phạm Phương): Gongsun Zan’s envoy/cavalry officer returned when Liu Dai chose Yuan Shao.

Comrades

• The Eighteen Warlords Coalition Against Dong Zhuo